Looking to make music beyond borders

She loves making friends, laughing and travelling. Fiona Mbabazi is aptly jolly and outgoing, but that is when she is not at work, wiggling and singing before an audience. Mbabazi is one of the gifted vocalists you will see at concerts backing up other artistes or at a school concert where she is part of a dance troupe. Music and dance are her source of livelihood, as a teacher and performer. To a stranger, Mbabazi describes herself as a very determined individual. “I work hard to succeed in everything I do. I don’t give up. When I fall, I stand up and walk,” she says, flashing a smile.

Background

She loves everything about African sounds, dance and fashion. As early as 11 years of age, Mbabazi got exposed to music and dance at home and at church as a member of Sunday school.

For the little girl, it was more about having fun every Sunday. With her peers, they would sing, jump and clap. Beyond the fun, a seed was slowly sprouting.

Nurturing talent
At school, she asked to join the choir and because of her zeal and passion, the tutors chose her as a lead singer and dancer. From then on, this spurred her to grow her talent. She featured in musical and drama productions. She always dreamt of making it on a public stage to expose her abilities to a wider audience. The opportunity presented itself in 2005 when she was allowed to record with Amadinda Cultural Troupe. “It was a big step for me since it was the first time my voice was recorded. With the troupe, we performed at weddings, festivals and in schools across the country,” she recollects.

And beyond the exposure, the performances at different occasions enabled her to develop and improve her artistic skills. Her interaction with musicians in the troupe helped her get better.

Breakthrough
When the ambitious girl returned home after such energetic showcases, she would jot down some lyrics, anticipating to bud her solo project ‘someday’. Over the years, she has managed to record and release music collaborations with the groups she has worked with, Amadinda inclusive. Mbabazi has done five music collaborations. Her songs tackle cultural values, African history and the beauty of the African heritage. She is currently working with Rafiki Productions on her new album. “As a singer and dancer, I want to find a perfect way to merge talents I have managed to develop. I would like my music to appeal to a global audience, a sound that will cross borders and get appreciated around the world,” she explains.

Challenges
For now though, music is not fetching her as much as would make her happy. She says that commercial rewards in music is a dream of every artiste though challenging.

“I have focused on doing what I think is good music, which is not popular in my home country and generation. So, I’m trying to reach a broader audience. I hope that once it reaches that part, it will bring more rewards.” A few people who have listened to her music have shared it at international festivals and schools. She utilises her time to network with people online and mainly abroad. She is optimistic that such people can offer her a platform to perform for a western audience. “Locally, it’s very hard without regular radio play so I do a lot of free showcases to advertise my music abilities. I’m now focusing on getting on to the international music scene,” Mbabazi narrates.

The young artiste is one of many female artistes trying to breakthrough in a male-dominated industry. “Most instrumentalists and producers are male and so it becomes hard to direct them in a way that I wish to go but I’m learning how to make that work. Not having personal finances to run my projects is also very challenging,” she further explains.

When Rafiki Productions signed her and started to support her, they introduced her to international
agencies which, they hope, will connect her to international music tours.

QUICK NOTES
Music has become Mbabazi’s alternative career after graduating with a diploma in business administration from Multi-tech but could not find a job. Initially, her parents were not fully in support of her pursuing a music career as they wanted her to focus on school and further studies. “I’m still trying to live to the challenge of making a successful career,” she says albeit optimistically. Mbabazi has two siblings, a sister and brother with whom she was raised.