Talking Miles

By Austine Okande

Uganda’s dancehall star Peter Miles talks to Pulse about his music success and the rumoured love triangle between him, Juliana Kanyamozi and Jackie Candiru.

Pulse: You are currently working with many international dancehall stars. Give us an insight into this.
Miles: Am trying to diversify my art as I focus on conquering the international market. I have done projects with General Levy, Elephant Man, Spice and De Marcos. I have just finished working on a collabo with Levysill.

Let’s talk about this latest development...
Levysill and I agreed to work together some few months ago. I had heard his music from my video producer and I liked it. The single is called Full Attention.

Word has it that when Elephant Man came to perform in Kampala last December, you drove him in your Mercedes Benz and that is how you clinched the recording deal. Is that true?
Everyone wanted to record with him when he came over. I am told Bobi Wine and DJ Michael were also interested. I am happy I clicked the deal. We drove down to my Road Block Studios (in Entebbe) and recorded the song there.

Is it true that this created bad blood between you and Bobi Wine, who is sometimes considered bigger than you, in the realm of music?
Let’s not talk about beef with an artiste. Keep the focus on, man...

But beef sells in Ugandan showbiz. Every big star always seems to ride on someone else to make it each season...But am not everyone, am 1?

Moving on... do you attribute the new huge collabos to your overwhelming experience and music success?
Yes I do. I have toured the world and featured in huge concerts and that translates to great connections with producers and artistes. From the G8 Summit performance in Germany, winning Channel O Awards; my songs are getting high rotation on MTV-Base and much more — that gives me a great platform to measure up as a reputable star.

For over a decade you have been consistent and become one of the big dancehall names in East Africa. What is your secret to showbiz longevity in a region where stars don’t last?
My lyrics are deep as I do a lot of research before I release a song. Music should cut across seasons and generations. It should come from deep within your soul.

It is said that most of your songs are derived from your real life experiences...
True. I write songs on the different moments I experience in life. I also relate them to a lot of what goes on in our society.

Media buzz has lately turned attention on rumours on you, Juliana Kanyamozi and Jackie, both of whom you are said to be dating.
Juliana is a special friend that I’ve known for a long time but we are not dating.
 

What about Cleopatra?
M: She is a very close friend. I have known her for over 15 years.

So you are dating?
M: When you are friends with someone for that long, friendship ceases to be normal. Now, she is a special person in my life.