Juliana Kanyomozi, the renowned Ugandan songstress, embarked on a transformative musical journey during her tenure at Capital FM. Joining the station during her S.6 vacation, she was on the brink of a breakthrough that would change the trajectory of her career.
In a media interview, Kanyomozi reminisced about the collaboration that marked a pivotal moment in her career. “He found me at Capital.
I was still working with Capital,” she revealed. “…he came with the idea, and we went to the studio.” This collaboration resulted in the hit song “Taata Wabaana,” a track that catapulted her into the mainstream music industry.
Before this breakthrough, Kanyomozi had been singing for a while, primarily in English. However, “Taata Wabaana” infused with Luganda lyrics proved to be the game-changer. This marked a departure from her previous English-language songs and opened new doors for her in the industry.
Her musical journey began with the six-track album recorded alongside Iryn Namubiru, forming the duo I-Jay. This collaboration took place at Baava Studios, owned by Hope Mukasa, under the guidance of producer Daudi Kitasimbwa.
The decision to create an album together stemmed from Namubiru’s impending move to France to join her partner, Frank Morel, concluding his service at the French Embassy in Kampala.
Following this, Kanyomozi continued to make waves in the industry, releasing notable singles such as “Say It,” a collaboration with Vamposs, and another titled “Seven Days.”
Reflecting on the impact of “Taata Wabaana,” Kanyomozi expressed, “The first time I had that big break… I think that was the time we did Tata W’abaana with Bobi Wine, and it literally just crossed over… It just went crazy. It was crazy.”
This collaboration marked a defining moment in her career, breaking down barriers and gaining acceptance in a new territory.
Despite initial uncertainties about singing in Luganda, Kanyomozi found that the reception was the opposite of her expectations. “That was a defining moment for me as an artiste. Because I felt like I had been accepted in a territory that I wasn’t sure I would be accepted before.
I wasn’t very confident with singing Luganda before. I had been singing English, so when I did Luganda I was not sure how I’d be received. And then it was the complete opposite of what I was expecting. It was crazy.”
Meanwhile, her six-year tenure with Capital FM played a crucial role in shaping her musical journey, contributing to the artist’s growth and evolution in the vibrant Ugandan music scene.
