Women think guys with dreadlocks are players

Jay K. Mulungi burst onto the entertainment scene as Ugandan representative in the sixth season of the singing competition, Tusker Project Fame. He is also a founding member of popular music band Undercover Brothers Uganda and an accomplished guitarist. 

Who is Jay K Mulungi?

I am 28 years old and the eldest of eight children.  I am also a singer, song writer, instrumentalist, actor, fashion model and businessman. I have been part of the Undercover Brothers for more than six years and we released our first album titled At Dawn in December 2014. Currently, I am working on releasing my new single called Balikoowa.

Tell us about your music journey?

I started singing in the school choir in primary and by secondary, I was part of a touring choir.  I participated in several singing competitions including Coca Cola Rated Next where I met Timothy Kirya who became my bandmate; Grace Khan and Kenneth Mugabi.

Apart from music, what else do you do?

Besides music, I love fashion and I sometimes work as a stylist. I run a boutique called Fashion Clinik Ug.  I also do some fashion modelling on the side.

What challenges do you face as a Ugandan artiste?

It is very expensive to make a viable music career and maintain it. You need a lot of money for both audio and video production, promotion and branding. Also, financing a celebrity lifestyle without a regular source of income is tough that is why most upcoming artistes never make it and others resort to drugs as a result of frustration. 

Which Ugandan male and female musicians do you admire most?

I admire Bobi Wine, Eddy Kenzo, and Maurice Kirya and for ladies, I am a fan of Vinka.

Is it true that artistes often end up with women from events?

That is a common misconception. Not all artistes are promiscuous. True, there are more opportunities and temptations but how one handles themselves depends on their character. After a gig, many people want to meet you, the onus is on the artiste to keep the meeting innocent or turn it into something else.

What is your favourite feature on a woman?

I am a typical Uganda man, I love bums; the bigger the better.

What kind of woman would you like to date?

I think I would like to meet a down-to-earth, hardworking, mature, disciplined, patient and God fearing woman. I love women who wear no or very minimal makeup.  I am more liberal about hair, I do not mind whether it is natural or treated, as long as she looks good and feels good about her hair.

Are you married?

I am not yet married, I am still looking for the right person.

Is it true that dreadlocked men are popular with the ladies?

I think women like hanging out with dreadlocked men because they tend to be fun and have a relaxed attitude towards societal rules and boundaries. This attitude, however, makes women think they are unserious about life and are players in relationships. Therefore, very few women are available for serious relationships with a dreadlocked brother.  So we are both popular and unpopular.

Tell us about your upcoming projects

Currently, I am working on my maiden album titled Embwa tekamwa and soon, I will be releasing the first single Balikoowa.  This is my first solo project so I am both excited and anxious because this will launch or kill my solo career.