Winnie Nwagi is Winning!

From a budding-singer whose indubitable talent was spotted during a reality TV singing competition, Winnie Nwagi has blossomed into a very powerful brand with a string of chart topping hits under her name, and a whole new persona. Now, as what she believes could be her biggest year yet takes shape, the singer talks to Lyn Atwiine about collaborations, criticism and consistency.

Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect before I met Winnie Nwagi. Judging by her larger than life persona on social media, I was quite intimidated. However, I was also curious to find out if she really is ‘the girl who gives zero f..s’.

When she finally arrived for the photo shoot held to accompany this story, she walked in gracefully, with her voice, a raspy, sensuous tone that drew attention from everyone at the studio, preceding her. I couldn’t help but crane my neck and peep to see for myself. When she entered the room where the whole glam team had converged, she enveloped the space with her aura, which I can best describe as a cocktail of playful and laid back. She greeted everyone in the room and didn’t waste time tossing her wig off and heading into the changing room to try on the looks for the shoot.

So much was happening at the same time, so I decided to station myself in a corner and watch. The whole project being a collaboration between Kai’s Divo Collection, Makeup by Kamara, Natna Natural Hair, Satisfashion UG, Isingoma Sam and Manzi Rolland, I wanted to see if she would fit into the mould. Considering she hadn’t worked with a number of these brands, I also wanted to see if she would be the unbearable diva, demanding for things, after all her song ‘Jangu’, whose video had been released just days prior to this shoot, was ruling the airwaves.

Nwagi is definitely not the type! She squealed with joy when Kamara Adrian of Makeup by Kamara popped open champagne and handed her a glass as she settled into his makeup chair. For the most part she was calm and collected, occasionally joining in with the jokes her friends were cracking. Unfazed by the stardom that hovers over her, she blended in really well, making the photo shoot a complete success.

After the shoot, she and I had exactly 8 minutes to chat, time that I thought wouldn’t be enough to exhaust all the burning questions I had, but like I said, she’s not the type, and I mean the type that never shares. See our chat below.

Are you ever afraid of doing collaborations?

Never! I’m always excited about collaborations, whether it is a song, a video or a shoot. Bringing together all this energy from all these different people gets me very excited, and equally challenged.

What are some of those collaborations you jumped on did magic?

Songs?

Yes

Quite a number, but these stand out. Fire Dancer with Slim Prince, Yita Yo with Chozen Blood and Amaaso with Vinka.

Any dream collaboration?

Yemi Alade. Locally, it’s easy but Yemi Alade it is.

As an artist who works with lots of collaborators, how do you put your team together?

I have a very huge team, and very professional too.Sometimes I also share ideas that inspire me, sometimes I’m inspired by other artists and I get what to copy from, I copy some art from other artists, then I share with my video director. It’s always team effort.

I have a few that I trust, a few video directors, makeup artists, stylists. For example, I have one stylist that I trust for my videos and photo shoots. Also, they should be able to vibe with me; I can’t work with you if we don’t connect, then it won’t work. If we connect then we can do something good. If you’re not bursting out of your shell, nothing will come out. Like my glam squad, I work well with them they’re my friends, we joke around, we fight, we are like family. It’s not always about the serious stuff, we play around and are good friends.

Your new music video for ‘Jangu’ is super-hot. How did you guys put this concept together?

It makes all the hustle that goes behind the scene worth it when you hear all these reviews of a project. The fashion, well that was Kai’s Divo Collection, but the last outfit was my idea – everyone was against it but I trusted my gut and went with it. I wanted to be the “fire baby” that I am, and the outfit represented that. The dance production was put together by Valentino, who brought a whole vibe to the project.

2020 has kicked off on such a high note for you. What are your plans for the rest of the year?

Finally, I want to do a concert for my fans. I have lots of badass music in a works. A new album actually. But details will be revealed when we are ready to share them.

Talking about fans, you’re never afraid of hitting back at social media trolls.

I don’t give a damn, nobody can tell me what to do in this industry, I know what I came to do. It doesn’t affect me anymore, although it used to. I would cry and get very frustrated. But not anymore. Now I just look on, I know how to handle them at least. Sometimes I ignore, sometimes it gets out of control, and I deal with them in my own way because I cannot tolerate disrespect. Sometimes fans overstep their boundaries, so it’s okay to put them in their place.

Your workout videos inspire me a lot. When did you start working out?

I started before I gave birth to Destiny, my daughter. In fact,that’s where I met her father. It has been my lifestyle since then, it’s been about 6 years.

How do you stay motivated and consistent?

I just love it. If I’m not working out, I feel terrible. I’ll feel heavy or unfit. I have to be fit. If I don’t work out, I won’t have the kind of energy I need to have on stage.

What’s the best part about being an artist?

First of all, I’m an outgoing person, I love going out, I love music. I enjoy the fact that that’s my job. My favourite part about being an artist is that I’m an artist! I’ve always loved music, and all that goes with it, the photo shoots, videos, and the lifestyle. I love it all.

You have a pretty tight schedule. How do you unwind?

On an ordinary work day, I have no time to relax until I get home. Besides that, I go out with friends. If there’s a concert in town, my friends and I will head out to have fun.

Let’s talk beauty, what’s your skincare routine?

Haaa skincare, I don’t do anything with my skin, like right now I have makeup on, yeah? When I get home I will just wash it off, moisturize and that’s it. Maybe the next day I can decide not to wear makeup, head to the gym and steam later. It makes my skin glow.

Any specific beauty hacks you swear by?

I don’t know what to tell you, I truly don’t do anything special with my skin. I don’t do anything.

One thing you can’t leave the house without..

My perfume. I won’t mention the brand though; I don’t want to share it hahahaha.

This is random! Who is your favourite makeup artist?

Hahah that’s when I will run away…. Bye…

This story is part of ‘Woman of the Month’, a series celebrating women who are brave in their stance, a collaboration between Kai’s Divo Collection, Sam Isingoma,Makeup by Kamara, Natna Natural Hair, Satisfashion UG and Manzi Rolland.

Story by Lyn Atwiine

Photographed by Manzi Rolland

Retouched by Mark Bwiire

Styling by Abbas Kaijuka of Kai’s Divo Collection

Makeup by Adrian Kamara of Makeup by Kamara

Hair by Sina of Natna Natural Hair

Creative Direction by Sam Isingoma

atwiine@satisfashionug.com