Navio: Top Floor of Millennium Chambers

We have been tracking the success of Uganda's Hip Hop artist Navio for a while. Last year it was evident that he was up to no good when we interviewed him after predicting that he was the next big thing. It has been a year now and after a lot of developments... from joining One8 late last year, to the rebirth of Klear Kut and the emergence of new "beefs"... after release a new clean, almost picture perfect video in Wind it Up... we figured it was time to get an update from him.

OurMusiq: So I guess I was on-point from my prediction in the last interview?

Navio: Good. Make bigger predictions now!... lol. I’m thankful you were right.

You are clearly in a league of your own right now. Tell us a little about what makes Navio... Tell us about the crew you have behind that run the day-to-day of Navio...

I’ve always been good at team sports in any league in real life, but I guess in Music people must see it differently. If I’m in a league of my own, then it is the fans that put me here.

The Navcorp crew is made up of The Co-ordinators, a managements system and a street team. All these 3 come together to promote Navio. The office is on the top floor of Millennium Chambers so it’s a great base to hustle Nav from.

Riight… Now how do you balance Navio, the solo artist... Navio, a member of Klear Kut.... and Navio, a member of One8... All three seem to be working, and I know one can multitask... but if this is going to be an honest interview, I'd stay... with these three, stick to just one and run with it. Tell me I'm wrong...

YOUR WRONG!! Lol.. I mean, I understand how people worry about it. But it really depends on the type of person you are. I’ve always been able to think on 3 or four different levels. I have been around business people, politicians, homeless people, gangsters (and not in the popular sense of the word), musicians and the police all in the same day…and that was just Monday. So being able to balance all that means I have to multi-task. A normal person probably wouldn’t be able to handle it, but I’ve always had a screw loose and I come from humble beginnings as we worked towards “uptown”. So I can operate anywhere.The more projects, groups, music and work- the better.

Talking about Klear Kut... the one guy I'm very curious about is Abba Lang. I really like where he is going with his music... He definitely has a way with words when it comes to the English language as we were told in your first UGPulse interview and has been evidenced in his Klear Kut songs and now his music in Europe...

If I’ve got a screw loose, he’s definitely the person I get it from. He is a reader first and foremost. Two or three book a day is his style. So his English is pretty refined. His French and German isn’t bad either!He has always been one to push the envelope and step outside the box when the need arises… trendsetter of sorts.

Briefly tell us what is in the pipeline for Navio, Klear Kut and One8...

• The release of “African Hustler Music”
• We’re promoting a government lobbying org called the “Green Light” Movement which will be working to end unemployment.
• I begin work on my next album immediately.
• Just finished recording a track with Chameleone that’ll be coming out later in the year. (It’s a world ender by the way).
• I have a new fashion line coming out centered on some Uganda’s worst problems, bought to the forefront of youth affairs through fashion.
• An entire Klear Kut African Tour
• One8 has more touring to do as well.
• Klear Kut has an unplugged in August and then followed by big shows in Decemeber as well.

The list goes on and on! And let’s not even talk about award season!

Earlier this year you were on tour in Asia... Malaysia... who would have thunk?

I know right. It was a privilege to head out there. We’ve had Ruba Duba go down for it, but never had artists continue on to Thailand. I was privileged to do both. Two shows in Malaysia and two in Thailand. There’s an Asian market past Ugandans and other Africans that we need to tap into. People who didn’t speak any of my languages were screaming the most!!

What is your relationship with Ali and Talent 256? Do they manage Navio or are they simply an agent? Or perhaps they only manage you when it comes to the work of One8 and are agents with everything else?...lol... not sure I make sense there... And with you being very busy et al... and perhaps Ali being tied up, physically and financially in the successful Navio and One8 ventures... Could this bring about some animosity between the Talent 256 artists? As much as we see some stuff coming out from them, it seems like Navio has the clearest direction... and perhaps Toniks. What do I know? Lol... Can you offer some feedback on this question or do you want to say "pass" so that I ask Ali instead? I mean what are you doing that the others perhaps are not doing?

We’ve got a full on management deal. However, I am one of the biggest earners on the label past just music so Navcorp is pretty much the hands-on management structure that runs my product. I’m on a level where I need two teams working on my profile. Big up to both of them.

I doubt there is animosity. Me bringing in money to the label means that structures like the new studio etc can be used to help other artists on the label. Navio was sort of established as a leader in the market before the deal ever went down. I like to think of it as a profitable partnership.

OK…well the reason I bring this up... Now... I know the media tries to fish out beefs between artists in Uganda and they have become too many and too childish to be of any interest to dwell on... But in our last interview it was GNL and Babaluku. Now it’s another artist who I am yet to fully research... Atlas. Do you feel that this misunderstanding with you and Atlas stems from being ignored as a Talent 256 artist? Perhaps he is simply frustrated? I may not know all the details so your view on that.

Definitely not ignored by Talent Africa. Perhaps more by the public. I can’t imagine being famous from Cayenne to Rouge. He is 7 or so years older than me. I can understand his situation I guess. Maybe I’ll get it when I’m his age. I had to let him know I was hearing his shots at me. And that was pretty much it for me.

Well well…lol… I tend to only brush through the stories... preferring to hear it from the horse's mouth... What happened between yourself and Atlas that night at The Rouge?

Nothing... I was actually the one who ended up picking him up. Any altercation that ensued didn’t involve me. I guess you can’t expect help to go both ways. Lol.

Media-wise I think you have handled the whole thing like an educated professional... and we commend you for that. But any plans for putting out an Atlas song any time soon?...lol

No. 5 years ago… maybe. I can’t release a song for anybody that isn’t a headliner. And I’m as busy as hell. If I thought he was better than me “technically” I would’ve engaged him. I like to keep my battles in the real world and not in a mafia movie, when the people I’m battling are the furthest thing from that in real life.

I DO NOT HAVE BEEF WITH ANYBODY IN THE INDUSTRY!

The beefs between Ugandan artists who we all know that for the most part, when we put things into perspective, don't really make a lot of money to be called very successful, has really become ridiculous. I can only speak for how we see things as Ugandans in the Diaspora looking at news and images coming from Uganda these past few weeks... The Walk to Work campaigns over rising costs, the police brutality that followed, images of Besigye's car being injected with pepper spray as he is brutally arrested... and Rabadaba allegedly stabbing a member of the Goodlyfe crew over some ongoing beef. Really...

I understand... And as artists, when we don’t receive a hand out from a more established artist, we become sour.

People need to grow up and take matters into their own hands. All an established artist can do is get you visible. He is not a label to be putting money in your hands. Grow up and use the platform you’ve been given to make your own money. At night we all head to our own homes and lives.

What do you think is the responsibility of the fans and the various companies that continue to sponsor Ugandan artists?

To become more proactive about culture!! It is crazy important. Nigerians, South Africans and other market leaders sell culture because it is a billion dollar business and morally right!

Campaigns try to involve artists to add to their campaign. The more they can do this without adding to the artist, the better. If you have a million dollars for an artist, why negotiate him to a million shillings? You’re not helping the artist you’re in business with and that’s ethically and morally wrong. This is someone who is using themselves to support YOUR entire campaign profile. Show some respect to our cultural conveyors.

Talk about Fefe Dobson...

Amazing personality and it comes out in her music. It’s a hard thing to do. Amazing talent.

Are there any more plans that you can share with us for more projects with other artists from big record labels?

Not unless I want to kill them before they happen. Like what has happened in the past! lol

The new album is dropping! African Hustler Music is officially here. Mixed at Swangz and mastered with R Kelly’s recommendation.

Jackie, Fidempa, Iryn Namubiru, Benon, Aethan, Just Jose, Mike Ouma, Allan Okia, Tonix, Chameleone, Mandisa, Palesa and Sway and Blu3 all make an appearance.

Look out for Klear Kut. We’re officially back. Its go time!