Singer Khalifah AgaNaga has had quite a great year. When many thought his career had hit a snag, he has managed to defy the doubters with a couple of hit songs to his name.
From ‘Kiboko’ to ‘Katono’, Aganaga earned his place on the countdown charts. As he basks in the limelight ahead of his concert, the singer has released a controversial song dubbed ‘Sister’.
Man, you are on fire! What has been the secret this year? You have got hit songs and now a concert!
I put 100% dedication to my talent and I’m not surprised that I have some of the top songs this year. I work hard and I am determined to give my fans the best.
There have been talks that you chose a small venue to avoid a flop.
The first show is a VIP one with a live band experience. Aer Lounge is big enough to cater for the crowd that will come for the show. On Saturday 24 November, I will be in Mukono then the following day at Eden Park in Bwaise. As you can see, I cater for all categories of my fans and I’m sure they will come in big numbers.
Going to the issue that that is trending online; your new song ‘Sister’, why did you decide to make that song in particular?
I don’t only do music for entertainment. I decided to do educative music. Sister is an edutainment song. When you listen to the song you realize it’s about educative issues. It’s not good to put your love affairs to the public.
But in the song, you talked about fellow artiste, Rema. Won’t it cause bad blood between you and the couple; Rema and Kenzo?
(Laughs) No! The song is not about Rema and Kenzo. It’s Rema that sang about her personal life and thus gave us the platform to respond. She made her relationship problems public and AgaNaga is part of the public so I decided to respond.
Many women follow Rema and might take her approach which is not a good thing. ‘Sister’ is about educating people not only Rema but also men and others not to hang their dirty linen in public. I am speaking on behalf of all men.
It is not an attack on Rema or Kenzo. When Rema released the song everyone was talking about it including my girlfriend. No one is perfect but let’s keep our relationship issues private.
Hmmn…there are rumours that Kenzo paid you handsomely to respond to Rema. Is it true?
(Laughs) Kenzo did not pay me. Eddy Kenzo is my personal friend. We even have a collabo; the Katono remix together. He is my friend and when he faces a problem, I feel touched.
After all, what are friends for?
You have been vocal about politics and music. What is your stand on this issue?
I can’t mix politics with music. Politics will kill people’s careers. You are talking about freedom saying everybody has a right yet others are attacked for their stand. We already have fame and I think it’s enough.
We don’t need to join politics otherwise we shall divide the fans. For example you saw the Bobi Wine and Bebe Cool scenario. What if the fans had guns instead of bottles? What if Bebe Cool fans also retaliated?
If we continue like this, Uganda will become like Jamaica which is like the most dangerous country right now because politicians give youths guns to retaliate and we don’t want to get there. This is Africa not America.
Local problems need local solutions not comparisons to America which has over 400 years as a nation yet were like only 53.
What are your top five songs of 2018?
Number one is Kiboko, Katono, Chips Na Ketch Up, Biri Biri and Yankuza at number 5.
Your message to the fans…
Come in large numbers for my concerts.