For A Pass, music is about more than making people dance, dominating playlists or generating income. The Ugandan singer says he wants to create songs that connect with listeners and retain their meaning long after the excitement of a new release fades.
The singer acknowledges that money is an important part of life, but insists it is not the primary motivation behind his music.
“I need money just like anyone else, but I don’t make music for money,” he said.
A Pass believes that making profit the main objective could push him towards releasing songs primarily for their immediate appeal rather than concentrating on the work he wants to be remembered for.
“If money were my primary motivation, I would have to release a lot of music simply for the vibes,” he explained.
He added: “There are other artists who can do vibe music; I left it for them.”
His comments suggest that he is deliberately choosing a particular creative direction in an industry where musicians must balance artistic expression with the commercial demands of making a living.
Music designed for parties, dancing and quick enjoyment remains an important part of the industry. A Pass’s point, however, is that he does not want that to be the sole consideration guiding his output.
For musicians, commercial success can be measured through streams, airplay, bookings and the revenue a song generates. But A Pass appears to place equal importance on whether his work resonates with listeners beyond its initial release.
His position also raises a familiar question for artistes navigating the music business: how do they meet the financial demands of their careers without losing sight of the kind of music they want to make?
For A Pass, the answer appears to lie in prioritising creative purpose over the pressure to release music simply to keep the money coming in.
That does not mean commercial success is unwelcome. Rather, he wants it to be a result of making music on his own terms, not the reason for making it in the first place.
Source: Sqoop Uganda
