His song, it’s okay, has appeared on almost all the notable and influential top ten lists of the year 2024, yet Acidic Vokos is still a newbie in Uganda’s music industry. In this interview with Baz Waiswa, the editor of Busoga Times, Acidic Vokos narrates his music journey and why it is important that musicians in Busoga should tap into the Kampala market.
Who is Acidic Vockos? Tell us about yourself and your music journey so far.
I am Acidic Vokos. Kakaire Mutwahilu is my real name. I was born in a village called Namanumya in Busembatya, Bugweri district, formerly part of Iganga district. I grew up in Busembatya and Namutumba. I studied at Namanumya Primary School and Downside High School.
When I dropped out [of school], I started my music journey. I was in my senior four (O’ Level) vacation when I recorded my first song, though it wasn’t that popular. Then I joined the music and audio production. I was still in Namantumba when I joined audio production.
Then I had to go to Jinja. I got a chance there; one of the biggest studios in the east called me, and they told me, Acidic, we can work together and do other music productions. I studied audio production. I was studying and working as well.
From there, I got my breakthrough via TikTok with the song “nkulinako Crush.” It went viral, and I used that chance. I came to Kampala and got this management that I’m having right now. We had a peaceful talk and a peaceful transition of power from the other guy to this management that I’m having right now called Mama Baba Entertainment.
What inspired you to choose a career as a musician and performer and not any other career?
When I was a kid, I had a passion for music, and I tried to look up to these big artists. I used to admire the likes of King Saha, the late Moze Radio, and many others, and I was inspired. At first, it was just bandwagon, and group influence. But later on, I started seeing this as a job, and I loved it.
What are some of the challenges you have encountered as a rising music maker?
At first, things were tough. No one would even believe in me. Everyone would look at me like I was a thief. I was a rastaman, shabby, with no money, just trying; you know that kind of stuff. And after getting the breakthrough, man, still, things are tough. You lack connections. People look at you and say, now this one. No one can even believe in you.
So things are really tough. Sometimes you go somewhere to perform, and they call you down. They tell you, please leave the stage. You want to perform, and things don’t go the way you actually wanted them to go. And you fail to perform. You fail to carry the stage. Things are tough!
Not many musicians in Busoga have transitioned to base in Kampala; how have you managed to successfully achieve this?
It seems that if you’re in Jinja or any other part [that is not Kampala], things cannot go your way. First put it in your mind that Kampala is the capital city. Everything starts from here, and then it goes to other regions.
When I got that breakthrough, I had to shift from Jinja to Kampala so that I could use every single chance that came my way. In Kampala, we have many radio and TV stations. Many stakeholders in this industry are here in Kampala. I had to shift and use every single opportunity I could get.
From your knowledge of the industry and your experience as an artist, why does Busoga music fail to cross Busoga borders?
It is not that the music is bad for it to cross borders; sometimes it is us, the artists, who are the problems. We lack the confidence to come and reach out to people who can really help us. We fear these people.
If you chase that fear, your music will cross [borders] because we have good productions that side [Busoga]. We have good producers, good artists, and good music. It can really cross borders, but the problem is artists who lack the confidence to come and talk to these people who can help us.
You can see, Roo Ya Simba, he is my elder in the music industry; actually, he is my father [uncle]. His song nzila crossed from Busoga to this side in Kampala. So you can see that the problem is the artists. We should wake up and do the right thing because we can do it.
Some people say you’re shining because you crossed to Kampala and started singing in Luganda & English; how true or false is this insinuation? Should other artists consider migrating to Kampala?
It’s true. When I changed the language, things started changing for good. Still, I didn’t run away from my language. It can also work for others because it has worked for me. Singing in Lusoga gave me many endorsements, but business-wise, I said, let me go to Kampala and tap into another audience.
What advice would you give a young artist starting out as a musician in Busoga?
The first thing is that everyone should believe in himself or herself. In whatever you are doing, you should believe in yourself. Believe that you can make it. You can actually achieve whatever you want.
And endeavour to avoid negative minds because negative minds will always and only set you backward. But if you have positive minds, you will always go forward. There is nothing for free. Work hard. Don’t say that someone will come and run everything for me. No. First do something for yourself. Then people will support you.
What are some of the achievements you have registered since you started the music business?
I have achieved many things. I’ve got many good friends just because of music. I am famous just because of music. And I have my personal achievements, which I cannot tell you here just because of music. My first attempt to fly out of the country was because of music.
You sing about love, and some of these songs are lamentations that indicate a mistrust in love; your encounter with love and relationships must not be a happy one—are you dating someone?
This is a business, and I am an artist. I sing about many different situations and things. It’s not that whatever I sing about, I am in that situation. I am not in love right now; I am not seeing anyone, but I wish that very soon I will be seeing someone, Inshallah.
The Kyabazinga appointed you as the tourism ambassador. How are you using your stardom to execute this ambassadorship?
My role as an ambassador is to show other people in other regions how beautiful Busoga is and to make sure that people get more attracted to coming to Busoga because we have many beautiful features. My role is to bring others on board and to make my region shine, which I am doing.
What are your future plans in terms of music, personal growth, and your Busoga region, your home?
I want to set a trend. I really want to make records, and I have started. In just two years, I staged a concert at Lugogo Cricket Oval, and it was fully packed. I still have many wishes, and I really believe that with God and people, I will fulfill my wishes.
