Monday Times:Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Matovu Brooks Ivan,aka Brooks Aftermath.I am an inspirational underground hip hop artist/activist/Mcee.
Monday Times: Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do first of all because I have got passion for it.I love hip hop and because I can inspire and educate people through this genre of music.
Monday Times:How do you work?
I get a concept on which am going to rap about or do a song about like the current situation of ‘Togikwatakko.’ That is a concept. I write about it then hit the studio then voice it. It takes me like 15 minutes then the recording sessions ends. Then my producer mixes it and in a couple of days the song is out.
Monday Times:Where are you from?
I was born in Mukono and raised in Kampala. I did my primary at Standard Primary School in Namasuba Zana then went for my ‘O’ level at Mengo Senior School. Then later joined Lubiri Secondary School for my ‘A’ Level. After all that I joined Ndejje university for my Bachelors Degree in Industrial Art and Design though I dropped out in my second year due to ex reasons.
Monday Times:What role does an artist have in society?
Well they are so many first, an artist is supposed to inspire people through his music.He is supposed to give hope for the hopeless. He has to be a voice for the voiceless. He is supposed to educate lots of people too through his music.
Monday Times:Explain what you do in a few words?
Well first of all I am a business guy.I am in the agricultural sector.I am a broker in other words not in plots and lands but agricultural sector dealing in maize beans soya and so on.Second I am an inspirational hip hop artist/mcee/activist /revolutionary. I think that’s me all day all week 24/7 365days.
Monday Times:What is your strongest memory of your childhood?
Well I think when i used to play gunish. You know we used to make guns using ebiyuni.I don’t know how to call them but you understand what I am talking about and call ourselves Rambo. I think that is the strongest memory.
Monday Times:What do you normally rap about?
Most of the times I like to rap about hope, real life stories like my song titled ‘my life’.It is a real life experience. Then I like to do inspirational songs too then political issues. Actually an Mcee talks about every thing. That’s is political issues giving hope and inspiring the community through hip hop music and that’s me.
Now there’s is this new collaboration I had with my fellow Mcees. Its all about what is going on in the country right now ‘togikwattako.’ We already did a song for it titled ‘Eggwanga.’
Monday Times:What is your scariest experience?
Well that is when I lost my two sisters at once.I remember I was at school then the Head Master called me in his office and told me what happened, I was very very scared I couldn’t handle it. And I was actually still a child. I was around in my P5 I admit I really got scared. I loved my sisters man. May they RIP.
Monday Times:What’s your favorite art work?
You mean as in art or hip hop? If it is hip hop, there’s this song it’s titled ‘I pray.’I think from all the songs I have ever made.
This is the one I listen to and am like yeah this is some classic stuff. Most of my fans like ‘hip hop kijjulo’ but well I think ‘I pray’ is my favourite.Then art I think I like abstract paintings.
Monday Times:Describe a real life situation that inspired you?
I remember that I was at my hostel we watching some old music with a couple of guys we were watching the Nas then Wu Tang clan.
Lots of guys then they were these guys Bexos and Big St. These guys knew the whole history of hip hop. I mean every thing. I can’t lie. I also new some little but there was some information that I didn’t have a clue about but these guys knew and to top it on they threw a beat on they started rapping. One was doing luga flow then the other guys was doing English. So I started feeling what they do just from there. Then I went and a brought a book.i just got the feel from there.
I then sat with them and started writing something. I remember there were some guys around who were like look I think Brooks I also writing something.They laughed but I told them no I wasn’t writing anything. In conclusion those two guys inspired me to start this. Though I used to watch hip hop videos and listen to the music,i never thought of writing songs not until that day.
Monday Times:Whats your most embarrassing moment?
I think that is when I went for my first interview on Radio City.It was my first time and I was nervous.So I didn’t feel the interview. I felt embarrassed.
Monday Times:What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Well they are many. I was into painting houses, art, then welding then Brooking. I think that’s all.
Monday Times:Professionally what’s your goal?
All I need is respect. I want to be remembered as a hip hop legend and activist.I want the young generation to come to me for guidance through the real hip hop journey. Consult me on any issues concerning hip hop. That is all I want.
Monday Times:What wouldn’t you do with out?
That is hip hop music.
Monday Times:How many audios and videos produced so far?
Well they are lots of audios and I have worked with lots of producers.I worked with Lex Logic, Rix, 207, and lastly Nase Avatar. Those are the producers I have worked with.
The videos I have not shot any but am shooting my song ‘I pray’ next week. I will be giving you the links.
Monday Times:What food, drink, or song works for you?
Food includes rice with vegetables, and greens then drink it is.
I love water man.Then song I won’t be specific but I love reggea vibes and real the roots.
Monday Times:What do you dislike about you work?
There is nothing I dislike about my work. I love every thing about my work because I take a lot of time and knowledge when constructing it. In other words I can’t dislike my creativity
Monday Times:What do you like about your work?
It’s unique because it inspires and motivates. It encourages people. When you listen to most of my music there is at least an inspiring sentence or phrase. That is what I love about it and I think that is what my fans like about it.
Monday Times:What makes you angry?
They are a little things that make people angry but I think there’s that one thing that really pisses me off. And I think that one thing is I don’t like being lied to.
Monday Times: What Super power would you like to have and why?
I think I would like to have healing powers because I really love healing people’s wounds and problems through inspiring them and telling them yes you gonna be fine according to each one’s problems or burdens.
I like healing people’s souls. I want people to have happy lives. That is why most of my music is inspiring.
Monday Times:What is your dream project?
I want to have a stand up rap poetry and hip hop thing in Uganda. Where real Emcees come out out and present their art and works. And these should be inspiring Emcees. Poetry and rap.That’s my dream project. This helps the young generation to know how the culture (hip hop) and know the real hip hop. Hence helping the society.
Monday Times:Name three artist you would like to be compared to
Well it depends where. In Uganda, I like Gnl Zamba and Babaluku then abroad. Common, Nas, and J Cole.
Monday Times:What is your favourite or most inspirational place?
The studio.
https://m.howwe.biz/brooks-aftermath.html
