Wiz Kaka Talks Music, Growth, and the Future of Ugandan Music

Mwesigwa Joshua sits down with the talented artist Kakaire Deric, better known as Wiz Kaka, the African Elephant. Fresh off a double release—’Neera‘ and ‘Terikuninza’—Wiz Kaka is making waves in the Ugandan music scene, boasting impressive numbers on digital music streaming platforms and showcasing his unique sound. Join us as we explore his creative journey, dive into the inspiration behind his latest tracks, and discuss what it means to be an artist in today’s dynamic music landscape.

Welcome, Wiz! While I know a lot about you from Google, I’d love to discuss what’s not online. When did you start making music, and who inspired you to pursue a music career?
2018, I have liked music since I was young, but I was inspired more by Wizkid, especially in ‘Slow Down,’ where R2Bees featured him.

What drives your passion for music, and what message do you aim to convey through your art?
My love for music drives my passion. When I engage with music, I am dealing with something that brings me peace and joy.

The message I convey most in my music is joy and happiness. It may not always be expressed verbally, but the overall expression is one of joy and happiness.

Who are those people you look up to in the music industry, and why?
I love the way Western musicians create their art, and I admire prominent West African artists, especially those from Nigeria, such as Adekunle Gold, Burna Boy, and Wizkid. When you add Chris Brown into the mix, along with many other U.S. artists, it makes for an exciting combination!

How do you think the Ugandan music business has evolved in recent years, and how have you adapted to these changes?
Ugandan music has evolved in response to the preferences of our fans. While all forms of art remain important, today’s music is more focused on what feels good and resonates with people’s emotions. Ugandans have embraced diverse genres like Afrobeats, and Amapiano is quickly gaining popularity too.

To adapt, I’ve been exploring these sounds and expanding my presence on digital platforms to reach a wider audience, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. My music emphasizes emotional connections, reflecting what listeners seek today. I also plan to collaborate with both local and international artists to broaden my reach. Additionally, I use my platform to connect with fans and understand their tastes. It’s that simple.

What do you know about the economics of the music industry, and how do you plan to fully monetize your music to maximise your music revenues?
Today, it’s clear that music is a business—we invest money and put in significant effort, so we need to see returns. In terms of monetizing my music, it’s already available on almost all major platforms, including Spotify, Boomplay, Apple Music, and Tidal. Shout out to Nymy Media for making that possible! We’re also eagerly awaiting the activation of Ugandan copyright laws to further protect our work.

How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and developments?
I stay active on media platforms by keeping up with other artists’ music. One thing about me is that I choose to learn every day, drawing inspiration from those who came before me and from those who have achieved great success.

What are your thoughts on the role of AI in music creation and production?
I believe that technology is constantly evolving, and human life adapts to new inventions. AI is the latest advancement, and I think we can leverage it for better music creation, production, and promotion. Therefore, I see music AI as a positive development for our industry.

How do you think AI will impact the music industry in the next 5-10 years?
First and foremost, what I understand about technology is that it simplifies life. I believe that creating music and everything associated with it will become easier with the help of AI.

How do you think Ugandan music fits into the global music landscape, and what opportunities or challenges does this present to you as an artist?
Ugandan music is still in a growth phase compared to the global scene, but it’s progressing rapidly. One of the opportunities in our industry is that audiences are open to a wide variety of musical styles, with the youth being our largest demographic. They are eager to explore different genres, which presents a great opportunity for artists. However, the biggest challenge we face is poor or expensive communication. Promoting music effectively, whether on television or radio, requires significant resources and these high costs often result in our music being inadequately promoted to consumers.

What are your thoughts on the impact of streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Boomplay on the music industry? How do you approach playlisting, and what strategies have you found most effective if any?
Streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Boomplay have really changed the game for us musicians. They make it so much easier for fans to share our music with the world and discover new sounds. This access is a huge opportunity for us to connect and grow our audience.

When it comes to playlisting, I focus on getting my tracks into playlists that resonate with my vibe and target listeners. I love collaborating with playlist curators and using social media to promote my music. It’s all about building those connections and getting my sound out there. Streaming has truly transformed how we create and share our art today.

What are your thoughts on distribution deals versus 360° deals for artists? Have you had any experiences with either type of deal?
When it comes to distribution deals versus 360° deals, I believe the choice depends largely on where an artist is in their career. For an artist who has already established themselves and invested in their music, a distribution deal is often the better option, as it offers more control and ownership over their work. However, if a record label is starting from scratch with an artist, a 360° deal might make more sense.

In my opinion, distribution deals are healthier for artists because they retain more rights and can earn a greater share of the profits. With 360° deals, labels often take a larger cut, which can slow down an artist’s progress due to financial constraints. I haven’t signed either type of deal; I’ve been managing everything independently with the help of friends.

How has TikTok influenced Ugandan music and your music? What opportunities or challenges has TikTok presented for artists in Uganda?
TikTok has revolutionised how music reaches audiences in Uganda. In the past, radio was the primary way to share music, but now, TikTok is the go-to platform for connecting with people. With its vast user base, TikTok has significantly enhanced how we communicate our music to fans, offering incredible opportunities for exposure and engagement.

One challenge, however, is that creating content for TikTok requires time and dedication, which not everyone can afford. Despite this, the platform allows artists to showcase their creativity, reach a broader audience, and even go viral, making it a powerful tool for promoting our music.

What experiences have you had with radio and TV playlisting? And what strategies have you found most effective?
My experiences with radio and TV playlisting have shown me just how crucial these platforms are for promoting our music. On the positive side, both TV and radio play a significant role in communicating our music to a wider audience, making playlists essential for our promotion.

What is your approach to music production, and who have you worked with in the past? What was your experience?
My approach to music production starts with that initial spark before I hit the studio. But sometimes, the magic happens right there when the vibe hits! I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible producers like Lex Logic, Hype Knwz, Herbert Skillz, McSan, and Baru Beatz.

One of the highlights was working on my project ‘Party.’ I teamed up with Hype Knwz, McSan, and Herbert Skillz for the audio, and let me tell you, Herbert is one of the best sound engineers in Africa! It’s tough to get him on board, but when you do, it’s pure gold. The vocal sessions were a blast—I had amazing vocalists who brought the track to life with their backing.

Hype Knwz is the mastermind behind several of my hits like ‘Ndabilwama,’ ‘Party,’ and ‘Neera‘ McSan nailed it on ‘Nzewuwo,’ especially with the vocal treatment on ‘Party.’ And Herbert always packages everything perfectly, making it sound incredible!

I also vibed with City Boy, the genius behind hits like ‘Amina‘ by Ykee Benda and ‘Terikuniza‘ by me. He’s such a down-to-earth guy, and working with him on ‘Terikuniza‘ was an awesome experience.

Overall, it’s been a wild ride! Collaboration comes with ups and downs—sometimes communication can be tricky—but that’s all part of the journey. Each experience helps me grow as an artist, and I’m excited to keep creating!

What is your strategy for music promotion, and what channels have you found most effective?
When it comes to music promotion, I believe in going all out on every media platform where people are vibing to music! I focus primarily on the most popular platforms because that’s where the audience is.

I promote my sound on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify. TikTok is a game-changer—it’s like a launchpad for viral hits! I love creating catchy snippets that can catch fire and attract a ton of new fans. YouTube is also huge; even simple lyric videos can make waves if done right!

Building connections is key, too. I engage with fans and fellow artists, and I collaborate with influencers who can help amplify my music. It’s all about creating a community around my sound!

Using a mix of these channels has been super effective for me. The energy and creativity in promoting my music keep me inspired, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next!

What new music projects are you working on, or what is currently available, and how can people access them?
I’m pouring my heart into so many music projects right now, and I’m excited about the ones I’ve already released: “Ndabilwamu,” “Nzewuwo,” “Party,” and my latest tracks, “Neera” and “Terikuniza.” These songs are available on almost all major platforms, including Spotify, Boomplay, Tidal, Apple Music, and more.

Honestly, reaching every listener takes more than just passion—it requires resources. That’s why I hustle hard on the side. I work in auto spare parts at Sultan Auto Spare Parts in Justine Arcade, shop G06, down here in Nakivuube, Kampala. This day job helps me finance my music dreams, and my fans can come support me there.

Every note I create is a step closer to my goals, and I believe that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

Any last words to your fans?
I want to give a huge shoutout to my amazing fans for embracing, loving, and promoting my music. One love to you all! Thank you so much—more and better music is on the way! But for now, check out my double release.