Uru is a musician who has garnered critical acclaim from an international audience for daring to be different. She has been praised by Bill Board magazine as having “the talent to become a chanteuse of FORMIDABLE fame”. Uru’s story is one of individualism and determination. A woman who has a strong sense of what she wants to represent and a woman with strong ideals. She had the option to be signed to a major record label in the United States, rather she chose to go with an independent label that will provide her the freedom to sing and perform the kind of music she wants. Beyond all this, Uru uses her Political Science degree to advocate on different issues plaguing the African continent. I got a chance to speak to this “chanteuse” who mixes Rock music, Hip Hop, Opera and African music into a melodious blend that invites you to her world.

Meet Uru, Africa’s up coming formidable chanteuse

Pammy: Who is Uru?

Uru: I am a child of the globe. I was raised to understand all different cultures. I am well rounded. I love to sing, dance, write poetry, and arrange music. I think the word that most people might use to describe me is, “determined”.

Pammy: Why is that?

Uru: I taught myself how to sing, play the piano and arrange my music. It took me several months to learn all that but once I started, I just got into it. You know a lot of musicians sing really well but they do not know that much about the technical aspects of music. Many do not even write their own music. Having all these skills, it is easier to communicate with other musicians because I speak their language and as such we can understand each other.

Pammy: I know that you got you undergraduate degree in Political Science and Arts. If you had such a strong interest in music, why did you choose that path?

Uru: You know how it is in Africa. Most parents prefer that their children take on sure banker professions. The plan was that I was to become a lawyer but I had no interest in that. You know it is quite funny – I was talking to my dad the other day and he said that everything that I have learnt will be used eventually in the future. Moreover, there are certain skills that Political Science teaches you that you can put to play in music. For example, Political Science has taught me to ask questions about the underlining reasons behind people’s behaviors.

Pammy: Let’s talk about the song, “wrap up” which you did with Ivorien Musician Anofela. How has the response been to that song, particularly in Africa?

Uru: The response has been crazy. When I wrote that song, I really thought that Africans will be so scared to play it on radio but the issue is now very familiar and as such they have welcomed this song with open ears.

Pammy: So, was there any personal experience behind your need to sing “Wrap Up”?

Uru: Fortunately No. But from watching the world, we can see that AIDS is hitting everyone hard. People need to make more noise about it. People dying from AIDS is just senseless considering that there are several preventive measures available. You know if you go to any clinic in any part of the world, you will see youths less than 15 years who are probably going to die from this.

Pammy: That is really sad. Let’s talk about your song “Iwe”, What does Iwe mean? What led you to sing that song?

Uru: Iwe means sorrow and sadness. That song means don’t feel sad, things will get better. I have often gone through times when I am just sorrowful and sad, this generally happens in the quiet hours of the day and I think about my life and where I am right now. If the place I am is not a good place, it just gets to you. That song Iwe is a song of comfort, letting people know that sorrow generally lasts for a moment and that the sun and the rain come out from the same sky.

Pammy: I definitely hear the Rock and Opera influences in your music but I seem to have some difficulties picking out the African influences..

Uru: I love Rock music and good opera. I do a lot of vocalizing in my song. I don’t know if you have ever heard of Celestine Ukwu? Celestine Ukwu was an African musician who wove his notes around, there are very few musicians doing that now. I do the same kind of weaving around on my notes. The African influence can be seen in my timing which is very different from the norm. Beyond that, some of the songs are in my language. I have incorporated a lot of African influence in my music.

Pammy: Does being a musician pay? Is it a profession?

Uru: Music is completely a profession. It is a business. The mistake that many new comers make is that they do not see it as a business and as such they do not take it seriously. There is a lot of money to be made. It is not a joke. It is a job. There are times, you might have to forgo that party because you have to rest your vocal cords. It is serious business.

Pammy: I know a lot of running around occurs with being in your profession. How do you juggle your personal life with this? Do you have a personal life?

Uru: Not really. It is hard for people to understand the scope of what you are doing. Moreover, my band is full of guys, so there is that jealousy factor involved. It is just difficult to find a man who is willing to accept and work with all these issues. Maybe, later I will focus on a relationship.

Pammy: (laughs) Your parents are okay with your putting relationships on ice for now?

Uru: (laughs) You know how it is back home. They are definitely not okay with it. Sometimes, they drive me crazy which I guess is typical. I often hear comments like, “please, bring us some nice boy”. But, I believe that when the right person comes along everything will work itself out.

Pammy: I know you have a new CD coming out soon – what should we be expecting on that CD?

Uru: The name of the CD is “Africa mma” which means Beautiful Africa. The new CD will be coming out in West Africa around Christmas time. It is going to be more political and more real. There are songs there in which I sing about the political crisis taking place around Africa. I sing about environmental issues. I sing about people who come into Africa to ravage the lands, to strip it bare with no care for the people who live on that land. Of course, that CD will have more African music, African hip hop, Rock etc.

Extras: Uru is definitely a social musician who uses her music as a stepping stone to physically get involved in Africa’s issues. Her give back to Africa mindset can be seen in steps that she has taken in her first and second CD to ensure that revenue goes back to Africa. For example, Uru’s first CD, which was packaged in leather was made by local artisans from her home country. The money raised by selling these packages was given back to those local artisans. The idea was simple – get people to enjoy and get paid for making local crafts. Uru’s second CD – “Africa mma” is being pressed and packaged again back home. Beyond all that, Uru has used her song, “Wrap up” to create awareness about the global AIDS crisis. You can get involved with her campaign by going to her website.

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