I found magic in the pen for music

Recently, I met a young man during the fresher’s party at YMCA Comprehensive Institute in Wandegeya. He put up an energetic performance and left the audience screaming “encore!” We engaged in a conversation and made an appointment to meet at Q-vibe Studio in Kavule-Makerere. This is where he writes and records songs from.
On arrival at the studio, he had been rehearsing. He led me in and we got chatting.

Who is Benzie?
Ibrahim Kalibwani, aka Branic Benzie, 21, is a singer- song writer. He was born to Godfrey Mulumba and Robinah Namagembe in Bombo, Luweero district. Benzie went to Namaliga Church of Uganda Primary School and Bombo Secondary School for O and A-Levels. He holds a Diploma in Computer Science from YMCA Comprehensive Institute.

Music journey
Benzie sings and writes both secular and gospel music. He released his first gospel song Mukama amanyi, loosely translated as God knows in Senior Five.
“In that song, I encourage people not to shun God because He knows all their problems and is never too late to respond,” Benzie says, adding: “I was given an offer to record my first song by a producer at Nards Studio in Bwaise.”
Benzie says he was excited when the song was played on air on different TV and radio stations for the first time. “I could not believe that the public was listening to my voice.” His second song Kawerege inspires people to work hard in order to succeed.
“I developed the idea after I found youth begging. I felt terrible because they could have done something else for self -sustainability.”

He attributes his good vocals to singing in school choirs. Besides, he listens to David Lutalo’s songs, who he says has vocals similar to his.
On writing songs, he discovered his gift in 2012. This was after Benjamin Kaggwa, a classmate, asked him to write for him a song titled Kisaakye. “I was not sure I could write the song but decided to give it a try,” says Benzie, adding that the task gave him sleepless nights.
Then, two friends took the song to studio and the producer said it was more than fine. “Since then, I decided to take up songwriting as my second career.”

Penning songs
He has written songs for musicians such as Julie Mutesasira, a gospel artiste, Betty Mpologoma and Simon Mirembe.
“I have also written songs for Mary Bata who sings in Cream production of Hajj Haruna Mubiru, ” he adds.
He shies away from telling what he charges for writing songs, but says the price is negotiable.

Benzie could be a new name to some revellers but that is not the case for frequent revellers at Bat Valley Theatre, different hangouts in Wandegeya, Makerere, Bwaise and Kavumba Recreational Grounds in Wakiso District.
The 21-year-old recently released more than eight songs and has so far shot three videos for Kawerege, Mukama amanyi and Hug. Sarai is his newest hit which praises a beautiful, loving and respectful girl. “It is such a lovely melody that you can dedicate to your spouse,” he chips in as he smiles shyly.

Achievements and future
Benzie is proud of being able to pay his tuition. “Through music, I have managed to pay my school fees from Senior Six up to tertiary level.”
He has ventured into poultry and goat keeping.
Benzie says,“I’m working tirelessly to develop my talent. I have also started Uganda Song Writers’ Association (USWA). I believe it will grow my career since it is being joined by other junior song writers,” he notes, adding, that will help fight unscrupulous artistes who steal songs from writers.
Benzie boasts of performing with famous musicians he used to watch on TV. Besides, some musicians have given him advice about music.

Challenges
His biggest challenge is artistes who don’t pay after he has written songs for them.
“It hurts when someone steals my song that I have spent nights working on,” he remarks.
Besides, he lacks funds to shoot videos for his songs. He also complains about some event promoters. “They pay me peanuts because I’m an upcoming musician. There are those who don’t pay me after performing. ”
What others say
“He is young, determined and willing to learn more. He is not money hungry like some writers,” Simon Mirembe, an artiste, says.
Mirembe says Benzie wrote Yesu yantegerera but never charged him much. “I did not have enough money to pay him and he let me pay in installments.
Betty Mpologoma, a musician, says: “I like that gentleman because he is effective and efficient. He cannot disappointment you once you agree on something. He respects people regardless of their age.”
Mary Bata sees him as a fast rising song writer who just needs time to break through. “He has written for me more than two songs which are doing well. They have gained airplay. He is a promising musician and song writer if he remains focused,” says Bata.