Interview: Rachael Magoola Sheds Light On ‘Emali’ Song At Qwela Band’s Afro Mix Show

Keep it 100% real and 100% Rhythm was what welcomed one at the Bight of Benin where Qwela band performed for this year’s last episode of their Afro-mix shows.

Qwela band through ‘Tusker Malt Music Lounge,’ have been bringing music lovers live quality afro-based music performances in their show dubbed Afro-Mix and this particular edition being the last this year, featured singer Rachael Magoola.

The show, having featured the Music legendary herself, was a success and left hundreds of fans yearning for more. It is at this show that our reporter Benjamen Emuk met with Magoola for a quick talk on why she came up with the idea of doing Emaali cover song and the tragedy revolving around the song.

You disappeared from the music scene for some good time, what have you been up to? 

2019 has been quite busy for me, first of all I am a candidate for my constituency in 2021 and I am an NRM flag bearer, so I have been up and down doing politics, teaching and then doing music at the same time.

Why did you decide to join Politics?

I joined politics because somebody has got to do it, if you feel you have a reason and you think you can contribute to your community then do it. I thought I could contribute to my community and that’s the only way I can create an impact.

What inspired you to do ‘Emali’ cover song?

Emaali is a cover of a folk song from Teso, I listen to Teso music, it’s very beautiful and very unique music and I can tell you we recorded ‘Emaali’ 20 years ago but even today, it’s one of the most liked songs as you can hear it in clubs.

If you are in Europe, it’s the first song people will start jumping to because it’s got a very unique sound, unique rhyme.

There are complaints from Mzee Atude who is alleged to be the original composer of ‘Emali’ song. How true are the claims that you stole the song from him?

Well, I have had that story before and I have met Mzee Atude, we even played with him at Teso Nights in Kireka and I hope we can one day do something together and he gets something back.

I don’t think I stole the song because we covered that song which I had thought was a folk song the time we did it. I think it’s gone to heights in ways it would never have done if we hadn’t covered it.

After hearing the allegations, did you compensate Atude or come to some sort of agreement?

No, I actually haven’t because we don’t earn much in terms of copyright and you know a lot of artists have been trying to fight so that people get paid for their music.

If a song plays in radio or in a club and we are earning from it, we should be earning from it but that law is still very week but we are working on it.

How are you going to convince Atude that you are not earning a lot of money out of Emali?

Well, I have said this before, some Journalists asked me the same question, but I told them that Emali is a beautiful song but with my raptor, it’s a song I can do without, so I loose nothing, no skin of my teeth.

Though people love it, it’s a song I can do a show without. But I met Mzee Atude and I don’t think he thinks the way you are thinking, it’s the journalists trying to twist it a little.

What next for Magola and Atude

Mzee Atude is not losing out as he thinks; I am thinking of what to do as way of giving back rather appreciating him.

we are planning to do a mega video of that song because I know with him and his band in the village it will just be a marvelous move, but you know, all that needs quite a bit of money and I am busy at the moment in politics and everything, so I haven’t had time yet but that’s absolutely one of my plans.