Ugandan vocalist Sqoop Larma, real name Godfrey Serunjoji, is building momentum with his latest song “Temutuloga,” while drawing from real-life experiences and a diverse range of musical influences to shape his sound.
Active professionally since 2022, Sqoop Larma was born on February 5, 1998, in Masaka City to Gladys Kikyakye and the late John Semwogerere. He was raised in Entebbe and says his introduction to music started long before his professional career.
“I used to sing in church and back in school,” he says.
Today, Sqoop Larma describes his sound as a blend of Zouk and Afro Music, with storytelling at the heart of his creative process. Rather than simply making songs, he wants to transform experiences and life stories into music that can both entertain and offer emotional relief.
“When creating, I want to turn life stories into music. It heals souls and also entertains,” he explains.
That approach is particularly evident in his music. One of his songs, “Naterera,” was inspired by a real relationship experience involving a former girlfriend who left him because he was not financially stable, only to later want to return.
His latest release, “Temutuloga,” also comes directly from observations about real life. Sqoop Larma says the song explores situations where people are unhappy with another person’s success — an experience he believes many listeners can relate to.
“That’s real life. I wanted to transform it into music because many people go through it out there. People are not pleased about your success,” he says.
Collaboration has also played a role in his growth. Sqoop Larma says audiences sometimes influence who he works with, while he also enjoys collaborating with experienced musicians. His previous projects have included Pallaso and John Blaq.
His musical influences stretch beyond Uganda. Locally, he cites Radio and Weasel, Maddox and Jamal Wasswa as artists who inspired his journey. Internationally, he points to Nigerian stars Davido and Rema.
For Sqoop Larma, however, success isn’t measured only by major releases or industry recognition. He considers every performance where the crowd sings along to be a defining moment.
“Each time I perform and the audience is singing along, it is a special moment,” he says.
The journey has not been without setbacks. He admits that investing heavily in a song only for it to underperform can be draining and emotionally difficult. Still, he says he turns to his faith during those moments.
Looking ahead, Sqoop Larma has ambitions that extend beyond his own music career. He hopes to establish a music label that can support young talent, particularly artists from ghettos.
And fans won’t have to wait too long for more music. He says an EP is coming soon, while he is also planning his maiden concert.
For an artist who started by singing in church and school, Sqoop Larma’s next chapter is now taking shape — one real-life story, song and performance at a time.