Street performers in Uganda are creative singers who sing for anyone that can pay attention to them and pay any amount of choice.
Of late, a one Shafik Bale alias Materio Music has been trending on social media for his catchy street performances. He charges between Shs50k and Shs100k, in case you want him to surprise your loved one.
Matooke Republic sat down with the 27-year-old for an interview about what makes him a special talent.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Shafik Bale, and my stage name is Materio Music. I was born on November 27, 1993, in Mbarara. I grew up in Mbarara and studied there from nursery to secondary level, where I stopped in senior four and started my hustler journey to Kampala.
How did you come up with the concept of performing on the streets?
I was denied a microphone in nightclubs, so I had to look for a way to enter the music industry, and that’s what came to my mind after seeing lots of kadongo kamu street performers. I decided to do the same but with a different kind of music.
What is your schedule like, or do you just wake up and go to the streets?
I just wake up and decide on a street to perform on, e.g., Nasser Road, and another day, another street.
For how long have you been doing this?
I started in 2017, it’s now five years.
Do you seek permission from local authorities before invading the streets?
I don’t seek any permission, I just go on the streets and express my talent. By the way, there are even some police officers who enjoy my vibes. Others hire me on birthdays and baby showers.
Have the police arrested you before for gathering crowds?
Yeah, earlier this year I was arrested and I was in for one day, but it was understandable that the city situation was shaky because of bomb attacks.
How much do you earn a week on average?
I earn around Sh250k a week, though there are weeks I earn even more.
Do you have plans to record your own songs?
I have already an album of songs recorded and uploaded on my music channels and the album is called “The Streets Made Me”. My album has songs like “No Stress,” “Hajjat,” “Mukyamu, etc.
What was the most wonderful audience you’ve had as a street performer?
The craziest audience is the street vendors. Their vibe is priceless and unstoppable.
What was the weirdest audience you have had?
An uncomfortable audience is when you meet negative people who want to pull you down, but with a strong heart, you prevail.
What are some of the challenges you face?
Some people think you’re “chewing” their girlfriends when actually you don’t even know their names. They just enjoy your music and give you dubs.
What is the most important thing you want to achieve as a street performer?
I want to be the biggest of all time in African music.
How do they get you in case they want you to perform for them?
My number is always on my speaker and social media platforms.