Musicians should live beyond alcohol, drugs and smoking

By Our Reporter

I don’t understand why some of our artists/musicians think or believe that they have to drink, smoke; have tattoos and dreadlocks to be cool (Things they never used to do or have before they became artists). I don’t get it how getting drunk in public every single weekend determines if one is a real celebrity. So you can’t sing and be a normal person without people liking your music? If you don’t engage in drugs and fights, your music won’t reach to the top? Money changes people but only the wise can use that change positively.

I have observed some of our celebrities going broke simply because they chose to live a life to impress the public. Some don’t even own a house or a plot. The little money they started making drove them crazy to a point that they even forgot how to save for tomorrow. I don’t fully blame them though because we the public also contribute to these behaviours. Let me explain why…

We the public believe that artists have to wear expensive clothes, drive in expensive cars, eat in expensive restaurants, live a lavish life and dash people with money. When some artists try to be themselves (simple and down to earth), we turn around and point fingers at them. We label and call them names simply because they are being themselves. We contribute indirectly to many people’s failures and downfalls.

We need to come to a realisation that artists are just ordinary people like you and me with a talent/gift that they realised. They are our brothers and sisters. Anyone can act cool… Anyone can be cool. But the difference here is that some people had education and understanding of how to live among others before they got to where they are now (whether an artist, politician, businessman/woman or other), while others did not. Those who didn’t, find it hard to act normal now that they have money. Their behaviours are a bit primitive. The way they spend their money says a lot about them. They way they go about resolving conflicts and addressing issues in public define their personalities.

To be a good role model requires a lot of sacrifices because you’re not only representing yourself out there. There are many young people looking up to you for directions and motivations. There are people expecting you to empower them through your music, behaviours and personalities so they can reach their potentials.

Radio was recently beaten in a bar brawl and it resulted into his death 

This thing of seeing grown up Ugandans going Live on Facebook arguing and fighting like women must stop. You see a grown up man recording himself live on social media talking trash about a fellow man as if he has no better things to do. If you have nothing better to do, please call your grandma and check on her. Spend time with your children and tell them stories that will help them grow into responsible men & women. It’s sad and very shameful. Record and share motivational and inspirational videos with people; share things that will help others to grow. The only person on this earth that you can compete with is yourself. At the end of the day, there will always be someone better than you, richer than you and more attractive than you. So be yourself and do what’s right. Act your age and be a good role model to the rest.