Media personality MC Kats has explained why he no longer has an interest in managing musicians, saying years of investing his money, time and passion into developing artists left him feeling unappreciated.
The King of the Mic reflected on his experiences promoting Ugandan music, recalling the sacrifices he made to help the musicians he worked with gain recognition and secure more opportunities.
According to MC Kats, his efforts sometimes involved confronting DJs and bar owners over the limited airplay given to local music. He said he was determined to get his artists’ songs played, even when it meant getting into trouble at entertainment venues.
“Some nights, I was thrown out of bars because I was fighting DJs to play Ugandan music until we started a theme night at Fame Lounge,” he said.
He also claimed that some of the artists he signed rarely invested their own money in music videos or promotional activities, leaving him to shoulder much of the responsibility.
MC Kats explained that he would move from one bar to another promoting their music because he understood how difficult it was for emerging musicians to break into the industry.
At the time, he believed that helping the artists become successful would eventually benefit everyone involved financially.
However, he now feels that some of the musicians failed to appreciate the work he put into their careers. He suggested that their attitude towards him changed after they started earning money and gaining recognition.
“No artist has done something as big as what I have done for them,” he said, adding that some artists began treating him like trash once they had money.
The experience appears to have influenced his decision to step away from artist management and focus on other professional interests.
MC Kats also revealed that he has reduced his active involvement in traditional media work and is concentrating on his YouTube channel, where he discusses real-life challenges and issues affecting society.
He said he wants to build something of his own after spending much of his working life employed by other people.
“I’ve been employed for too long. Started working when I was 17 and I wouldn’t want to work for someone 30 or 40 years later,” he said.
MC Kats explained that his YouTube work also gives him an opportunity to share experiences, discuss issues affecting the community and contribute to conversations that could make a difference.
His latest remarks offer insight into why he is moving away from artist management and focusing on building an independent platform after years in Uganda’s entertainment industry.