Why Danra Ug thinks highly of Allan Toniks 

Danra Ug is a female recording artiste, whose love for music made her join the industry at just 19 years.

She has songs such as Dancehall Mama, Biting, Mukodo, and Gundeze, which she did with Allan Toniks, among other songs. She told Quick Talk about her passion for music that not even fellow artistes who wanted to put her down could quench.

Hi Danra! Thanks for sparing your time for this interview. You are welcome; good afternoon!

Is Danra your real name? My real name is Nassuna Daphne Flavia.

What then inspired the name Danra Ug?

Well, all my siblings’ names start with “D”; so, it is a combination of all our names, but basically Danra comes from Daniella [You must be close to your siblings then!]

Could you tell Quick Talk about your education background?

I went to Kiwatule Parents Preparatory School and Namugongo Girls boarding primary school, then proceeded to Cyprian Kyabakadde for secondary education and UMCAT School of Journalism.

Yet you chose to do music with the journalism diploma…

A lot of things inspired me to become an artiste. Growing up, I used to sing a lot because I really loved music. I enjoyed listening to Jennifer Lopez, Shakira… When it comes to family, my mum really inspired me because she was so supportive and I also had family members who were already in the arts industry.

You started your music career at 19; how did your parents react to that?

Well, joining the music industry at that young age was very hard, but I had supportive people around me; as for my parents, I really did not tell them right away until I did my first song called Drop Your Energy.

When I did the song, I needed money for a video shoot but I wasn’t working; so, I took the song to my dad. His reaction wasn’t okay at first because he knew I wasn’t ready to face the industry and all the challenges that come with it.

But after listening to the song, he was impressed and came back to me and asked me how much money I needed for the video shoot; on the other hand, my mum liked the idea from the word go.

What type of music do you?

I am versatile; I can do every style of music and those who have listened to my music can tell. I do dancehall, reggae and RnB. The only style I haven’t tried so far is hip hop [while Danra listens to hip hop, she would not try to rap. Yet.]

Do you write your music or there is someone who writes for you?

Most of the times I write my songs. But of course sometimes they write for me because you can’t always be perfect; so, you can write and someone brings in their art; that’s how I do it.

What are some of your recent works?

I have two recent music projects; there is one I did with DJ Pius from Rwanda and Vyper Ranking, and I have Dancehall Mama which is a freestyle I made in studio with Vyper Ranking. Originally he is the owner of the beat; so, he was like you can do this, because you can do dancehall. So that’s how I came up with the song.

‘Bubblegum music’ in Uganda is on the rise; Quick Talk wonders why…

Back then, artistes really gave their music a lot of time. They would give a song all they had. Unlike today where artistes have a lot of pressure to release music and we don’t give good music time.

You will find that an artiste would just take any song a writer gives them because they need a project without really connecting with the writer to create something which can become a masterpiece.

Secondly, making research is very important when it comes to music; it’s not about going to the studio and sing. So, artistes need to make a lot of research before coming up with a song.

Do you think artificial intelligence (AI) is a threat to the music industry basing on what they did with Azawi’s new song by adding in the late Mowzey Radio’s voice?

I have no problem with AI because it reminds us of people who were musically artistic and intelligent. The only issue is using it to promote wrong information.

Are you managed by a music label?

I am not under any music label. Currently, I have a personal management team. It’s a team of people who play various roles. When someone wants to book me, they have to pass through the team.

What was your breakthrough moment?

My breakthrough moment, for the name Danra to be known, was when I recorded the song called Mulala Mulala. It was my third song but it got me nominated for breakthrough artiste in the HiPipo awards in 2016.

It is always wild out there; how do you manage?

I really went through very many challenges but I had a team that helped me to overcome them. Most of the challenges I got were from fellow artistes wanting to put me down, showing that I couldn’t make it.

As you know in any business, there has to be healthy competition but in music the competition wasn’t really healthy. At some point, the finances also challenged me.

What should your fans expect this year?

I have a lot coming; on March 1, I released my first single this year, called Tobiraba, which I co-wrote with Vyper Ranking, then I also have another song with Weasel and Zizaman and Ratigan. I have like five collaborations this year and a few singles. So, my fans should expect a lot this year.

Talking about collaboration, you did Gundeze with Allan Toniks; how was it working with a big artiste?

First of all, the song did so well among the projects I did back then; so, I was so overjoyed, and doing a song with him was such an honour because I was his fan since childhood.

Apart from that, during studio time, he really made me feel comfortable. Much as he is a big artiste, he did not intimidate me but allowed me to do my thing and made me feel like it was the best song. He is the person I would recommend every artiste to work with.

What do you do outside music?

I am a businesswoman. I do a lot of things. I have a tourism company called Travel with Danra. I usually organize trips for clients and I also organize two public trips every year for my fans. I also do other stuff, although I want to keep them private.

Are you dating, Danra?

I don’t share my private life with the public; if there is someone, you will officially know when it’s the right time – when you see a ring on my finger…

devonssuubi@gmail.com