Dating a friend makes love easy

What you need to know:

  • Love at first sight. Paul Katumba, popularly known as Legend P, is a music producer.
  • He fell in love with Jemimah Sanyu the first time he laid eyes on her.
  • This was during a music show in Nairobi.
  • They did not say much to one another but P was bent on pursuing her.
  • He did just that.
  • Eight years later, they are planning on making their relationship official.

Her story

How would you describe yourself?

I am a live performing artiste. I have performed at various international festivals, including Selam and Bayimba, among others. This is alongside Band Unit 446.
We also perform at Pyramids every Wednesday, Lake Victoria Serena Resort on Sundays and at Liquid Silk every last Saturday of the month.

When was the first time you saw Legend P?
It was in Kenya, in 2006.

What was your first impression?
He was very quiet and shy.

What was your first conversation like?
It was very brief. We were in a matatu (taxi) heading to some single girls’ school for ministry.
He asked me if the big afro I had was my real hair, I said yes but it was a lie.
Then he asked me for my mobile phone number. I gave it to him ; mine and my brother’s.

What drew you close?
He was a good listener. He seemed to enjoy everything I did and said. And he respected me.

Were you single at the time?
No. I was seeing someone till 2007 but he waited for me for two good years till 2009.

What challenges have you faced as a couple?
Media. They always write wrong things about us. Money is one of our challenges. The kind of jobs we do are very expensive. The professional equipment for the band costs more than Shs50m. There is another hustle of maintenance. Tickets and visas for the band when travelling for festivals is another challenge. There is also balancing studio, band, our farm and home. It’s crazy.

His story

How did you feel the first time you laid eyes on Jemimah?
At first sight, I didn’t tell her anything but I told a friend that I liked her.

When was this?
It was around April in 2006.

What was your first meeting like?
Just saying hi, nothing much.

Did you fall for her the first time you saw her?
I liked her from the first time but I feared to tell her because she was speaking God, God…

How did you finally approach her?
We became best friends but I kept telling her how I felt and she was taking it for a joke.

What got you falling in love with her?
I saw a girl and I liked her but when I saw her dancing I wanted to change my mind. She was a little bit crazy.

After how long did she agree to date you?
We started being serious around 2009.
Were you single at the time?
When I met her, I was single. I dated someone but not for long. I then became serious with her. That’s the time we were good friends.

Was this with Ann Whitehead?
Yes.

How was your relationship with her?
I guess like any other relationship.

How different is dating a white lady from an African one?
Yiiiiii Edgar, I didn’t date her for long to know.

Do you live with Jemimah?
Yes. It is now eight years

Have you formally visited her parents?
We plan that for October this year

Has music or the fact that you’re her manager affected your relationship?
Maybe music had affected us positively because we spend more time together and we have done so many projects together. I am not her manager. I am just her boyfriend who knows about music.

Who is her manager?
She has no manager at the moment though there is a record label in Germany called Delicious Tunes that is interested in her

Tips

How did you balance love and the fact that he was your music manager?
Things have worked out automatically because we have been in the same industry for the past seven years of our relationship and we are both learned, so we always find a way to make ends meet no matter the challenges.

How do you balance career and music?
I have a big time table in the house.

How do you draw it up?
We always get corporate bookings for the band earlier plus the regular gigs and rehearsals. So I always use the few free days to do the rest of the work. But Legend P is always in the studio Monday to Friday till 5pm. He always finds a way to fit in. We are a couple with a tight timetable.

When do you spend quality time away from work?
It’s rare. We always plan for a big holiday every beginning of the year just after the festive season.
We have gone to Jinja most of the times because it’s nearer and convenient for us to get back to our usual routine.

What advice can you share with young cohabiting couples?
Dating a friend makes love easier. And planning as a couple grows your relationship. No matter how little you get, save for something.
Learn to be friends and respect your partners’ family and friends.