Dancehall artiste Ali Yusuf who goes by the stage name Arrow Bwoy may have found a steady footing in the music industry going by his club bangers ‘Digi Digi’ and ‘Murder’. The musician is still waiting for his music to make financial sense, but meanwhile, raw passion is his driving force. He spoke to Josephine Mosongo
Where are you from?
How often do you visit Uganda? Not that much because my mother lives here, my dad too. Maybe once a year.
Coming from these two background, how does that influence your music ?huyu ni wa kwetu’ .
What pulled you into the world of music?
How long was it before anyone noticed you? Murder’ and today here we are, I’m signed to Kaka Empire.
Do your parents listen and watch your music videos? Digi Digi’ on radio. Sometimes she will learn a word or two and tell me “inasema sijui nikupende hadi mwisho wa kalenda, ni nyimbo nzuri” . She really has been a big fan.
Does she come to your shows?
Are you making enough money to sustain yourself?
How do you feel when your songs are popular, played in clubs and radio, but haven’t yet translated to financial stability?
You must be a patient person then...
How many songs have you released this year? Digi Digi’, ‘Murder ’ and ‘Lover Man ’ featuring Voltage Music from Uganda. Hopefully by the end of the year I will have worked on two more. Before those three I had released others that I thought had an impact because I’d worked hard on them. It’s when I felt I needed help on a management level.
Did you seek out Kaka Empire? I was looking for management but I hadn’t approached them yet, though I had them in mind.
How easy is it to get lost, let things get to your head in the world of showbiz?
What lessons have you learnt from your parents that you can impart in your music?
What do you think sets you apart from other artistes?
Your real name is Ali Yusuf, why do you call yourself Arrow Bwoy?
