The Citizen Newspaper often traces the artistic works of musicians of South Sudan and interviews them to share their ideas about arts and culture in the new Republic. Recently our Reporter Dhieu Williams met one of the artists Baak Bona Ayuel and discussed with him his performance. Excerpts.
Question: What is your name?
Answer: Hah, My real name is Baak Bona Ayuel.
Q: And what is your stage name that you are popularly known by your fans as coming up artists?
A: My stage name as artist is Dinka Boy, not meaning the Dinka tribes.
Q: For clarity, can you briefly explain why you chose to be Dinka Boy?
A: In fact to be sincere, the name was at first Dinky Boy meaning somebody who like listening to African music. I am not neglecting other tribes as many outside there might think. I don’t mean dinka as a tribe.
Q: When did you start to be an artist or love music and from where?
A: I start to become an artist in 2005 after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement CPA was signed that culminated to full independence in the Diaspora, Northern Uganda, Gulu town while for studies.
Q: And as far now how old are you Dinka Boy?
A: From the time of speaking to you, I am 23 years old. Am a Born in1988.
Q: How many albums have you produced since 2005?
A: As I speak to the Citizen newspaper now I have four albums.
Q: Can you name them please?
A: Who know you, southern connection, leja leja, washaka washaka and Home is Home is in the pipeline plan still in the studio for recording to be featured with one of the most popular northern Ugandan artists Bosmic Otim.
Q: Most of your albums sound to be having a meaning, do you mind interpreted to the fans?
A: Let me start with lega lega, lega lega (Kiswahili) means you as a southerner have to work don’t wait for somebody to work for you. Create yourselves a job while washaka washaka means rubbish rubbish telling cleanliness begins with you so if you are not clean nobody can do it for you. We need this town clean from the work of our hands.
Q: What exactly inspired you to join world of music?
A: You know the talent started when I was at my childhood age that I used to listen much on the folktales, composed songs by the singer of that time in both cattle kraal and villages and beside the courage, desire for music friends also inspired me to push that I was gifted.
Q: Counting the number of your albums and it is expensive recording where do you get funds?
A: Yeah, music is expensive as many know but it depends on the built relationship so I got support from friends who are willing especially Riak John funded me.
Q: In your six years as artist what have you so far achieved?
A: Patience, hope paid two things are involved in what you intend to do, success and failure so my achievement as I speak at least am planning setting up a studio that might earn me constant paid to support my siblings and relatives altogether.
Q: Any challenges you experienced since you became a musician?
A: Anyhow there are more challenges but the main one facing all the musicians in South Sudan is lack of financial support.
Q: Any message to your fans outside there?
A: “Home is home” lets rally behind our president Salva Kiir Mayardit to support him in nation building of our republic, South Sudan. Development is a collective responsibility let us not expect it to come from somewhere and I lastly appreciate the Citizen newspaper administration for hosting me.