Tip Swizzy

What is your real name, and how did you get the name "Tip Swizzy"?

Nicholas Mukalazi is my real name. When I started making music, I wanted a name that would last forever, so I came up with "Tip Swizzy." Tip is like a hint, and Swizzy got the idea from a Seventh-Day Adventist pastor who used the word a lot to talk about today.

When did you decide to do music?

I was a Senior Two. I don't remember the exact year, but I always wanted to sing and never wanted to be a pilot or a lawyer.

You were dancing when we first saw you. Why did you have to change jobs?

I didn't switch, but the group I was in was dancing first. For me, music comes before dancing. I just needed to dance to break through, and I also used it as a standard.

Why did you stop working at Big Talent?

Kenzo called a meeting and told me I no longer had to do my job.

How long did you play in Big Talent?

Fünf Jahre.

Wasn't it hard for you to be by yourself?

Before I was fired, I had already planned where I would go next. I had some idea that it would happen, and I had also hinted at it in songs by mentioning the brand. Mozello, a dancer, and my manager are also on the Helicopter label.

How did you make videos and record songs when you didn't have much money from Big Talent?

Frank Jah is my cousin, because his mother is my aunt. He has been so helpful to me in my career. He has helped me with all of my video shoots and audio recordings, and at one point I even worked for him. This is how I've been able to stay in this job.

Tell us about yourself and your family.

I was born in Makindye to Bruce Mubiru, who has since passed away, and Nora Nakasi. I grew up with Frank Jah's mother after they died. I have five siblings.

Share some of your songs with me.

I have many, including Bolingo, Shake Your Body, Nkulungula, Azonto, Kikube, Agaliko, Akabimbi, Bam Bam Shile, and Nyola among others.

How do you work with others?

I did Bolingo, Kokode, Nkulungula, and Shake Your Body with Kenzo. I also did Baby Say My Name with Spice Diana, Stylo with Khalifa Aganaga, Gal You Murder with Dax Kartel, and Give It To Me with Fefe Busi, among other things.

What kind of music do you like?

I am such a versatile musician that I can't even tell you what it is. I can make a song that combines different styles.

Who is your favorite artist to work with?

I love working with artists who have their own style, and most of the time, these are artists who are just starting out. But my favorites are Sheebah and Nutty Neithan.

About four years ago, you were known as "Uganda's Cabbo Snoop." Did that name help you sell your music?

It worked at first because I just wanted to make a name for myself, but now I'm promoting myself as Tip Swizzy.

Do you still talk to Kenzo after you moved away?

We have never talked to each other. But if we see each other, I say "Hi," and he says "Hi" back.

Would you say that he made a big difference in your music career?

It would have been better if he had finished the work. Half of the job was done by Big Talent.

What problems do you have to deal with in Uganda's music business?We don't have a good record label.

There are a lot of talented men in Uganda, but their skills aren't used.

Getting over Kenzo...

WHAT HAPPENED EXACTLY THAT GOT YOU FIRED?

I never signed a contract with Big Talent, but I helped them out because I was a friend. In return, they helped me get ahead in my career. Kenzo asked if we could remix my first song, Bolingo, which we did. I joined the group, sang at their events, and wrote songs with them, but then he stopped caring about me. At events and promotions, he never paid me. I had to pay for my own audio and video productions and transportation, even though I was always with the group and helped them get known. All they gave me was 20,000 or 50,000 shillings.

I also wanted to become a star. After I thought about it, I asked them to always let me know about their shows ahead of time and tell me what they were offering, since I was also making them money. So I didn't play with them on Christmas Day, which I had never done before, and I didn't go to a show they had on Boxing Day. On December 27 of last year, Kenzo called a meeting, fired me, and I started my own label called Helicopter.

EDUCATION:

I went to so many schools that I can't remember all of them. But St. Augustine Primary School, Peace Infant School, and Bethel Primary School are the ones I remember. I then went to Courts High School, Crested High School, and Royal College School to finish high school. Tip Swizzy says that he didn't go to college because the education system in Uganda is a waste of time.