Veteran singer and music producer David Washington has opened up about one of the more memorable chapters of his career, recalling what it was like working with singer-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Washington described the experience as a mix of challenges and excitement, but said the collaborations ultimately produced good results.
One of his earliest memories with Bobi Wine dates back to when the artist approached him with an idea for a song titled “Wendi.” Washington admits that he did not immediately understand what Bobi Wine was trying to achieve with the track, but they pushed ahead with the project.
“I have my musician known as Ssentamu Robert, whom many refer to as Bobi Wine. Back in the early days, he approached me with the idea of a song titled ‘Wendi’, and when he sang the song, I wasn’t getting things well, but we did it,” Washington recalled.
But it was “Adam Ne Kawa” that Washington remembers as one of his most interesting collaborations with Bobi Wine — largely because of how quickly the song came together.
According to Washington, Bobi Wine arrived at his home with fellow musician Nubian Li in a blue pickup truck. After picking him up, the musicians continued humming the song while they travelled to the studio.
By the time they arrived, Washington was already familiar enough with the idea to get straight to work.
“My most interesting song was ‘Adam Ne Kawa’. That day was very amazing,” he said. “He came with Nubian Li, driving a blue pickup car.”
Washington recalled that the production moved almost immediately once they reached the studio.
“By the time we reached the studio, it only took me five minutes. We completed the song in 30 minutes and he returned me home,” he said.
The speed of that session did not mean the collaboration was without its challenges.
Washington said one of the more difficult aspects was bringing Bobi Wine and Nubian Li together vocally and ensuring their styles worked well enough to complement each other.
At the time, Washington was looking beyond simply making the two artists sound good together. He was also drawing inspiration from the musical chemistry of Jamaican duo Chaka Demus & Pliers, who he says were hugely influential during that period.
“The challenging moment was combining Nubian Li and Bobi Wine to sound and rhyme well because, in those days, we had Chaka Demus and Pliers, and they were big,” Washington explained.
His goal, he said, was to elevate Bobi Wine and Nubian Li toward that kind of musical standard.
“So, in my mind, I was trying to elevate them to that standard, and it worked out,” Washington said.
He also credited Tonny Holes for helping him achieve the sound he was pursuing, saying the producer understood his vision and contributed significantly to the project.
Looking back, Washington’s memories offer a glimpse into an earlier period of Bobi Wine’s music career — when ideas could begin on a journey home, develop through a few hummed melodies and eventually become a finished song in a matter of minutes.
For Washington, “Adam Ne Kawa” remains a standout example of how a challenging collaboration can ultimately click — and how sometimes the studio magic happens faster than anyone expects.