Failed thrice, now rising up to build solo career

Benjamin Spartos went for three music competitions but never made it to the limelight until he set out to do his music. Courtesy Photo

What you need to know:

  • Persistent. Benjamin Spartos went for three music competitions but never made it to the limelight until he set out to do his music. He talked about his progress to Douglas D. Sebamala.

    As a young upcoming artiste in a city with so much talent, one has to work hard to get noticed. Amidst that pool, he feels one’s hunger to succeed then requires long hours, queuing for performances at open mic sessions, attending many festivals to network in the hope that one person might spot him.

Benjamin Komagum, aka, Spartos is an unsung vocalist, musician, singer/songwriter whose breakthrough is yet to come. He has thrice participated in the music competition in Uganda, only making it to the top 10; despite his brilliant artiste abilities.
Although his undying passion for music seemed to hit a dead end, Spartos is a common face at National Theatre’s Jam Session on Mondays. He also often performs at Milege sessions at Makerere Guest House on Thursdays.
“These have helped me boost my confidence,” the 21-year-old Spartos says, adding, “I loved music from childhood. I used to cram nursery rhymes which I would sing at home. He recalls, first singing at a family friend’s wedding as a page boy. Later, in secondary school, he was given platform to sing Writers’ and Debate clubs and Scripture Union. This would later translate into participation in music dance and drama competitions where he won Best Karaoke pop star award.
Music was the best way I would express my emotions.” Indeed when Spartos opens his mouth, one gets an emotional tingling in the way he pours out his soul his exotic fusion of RnB/Soul. The voice panels through high pitch, seamless soprano and tenor. This gifted vocalist’s music is inspirational with lyrics about life, love and emerging stronger despite struggles.

Singing competitions
From 2013, 2014 to 2015, Spartos entered the Coke Rated Next and Airtel Trace singing competitions but only made it to the top 10 and top 20 respectively. He feels that perhaps he missed top five or winning because he did not give it his best. “Maybe I was not as determined as those that progressed after I left. We all had good voices but they needed more.”
He received criticism which he took rather well and harnessed that power to push himself even harder at his instrument.
“The competitions gave me a hunger to excel at my art, they opened my eyes to a world of people with similar interests and desires. For the first time, I was introduced to live band performance and fell in love with music afresh,” he says.

His band
Soon, he began packaging his brand, forming The Infynite, a band. They performed at University Christian Fellowship and Lugogo Baptist Church events. Later, he joined Freedom Band and then Bulamu Band that performed at Match and Mix Bar and on tours in Jinja.

Music
Spartos’ favourite genres are soft rock, pop and country. No wonder his inspiration has always been Taylor Swift. “The first time I listened to her song Fifteen I was blown away and became an obsessed fan who wanted to sing like her,” he confesses. “I learnt all her songs and covered them at performances. That was before I discovered Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande.”
Spartos has more than 10 songs but has produced only two, Thank you and Depression. Others include I’m in Love with You, Crazy Kind of Beat, The Other Side, Sweet Love, and Love is an Echo. He is also set to release the soundtrack for Toxic City, a film about drugs and addiction.

Refreshing his career
A few months ago, he got signed to Niyabo Records. Under the umbrella base, Nyinomugisha Niyabo Foundation (NFF), Niyabo Contemporary genre trains, mentors and uplifts youth in the Arts, especially in Northern Uganda. When Niyabo first recorded his performance at the National Theatre, it felt like “recording my first single. Even as we wait to release my first music video, things have been moving in the right direction.”
The foundation’s purpose “Striving for Perfection in the arts” is pushing them to see that he excels and takes his talent to the world stage. He is currently focusing on applying for festivals, writing and producing more music.

Family
Born in Kampala, Spartos (Komagum) is an only son, and second in a family of three children. His mother Isabella Makanya, fended single-handedly to raise them.
“The fact that I grew up in a single parent’s home, made me find solace in music. My mother struggled daily to be able to take care of us and through school. So instead of crying about the hardship, we just sung,” he reveals.
As he hums a sultry note, Spartos reflects on the fact that maybe singing runs in the family. Growing up, he often heard his aunts speak of how his mum used to sing in a band, though she shies away from speaking about it. Family has supported him where possible. He was always encouraged to keep singing and often had the chance to perform at different family parties.

Challenges
As a young upcoming artiste in a city with so much talent, one has to work hard to get noticed. Amidst that pool, he feels one’s hunger to succeed then requires long hours, queuing for performances at open mic sessions, attending many festivals to network in the hope that one person might spot him.
Thus the greatest challenge has been finding the right platforms, producers and promotion of his music. “Many times I wasn’t able to cater for my transport to move about to places to network!” And while in competitions he was judged for his musical selections but says he now won’t shy away from challenges in other genres. “Experimenting in other genres can help me gain more experience and get better,” says Spartos.