Singer Hajara Diana Namukwaya, popularly known as Spice Diana, recently shared insights into her early music journey, shedding light on her transformation from a rapper known as “Spice G” to the chart-topping artist she is today. In a revealing interview, Spice Diana touched on her childhood, her first studio session, and the pivotal moment that inspired her career.
During her teenage years, Spice Diana found solace in music, bonding with friends over beatboxing near a local church. This led to her participation in the NTV Hotsteps competition, where she showcased her dancing skills. Despite her mother’s initial reservations about her involvement in Hip-Hop, Spice Diana persisted and eventually made it through the competition.
Her transition from “Spice G” to “Spice Diana” was influenced by her mother’s encouragement to emulate artists like Irene Ntale, Fille, and Rema Namakula. Spice Diana’s friendship with the Triplets Ghetto Kids and their manager, Dauda Kavuma, played a crucial role in shaping her early music career. Kavuma advised her to write a love song, resulting in her first studio recording, “Nze Akwagala.”
Spice Diana’s breakthrough came with the hit song “Onsanula” during her S.6 (senior six) academic year. Despite facing financial challenges to promote the song, she received a significant boost when fans gave her Ugx 5,000 during a performance. This inspired her and marked the beginning of her successful career.
The singer fondly recalled receiving Ugx 150,000 for her first major performance gig for “Onsanula,” arranged by promoter Emma Carlos. This marked a turning point, allowing Spice Diana to pay for her tuition at Makerere University and graduate.
Spice Diana’s journey from her early freestyle sessions near a church to becoming one of Uganda’s most celebrated artists highlights her resilience, talent, and the impact of supportive friendships and mentors in the music industry. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring musicians navigating their own paths in the world of music.
