INTERVIEW: Sheebah on her music and fighting rejection

Sheebah’s Liteside

Any three things we don’t know about you?

I am a girl who came from zero and made it. I am also 100 percent feminist because I was raised by a woman and its women that know about raising children. I work to be one of the most powerful women to ever grace Uganda and Africa musically.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

It is a combination of many things and for me who loves career, it is number one. My happiness is derived from my making it in my music career. I don’t get greedy for the things that are not happening.

What is your greatest fear?

Failure, especially knowing that I come from a background where I was voiceless. I fear failure because a few people will listen to you if you are a failure.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I am too kind and when I continue doing it in an evil music industry, people undermine and take me for granted.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I don’t like it when people take my job for granted because it has made me the woman I am and has enabled me foot the bills for many years.

Which living person do you most admire?

My mother Edith Kabazungu; with seven children, five hers and two others, she managed to raise all. I am a replica of her in so many ways because she gave me the basics of working hard and not to expect handouts from others; like men.

What is your greatest extravagance?

That would be me but I don’t look at it as spending, it is rather an investment that I do for my career.

What is the greatest thing you have ever done?

Walking out of home at only 15 years to fend for myself.

What is your current state of mind?

At peace with myself.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

We tend to hype people who don’t deserve it rather than borrow a leaf or two from someone who has hustled and made it after several falls.

What does being powerful mean to you?

Independence comes with power that gives one the opportunity not to bend down for people but only respect them.

On what occasion do you lie?

I can be forced to tell a lie to save someone’s life.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

When I was a young, I was sickly which took me through a hell of injections that caused an effect on my eyes. And with the current exposure to lights and cameras, the effect is bigger.

Which living person do you most despise?

Every father that abandons his child.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Respect to others, friendly and not a dictator.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Patience but non tolerant to nonsense.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

I curse a lot especially when I am alone.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My mother has been everything to me.

When and where were you happiest?

On Dec 2, 2016; I pride in holding one of the most record breaking concerts in the country from which I convinced many people that I can make it.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Drawing because many times, I have failed to explain to the designers my expectations in them.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Achieving my dream after struggling for over ten years .

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

A sexy and good vampire that is not only powerful but saves people.

Where would you most like to live?

May be in the Caribbean Islands.

What is your most treasured possession?

I treasure voice so much because I grew up as a voiceless child and poverty also limits us from speaking out.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

I know how hard it is to live such a life of loneliness on the streets to the level of a destitute where someone has given up on life.

What is your favorite occupation?

Nothing beats being an artiste. I could also be a stylist, photographer, or teacher of a kindergarten which gives me peace.

What do you most value in your friends?

I keep my circle of friends very small because I value loyalty.

Who are your favorite writers?

I rarely get names of writers but titles for instance the writer of ‘Talent is overrated’ (Geoff Colvin), ‘Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus’ (John Gray) and ‘Say what’s real’ (Melissa Molomo). I love powerful women writers in the line of positive thinking.

Who is your hero of fiction?

I love Lucy Liu and every powerful characters like Taraji Henson in `Empire’ especially those who empower women.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My mother may not be the most perfect mother but she has made me the woman I am. Jeff Kiwa has nurtured my career to create respect and room for me in an environment where I was never believed.

What are your favorite names?

I love the name ‘Star’ because it follows up on a person.

What is your greatest regret?

I sometimes regret letting certain people into my life because I have had to deal with the pains after

How would you like to die?

I would love to die on stage though it would be so traumatising. The other alternative would be in my sleep.

What is your motto?

I will not stop until the world knows my name.

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editor@independent.co.ug