Interview

Spice Diana Talks Music, Fashion, and The One Thing She Would Never Wear!

By Lyn Atwiine | March 5, 2021

Spice Diana is undeniably a force to reckon with in the music industry today. With consistency, vitality and the intent to take on the world, she’s been able to grow into one of the top players in the business. While music is her forte, the star is also a formidable fashion star.

She and I met at Casa Deroy in Bugolobi, during a photo shoot. Surrounded by different artifacts, the singer lit up the entire place, sharing jokes and excitedly looking forward to her outfits. It was a beehive activity as she coordinated her glam team, which included; renowned celebrity hairstylist Mbajja Sean, award-winning makeup artist Saida Beauty, and the indefatigable Abbas Kaijuka of Kai’s Divo Collection.

Between takes, I got to chat with her about fashion, the pandemic and more.

At what point in your life did you fall in fashion?

I’ve always been a fashion girl. I believe I fell in love with clothes and art as a child. My mum tells that I when I was a child, she would dress me in all sorts of ways; sometimes like a boy but always outstanding. When I got older, I fell in love with art. I enjoyed drawing; I would literally draw everyone at home, from my siblings to my mum.

It’s not surprising that I did Industrial Art and Design at school. I was so much more into drawing and painting until I got to University, then I was already ‘Spice Diana’. I had to choose something to do that would help me with the music, and that was fashion. You know when you have art in you, fashion comes naturally. Fashion is now like a full time job – I’m doing it in my music videos, at concerts – everything around me is now art, music and fashion.

You seem to have a crazy style sense. Is there a limit to the things you can wear?

No! I have no limit when it comes to style, as long as it’s outstanding and unique. I have this belief that when it comes to art, even an error is art. Anything can make you look unique, as long as it’s styled uniquely, with a story woven within it. I have a feeling I can wear anything actually. It’s a combination of passion and confidence. If you have those two, you can wear anything. Sometimes people have body insecurities, which limits their options in terms of what they can and cannot wear – I’m lucky I don’t have that problem.

You’ve had a slew of standout fashion moments. Which one is the most memorable to you?

I remember the first time I was on a big red carpet, that was the Abryanz Awards in 2018. I wore a full on neon-green dress. It’s a great colour, however, wearing it head to toe, with all the detail the gown had, was not for the faint of heart.

As I headed to event, I couldn’t help myself worrying whether I had done way too much. It was daunting to be honest. But, I was like, “it’s all good, as long as it’s outstanding.” I knew everyone was going to have something to say about the look, and indeed, it happened. I took the courage and had a good time on that red carpet! It’s one of those fearless moments I cannot forget.

Let’s talk about the pandemic. What impact has it had on you?

On the positive, I got to learn a lot during this time. I learned to be frugal; I learned to save even more. I also went ahead to become even more creative with ideas on what I can do besides music. If I wake up one morning and I’m no longer a stage performer, what can I do? Soon, I will be unveiling those entrepreneurial ventures to my fans.

The negative, we (musicians) have been out of work for really long. Concerts, which are our biggest source of income, are still banned up until now. Many artistes have not been able to earn in months. There’s pressure that comes when an artiste gets to the level that I am on – you have to stay relevant regardless of the challenges. I have to keep releasing new music, shoot great music videos, yet we aren’t earning. It becomes challenging. A full year with no income us quite rough to be honest. Unlike other artists, I’ve tried to release music, but still when I look at the performance of the songs on YouTube, it’s not good. It’s not the same.

I would think this would be the perfect time for fans to watch your videos, not so?
Same here, because they are home. However, it’s a different story. It’s not just us who were hit hard, even our fans have been out of work. Someone is crying for what to eat, how do you expect them to find money to find data to stream music?

How have you coped?
As someone who is blessed, there’s always a way, if you believe and keep pushing. I remember when I released my first song during lockdown, I was worried about how it would perform, and then, I’d have nowhere to perform it, no stage, no promoter was going to pay me to perform, but I didn’t stop. And then endorsements came in!

Endorsements have really been a real blessing to me. Friends as well. They’ve been there for me. There has also been continuous support from my fans, so I’ve got some small gigs, private parties, weddings, birthday parties, that’s how I’ve managed.

Where are you at currently as a person:
Well, the year has just started but not so well because of the elections, there has been so much pressure from fans to voice our opinions on politics. Your hands are tied because you want to appease your fans but also, there all these brands you represent, which prefer that you keep away. Sometimes it’s also beyond your control, you can’t really know what’s happening, so you can’t just come out and make comments. Fans have been putting so much pressure on us, followed by boycotting music and success artistes.
Fans need to understand that as entertainers, some of us would prefer to maintain our impartiality because we have fans from both ends of the spectrum.
In fact, you just saw the MAMA awards have just been postponed, because of the same tension in the country. So, initially, I had no thoughts about releasing new music. But, because I love being persistent and I’m not stopping. I’m going to release a video next week, and it’s dope; it’s a collaboration. We gave it a lot of time and invested in so much. That’ll be my first release of the year.

How do you strike that balance between appeasing fans and the business?
You just keep doing what you’re supposed to do, at the end of the day I’m a musician, I’m not a politician. I’ll say something if I’m supposed to, but there are limits. I can’t voice my opinions on politics, even as much as my fans would prefer that I do.

Do you ever feel pressured to make music deemed commercially viable?
I’ve never been on pressure to release a certain kind of style of music. I’m just me. I already know what my fans want. I’m at the point in my career where I’m not chasing ‘hit songs’. It’s been 6 years years in the game. There are lots of great artistes doing great things, you can’t be them, you are you – so stick to that.

Where do you see yourself in the future, maybe 5 years from now?

I see a successful entrepreneur. Music, yes, will always be there, but you know, as I get older, I might not really be as competitive as I am now.
I’m looking at investing in businesses I’m passionate about, especially music and fashion.

I just pray that God gives me life to be able to fulfil all these endeavours. I’m working harder, I’m working smarter; 5 years from now, at least, I should be on a different level.