Most of us first got to know Sitenda from her time on Tusker Project Fame 6. The singer, and amazingly talented guitarist has since then morphed into a real music powerhouse blowing us away with her singles such as ‘Ela’ and ‘Without You’. After a yearlong hiatus, she’s bouncing back with a new single titled ‘Hope’ which drops today.
Satisfashion UG had a chat with her on the song, her inspiration and why we need hope in our lives.
What’s your definition of ‘Hope’?
My definition of Hope is Christ. He is the foundation on which my hope is built. His love makes me hope in Him. So when I say that there is hope, it is because there is Christ and those who hope in him shall not be put to shame.
What inspired you to write this song?
I wrote ‘Hope’ during the recent happenings in Uganda. I found that we were responding in discouragement and bitterness, and I wanted to encourage us to look at this situation through the eyes of Hope. That it gets better. That God is still good and is still working in us to make it better. That it is not helpful to give up on our country now and speak negatively into it.
It was produced by Abaasa.
We celebrated 56 years of independence yesterday, was it intentional to drop the song today?
I chose to premiere it after independence because it has to do with new beginnings. Independence Day was a great day on which we were given the authority over our nation. I wanted to remind us that by not giving up on it and being bitter, but instead have hope that it gets better, and to stand in the Strength of God, we (each one of us) can do our part and bring life to it.
How do you plan to promote it, should we expect a music video to accompany it?
There is. It is in the works. Just working on how to release it. You will hear more about it.
Is there a full album in the works too?
Yes! It will be available online soon.
Since TPF, your sound has been mellow. It’s on ‘Ela’ that you had a bit of an up tempo sound. Is this your niche?
Without you and the Ela remix have a very up-tempo sound too. When I write, I don’t think about how I need to make it Commercial. I write what flows from within me. So, it wasn’t a deliberate crafting of a niche. Just the sound that comes out of me. Sometimes that is up-tempo and sometimes it isn’t. It just depends on how it is received.
You have collaborated with Abaasa a lot . Why is it that you haven’t worked with many other artists?
Abaasa! He is awesome!!!!! He is my producer that is why you find that I work with him constantly. He gets me. I have collaborated with Benezeri and Ru as well. And working with a few more people soon.
Do you have a dream collaboration?
Errrrrm, I used to. I have since moved on past that. Collaborating with anyone is good. Artistes have a lot to bring to the table! But if I was given no choice but choose, I would say maybe John Legend.
Do you believe talent shows such as TPF are still relevant?
Talent shows are great. But they aren’t the ones that bring the music powerhouses. Those people are already powerhouses on the inside, way before they go to talent shows. Talent shows don’t help after the show. The onus is on the individual to do something about their craft. So talent shows can expose the talent but in my opinion, they don’t do much after the show is done. Anything you see after that is the work of the individual.
What kind of music are you listening to at the moment?
I have been listening to a lot of Bethel music.
Do you recall the kind of music you listened to as a child? How did it shape the sound you have now?
As a child I listened to a lot of classical music. It is still my favourite kind. It helped shape the creativity (quirkiness) in my sound. I don’t like to stick to one sound all throughout, even in a song, so I will play around with time signatures or complex melodies and the like. All that stems from that classical background
What’s the hardest thing about being an artiste in Uganda’s music industry?
I don’t know anymore. I try to look at things through the lens of positivity, the lens of Hope, so I focus on the good things and ways to get better and speak great truths through my music.
What would you like to say to your fans out there?
You guys are fab. Thanks for all the support. God has great plans for us all, his love is boundless. Let’s hold on to Him, hang out with him, and know him as a friend.
How can they connect with you on social media?
Social media
Instagram – Sitenda_music
Twitter – Sitenda_music
Facebook page – Sitenda
SoundCloud.com/sitenda
‘Hope’ is out now on soundcloud.com/sitenda and will be available on all other online stores thereafter.
satisfashionug@gmail.com
