This week, we catch up with Mark Arnold, a Ugandan multi-talented urban rapper, singer, songwriter, music producer and Business Journalist at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).
Mark Arnold details us how he has managed to balance his musical Journey and Journalism as a career and how he has managed to keep up pace with the current musical trends given tight competition in the industry amid a very busy Journalism profession.
In this interview, he also narrates how he fuses English, Luganda, Lugisu and Lusoga to communicate intimate topics in society like love, Salvation, social & economic justice among others while he tells us ‘’IM ONLY BACK’’
01. Who is Mark Arnold?
Well Mark Arnold is an urban Ugandan rapper, singer, songwriter and music producer based in Kampala Uganda. I’m also a news anchor and business Journalist with UBC TV but let’s focus on the music today!
I fuse English, Luganda, Lugisu and Lusoga to communicate intimate topics in society like love, Salvation, social & economic justice among others.
02. When did your journey as musician begin?
Music for me started in 2012, right after my senior 6; I was signed by my cousin to his record label called Abstract Music in Kyaliwajala/ Namugongo.
My label mates and I released a number of single and collaboration projects like; My lover, Feeling myself among others. Though fruitful for a budding artist like me, my time working at the label didn’t last longer than a year because I had to start University at Uganda Christian University located in Mukono so my availability to the label would remain wanting.
At University, I went ahead to learn music production and playing the guitar so that I could execute my own musical ideas. More so, during my 2nd year internship at Wizarts media in Ntinda, I had access to studio time where I practiced recording and mixing music with Jimmy Mugema their executive audio producer.
Since then I managed to put together a 10 track Mixtape called the “Wadzy Mixtape in 2014 a graduation concert featuring Maro among other singles too. I’ve also been performing on several corporate events too.
03. You are a well-positioned journalist and news anchor at UBC TV as well, how will you keep up with music?
Hmmm… Making music is my purpose in life, it’s that one thing I do every day of my life that gives me total fulfillment. I happen to be a professional journalist too and I love telling visual stories as much as i love informing people.
This year I went into an artist management deal with Olstar PR & Media Ltd and I’m counting on the team to do most of the backend work most budding artists struggle with.
I am also encouraged by the bible verse Mathew 25:14-30- the parable of the talents to express my inherent gifts.
04. How differently are you approaching music now?
With strategic management from Olstar PR & Media Ltd, we had to look for a unique brand look that suites my image as broadcaster and as a musician too.
Brands do grow in the presence of an abled purpose and clear vision. Fusing Lusoga, Lugisu and Luganda in my music is a starting point.
I have a YouTube, Twitter and Facebook page under the names Mark Arnold UG MUSIC. These are the platforms we using to disseminate my music. Other streaming platforms are to be rolled out next year.
05. Tell us more about your Catalogue, and where do we find your music?
Right now, my music can be found in specific digital platforms YouTube, ITunes, Spotify. Some Ugandan music sites will receive exclusive releases too but we are still in talks.
You’ll probably find my older projects there but more of the new music will be rolled out gradually towards the end of this year.
06. What do you render the biggest Challenge in the music industry?
Making Money is hard! The day a budding artist realizes that music is a long term investment that follows the rules of compounding, is the day they’ll decide whether to press on or not! Most talented artists go-by unheard, lack management and sufficient funds to break through. It’s sad because Ugandans are abundantly gifted with artistic talents but few expedite them.
07. Since the Covid-19 Era crept into Uganda, most artistic creators are leveraging digital platforms to either sell or showcase their crafts, should we be expecting an online concert from Mark Arnold?
Yes I’ve seen those concerts; I loved Dr Jose chameleons club beats at home online concert it was vibrant and had a lot of shares and views. They are gaining popularity and it’s something worth discussing with the team. We are yet to decide whether it is a viable investment for a start. We shall be updating you as we grow, I hope we can have more of these [ …he chuckles]
08. Which artists/producers do you want to work with?
I really believe in collaborative work with any humble and talented artist, I believe it gives us the power to expand our potential. But to mention names, I can list Maro, Producer Skills, Sam lamara of Talent Africa and Maurice Kirya.
09. Lastly, what are you currently working on?
I’m currently promoting a single called Covid 19, is a short term project I collaborated with Kamara a budding rapper too . I produced it and was mastered by Rhon of Brand Xclusive records.
We shot the video recently and its coming out anytime soon by the end of July 2020.
Enjoy Covid-19 lyrics video by Mark Arnold and Kamara here https://bit.ly/2AGKqWn
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