Hellen Lukoma, a former member of the Obsessions dance group, singer, actress, businesswoman, and mother of two, opens up on music, business, and motherhood in an exclusive interview with Matooke Republic.
How is the music industry?
The music industry is very good. We are getting there
How has covid19 affected your music career?
Covid19 really affected us a lot. We have not been earning, we are not performing, it has really affected us.
You look like a completely different person from the Lukoma you were at the height of Obsessions.
Yes, I am. I am now a sole musician. I am married, I have two kids, I am beautiful and I am happy.
The new haircut looks good on you. Why this particular haircut?
I cut that haircut after my father passed on, you know in our family when you lose your father you must shave your head. So, I shaved because I lost my father.
What did people close to you say about your new haircut style?
They say I look good and I look 16 again.
You are silent in the industry now. Tell us a little about that.
The Covid-19 crisis, as you know. The industry was closed and secondly, I lost my lovely father which really really affected me. However, now I am back and I have been doing a video for my new song which I am about to release. So, I request my fans to get their eyes on my official social media pages which are in the names of Hellen Lukoma.
How do you balance acting, music, and Family?
I balance them well. When it is time for family, I am with my family and when it is time for music, I give it to music. So, I balance it well. However, I love being a mom to my two kids because they light up my entire existence and I genuinely look at them and my heart melts. I love staying up through the night and taking care of them and playing with them. It also means I don’t have as much time for maybe music at this time, but who wouldn’t want to spend time with her kids?
You were in the news after giving birth to your second child. Are you planning to get a third child someday?
Yes, of course, I am planning to have a third and I will.
Looks like you are back to being besties with Leila Kayondo, what had happened between you guys?
There is nothing that has ever happened between me and Leila and we have always been friends and we are still friends.
Why do most local female artists get off the mainstream grid after giving birth?
I really don’t know why because I gave birth and I am still on top.
What would you say was the hardest moment of your life?
Besides the Covid-19 crisis, the death of my Father was the worst moment of my life. It felt like the end of the world.
When people get children, it changes them. How would you say being a mum has changed you?
It didn’t change me. It just made me happy because I love it when I am with my kids because they make me feel happy.
What is your favorite memory?
It was when I was giving birth to my first and second child. Those were the best moments in my life.
Now 32, and having been to the school of hard knocks, what could you say you have learned about life?
I have learnt a lot and I am still learning. However, the most important thing is that you should not be hard on yourself at all. Wake up in the morning with a light heart. Life is difficult, believe in God. However, at my age I have realized that 95% of all the bad days don’t count. I don’t remember them. So just get through it. If it is a bad day, it is a bad day. Not a bad life and don’t forget to work hard as you ask God to bless your work.
What else do you do other than Music?
I sell the best quality kid’s clothes, shoes, and jerseys. I sell them online and I also deliver.
Any unfulfilled ambition?
To have a third kid and a lot of things because I am still young. And I also want to be an ambassador for women. I want to encourage them; I want to be there for women because they a suffering a lot and have no voice to speak for them so I want to encourage them.
Any advice to your fellow local female musicians who are not married?
Don’t rush for marriage because there are no gifts in marriage so wait until you get the right man.