F2K studios’ eventful journey in production

Most of us have enjoyed music and watched most artistes perform. However, we may be unaware of the personalities behind the production of this music? Located in Nyamirambo, F2K Studio is one of the most renowned studios that have for long done blazed a trail in the country’s music production. The studio’s long serving manager Albert Kambilo, and others talks to The New Times’ Andrew Israel Kazibwe about their experiences in the studio. Below are the excerpts. Q: How did F2K start?A: It actually started up as a small studio founded by Freddy and his colleagues in the late 2007.Q: What inspired the starting up of this studio?A: The music by then was of low standards and we had great hope of raising it especially through production. There was, too, a great need to help artistes to build up their talents. Q: Which artistes did you start with when producing?A: We started with quite a number of artistes most of which were upcoming ones. Our first producer, Dr. Jack produced music for various groups of upcoming artistes by then, which included VTP Soldiers, among others. It is from these groups that artistes like Riderman and Neg. G the General evolved.Lick Lick joined F2K in 2008-2009. He did really much and worked hard in uplifting various artistes that included; Tough Gangs, The Ben, Pacson, Bull Dog, Meddie, Diplomate, King James, Young Junior, Paccy, Bablie and many more. As a producer, he did a lot in uplifting the musical careers of many artistes and for the Studio too through his production work. F2K Studio rose to fame with songs like “Amayobera”, “Umucyakara wibihe”. Most of these great hits have crossed borders to Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo.Producer Junior followed and he too worked hard for various artistes that included; Young Junior, Diplomate and various upcoming artistes. Then Doctor Jack, upon his return, worked on producing “Amahirwe ya nyuma” which was quite a hit. His concentration was based mostly on upcoming artistes who included; Ganzo, Kimaze Family and others.Q: As the former manager F2K, how do you see the music production process? A: Our success has been achieved through the fa ct that producers cooperated with artistes. In return, the artistes cooperated with the producers and the studio’s cooperation with the artistes. Through this cooperation, a lot has been achieved.Q: What has helped F2K stand for long in the music production business? A: We have actually had good cooperation with our clients. In business and friendship, we value our clients. And we have for long maintained our location, we have not shifted and are still in the same premises which too we believe has given our clients a chance to know us more. Frank Mihigo Wamugabo is F2K’s new manager. He is also a Culture Officer and reporter at Igihe Ltd, who joined the studio late last month. He similarly shares his views. Q: As the new manager, what do you hope to work on?A: This studio has seen various producers and artistes all of whom have built it to its frame. I shall continue raising its profile further. I would like to assure our clients that we shall improve and strengthen our cooperation with our clients. Currently, we have Davydenko who is a good producer and I greatly believe he can enormously perfect the production line and work.Q: How do you find production? A: I love music, so I enjoy producing it. It is also a job and I take it seriously. Producing music helps me meet different people, get friendship and experience. Q: What do you find challenging about production? A: The process of production is a long one that really needs enough preparation but that hasn’t been realised by most people especially here in Africa. You find that there comes a client who wants to turn out a song in the quickest way possible because they have money, forgetting that this is all about talent. Music requires patience and enough concentration.

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F2K studios’ eventful journey in production