I want to be a voice for the voiceless

Omar Mukose is a local artisteknown for songs like Bajikweeka, Sing for Me, a song he sang with Lydia Jazmine, Biliroliro, his very first hit, among others.  Mokose says as a child, he was never popular with his peers. As a consequence, he felt unheard and unrecognised. He now draws on this experience to say what other disenfranchised people would like to say. The artiste talked talks about playing truant from school, music and love.

 1. How did you get into music?

I started doing music two years ago. I released songs such as Bajikweeka, Biliroliro, and Sing for Me, a collaboration with Lydia Jazmine. 

2. Who or what inspires your songs?

I was a voiceless child; uncool and unpopular. I know how bad it feels not to be heard by others so I am using my art to speak for the voiceless.  My hope is that my music can inspire, motivate and unite people.  I want to be a voice of the voiceless like I once was.

3.  Which musicians have you worked with so far?

Spice Diana, Scales, Lydia Jazmine, and Daddy Andre, among others.

4. What effect has the pandemic had on your life and career?

Obviously my income has been affected because of the restriction on shows. However, I am using this time to complete my course from Great Lakes College in Toronto, Canada.

 5.  What do you do when you are not singing?

Apart from studying, my life is focused on music, when I am not singing, I am either recording, writing or doing research for my music.

6. What challenges have you faced in the industry?

There is a lot of judgement, especially about the songs I do. Some songs are said to be older than I am.

7. What is your most vivid childhood memory?

As a child I loved watching movies and music. Since our school was a little far from my home, midway to school I would change from my school uniform, hide it under a certain flower, wear my other set of clothes and go to movie halls. I was caught after some time and I got the biggest strokes of my life.

8. What meal can you comfortably prepare without help?

Boiled eggs and maybe coffee.

9.  What qualities do you look for in a wife?

Religious devotion is very important to me. When a lady has religion in her life, she most probably is morally upright.  We live in compromised times, you need a prayerful partner to help you.  I also look for maturity and intelligence. 

10. What do you do on a first date with a lady?

I prefer the first meeting to be in a crowded public place for personal safety.  You can never be sure who is on a date with you because they genuinely like you or they have other motive; a public meeting protects me from being wrongfully accused.

11.  Would you go with your partner to the  labour suite?

I would. That is one of the most intimate moments in a relationship. When a woman allows you to see them at their most vulnerable moment, it means they trust you, you should be honored.

12. What is the craziest thing you have ever done for a woman?

I once funded a girlfriend to go abroad for a vacation. 

13. Your most embarrassing moment?

One time I was set to go on a show. This was a happy event and as I sang, the DJ played my sad song. I was  embarrassed, as I crossed coolly to remind him it was a happy event.