The Challenges Outweigh the Earnings: Sebatta on His 42-Year Music Journey

Known as a pioneering figure in the Kadongo Kamu genre, Lord Fred Sebatta is not just a musician but an icon who has influenced countless artistes.

Celebrating 42 years in the music industry, the ‘Baana Bange’ singer reflected on his long and eventful career.

In an interview with Uncut, Sebatta recalled that his very first song, “Sam Wange,” marked the start of his journey, although he did not earn as much money from his career as many believe.

He explained that while he did not make a lot of money in his early days, it was still better than today, primarily due to the rise of the digital age, which has led to increased piracy and bootlegging.

Over his 42 years in the music industry, Sebatta revealed that the challenges he has faced and continues to face outweigh all his earnings.

He also disclosed that he is dealing with numerous debts and health issues. Nevertheless, he expressed appreciation for his creditors, who have been understanding and are not aggressively demanding repayment.

Reflecting on the past, he noted that financing events was much more challenging back then. Unlike today, where securing sponsors is possible, he explained that it was nearly impossible during the early years of his career.

He mentioned that back then musicians often had to rely on moneylenders to finance their events, and unfortunately, not all events were successful. Some flopped, leading to significant financial difficulties.

Sebatta also shared concerns about the current state of the industry, disapproving of the trend among entertainers, particularly MCs, who use vulgar language.

While he acknowledged that not all MCs fall into that category, he pointed out that some believe being vulgar makes them good entertainers.

He asserted that if he had been a leader in the industry, he would not have allowed such behavior to go unchecked.

While discussing the key highlights of his career, Sebatta highlighted a show he had at Nakivubo Stadium, located at Nakivubo War Memorial Grounds. He described it as a smash hit that earned him honours from the Kabaka of Buganda.

Lastly, despite the challenges he has faced, he noted that advising young musicians today is very difficult, as it is tough to guide those who believe they know it all.

VIDEO: Lord Fred Sebatta to celebrate 42 years in music, reflecting on his journey.#SanyukaUnCut #SanyukaUpdates #FfeBannoDdala pic.twitter.com/JzHnPAQFFE

— Sanyuka TV (@sanyukatv) October 15, 2024