Interview with IVIEW
IVIEW: At what point did you fall in love with music?
CHARLIE TI: I grew up around music because my Dad was a music collector. We had a lot of music in our house and a variety. We used to sing and dance to the music with my dad. So I kind of grew up in that music environment. I used to imitate being a musician while in the garden and the hoe would be my microphone. I would drum bansins tables and anything around me to make beats. I was always displined for being a noise maker. I could even strum combs as guitars, press tables, wardropes etc like I was playing piano. I'm not kidding you, My family always remind me of how I could hold cups, brushes etc as a microphone in my hand. Whatever I could get my hands on was either a microphone or an instruments.
IVIEW: Do you have an overall message you're trying to convey in your music?
CHARLIE TI: I didn't really have a theme in my mind going into writing songs. I could write about anything so long as it was spiritual and Godly but afterwards I just sort of developed my own theme with the songs developing from personal experience and what I want to communicate about especially what God can do to us in the tough moments. Writing songs about walking through brokenness and dark places and then the God’s kind of love on the other side. Some of the songs I just write them praising and thanking God for what we are through His love.
IVIEW: Where did the song “I Need a Miracle” spring up from?
CHARLIE TI: Several years ago I was struggling with a many things in my life. A lot of failures where nothing was going in the right direction; Spiritual, Education, job, family, my mind, persecution etc. I could kneel down and cry to the Lord to give me a miracle in my life. We all pass through those moments when we need a miracle. The Lord literally did miracles in my life as He began to break those chains of bondage in me and touching my family and everything around me. I grew up in a religious family and so when I took the step of faith of accepting Jesus as my personal savior and Lord (being Born Again) everything went worse. My parents looked at it as being rebellious. Then there was this time when everyone; my parents, brothers, sisters and friends went against me for one reason or another and I remained without family or friends. That is when I looked up to God and knew He is my best friend who never lets us down or forsakes us. During the same time I lost my job and many other things happened. At that time I made a decision to step out of my past and just start new and the Lord kind of opened doors for me to just start my life over again. I became saved as a kid but then just had several years of really hard, deep struggles. I still loved God but really struggled with the concept of God's love. But now it's like the Lord's totally pulled me out of that and gave me start over in everything. There a number of other songs I wrote and the one which changed my life was “I have the power to face all situations and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Derived from Phillipians 4:13
IVIEW: When did you first fall in love with creating music?
CHARLIE TI: I started writing songs and playing guitar when I was 17 and we had a guitar in our scripture union so I sort of picked it up and taught myself, I looked at books and looked at people who were playing to pick ideas and how chords were held. With learning guiter my writing skill was made so easy. A year latter I learnt Piano, Bass and Drums. Since then I have been in that line building my skill slowly and that is my reason for being what I am now.
IVIEW: Tell us about how you were nominated to the Kora?
CHARLIE TI: The KORA Awards is an All African Music Awards. In 2005 I recorded a song called Sindi which has a fusion culture beat and everybody around Uganda was calling me and telling me how they loved the song and they encouraged me to send it to the Kora Awards. Reluctantly I did and waw I was nominated in the category of Best Male Artist from East Africa. That was the best moments of my music Carrier. I know there are many more awaiting.
IVIEW: What do you like to do away from the stage and away from music?
CHARLIE TI: I love hanging out with my friends or watch a movie or siting in a quiet place and relaxing
IVIEW: What is your latest Album?
CHARLIE TI: I have already four albums; Why Hypocrisy, I Need A Miracle, Lift Him and His Love. I am now working on the album God is my Papa. On this album am doing a number of collaborations and so far I am already linked up with 3 different artists.
IVIEW: Who is the influence behind your singing and music skills?
CHARLIE TI: God and everybody. I listen a lot and every music has an impact on me. I learn from every body. The very first people to have an impact on me were Itani Madima, Limit X, Fiona Mukasa, Luciano, Kirk Frankline, Papa San, The Winans and many others. And there are others around me who never even recorded a song and yet they had talent that left an impact on me.
IVIEW: How do you see your music? What Gene is your music?
CHARLIE TI: I see my music as Christian/gospel music with a various genes fused together. It is a fussion of Afro pop with Dancehall, Zouk, Reggie, RnB, Quito, Soukous, Culture etc. My music is arranged and customised to reach the people who love rythym and dance and also for those who love to just rest their heads on a pillow and listen. So it depends on what you want to call it.
INTERVIEWS
Knowing Charlie Ti depth
Interview with PAM AWARDS
Charles Titus Wanditi a.k.a Charlie Ti Wanditi is one of the Gospel artists in Uganda. A mature man and in all ways humble. I talked to him and he agreed to do an online interview. In this interview he gives us a number of his views about life, music and his beliefs. Another reason why Pam Awards is your peerless platform to meet your "Celebz"
PAM Awards: For the record can you please let your fans know who you are?
Charlie Ti: I am Charlie Ti Wanditi (Charles Titus Wanditi) I am have loved music since I was young. I started to sing during my early years. During my singing in scripture union choir at St. Peters College, Tororo I learnt to play guiter. I later started a boys group, started composing my own songs and singing along with them.
PAM Awards: So that would mean Charlie Ti Wanditi is your stage name?
Charlie Ti:Oh yes Charlie Ti is my stage name
PAM Awards:Are you vegetarian or carnivore?
Charlie Ti:a carnivore
PAM Awards: Age?
Charlie Ti: I am 35
PAM Awards: Single / married?
Charlie Ti: single
PAM Awards: May I then add that single and searching?
Charlie Ti: no way : I am single but not searching. I am contented and focused.
PAM Awards: When did you start singing?
Charlie Ti:I started singing a little in my sunday schools but seriously in my senior one(1986)
PAM Awards: Talking about school where did you go to school?
Charlie Ti: Bat valley Primary School, St. Peter's College, Tororo, Nabumali High School, Mbale, MUBS.
PAM Awards: So back to the singing How did you start your singing career?
Charlie Ti: when I joined St. peters in Senior 1 I was asked to join either the choir or dramma. Being shy at the time I couldn't imagine myself joining the dramma so I opted for the Choir and when I got there. I discovered the voice and I was able to sing all voices comfortably And that was just the begining
PAM Awards: And when did you start the professional career?
Charlie Ti: I think that was in my Senior 4 when I started writing my own songs
PAM Awards: Were you writing for some people or you kept them for later or started recording than?
Charlie Ti: I wrote for myself and the group I was singing with, later for the band and for a few conference anthems
PAM Awards: Did you have any one in your family who was into music?
Charlie Ti: Nobody. I was the first born in the family. So nobody was a head of me in singing though my dad loved music very much
PAM Awards: Talking about your dad and being a first born, can you share with us about your family?
Charlie Ti: My dad Mr. Wanditi Paddy is a retired engineer and I have 4 brothers and 4 sisters behind me. I thank God for all of them
PAM Awards: And your Mom?
Charlie Ti: My mom passed away when I was a little boy she was a teacher
PAM Awards: Am sorry about that.You sing gospel what is your religious life like?
Charlie Ti: I am born again. Pentecostal
PAM Awards: Where do you pray from?
Charlie Ti:Miracle Center Cathedral Rubaga
PAM Awards: Tell us what it is like paving one's way in a very competitive music world like Uganda
Charlie Ti: It is trick really especially when you are in Gospel because people believe gospel should just end in Church. You don't get equal play on radio stations and it is very competitive. But of recent things are getting levelled
PAM Awards: And what would you say to such people who think gospel ends in church?
Charlie Ti: Everybody has his own way he understands gospel music. To me I understand it as a we of reaching out and blessing someone no matter there religion they need to know of the Love of God so as much as we are church based we need to come out and reach out and bless people outside the church walls. The good thing it is now happening and this is improving gospel music.
PAM Awards: Who are your role models in the music business?
Charlie Ti:Everyone who is around me and everyone I have listened to.I appreciate works of many music artist big and small alike. I respect those though who have done good arrangements and vocals. The people who really touched me at my young age here in Uganda were the then Limit x, 1st Love. Fiona mukasa, Itani Madima not forgetting Integrity Music. I love the winans, kirk and there are many others I can't mention and have good arrangements in their music
PAM Awards: Tell us more about your self? The good and bad part of you
Charlie Ti: I can't praise myself obviously but I would say I am friendly and openminded on the bad side maybe I am kind of strict hahaha.
PAM Awards: These days many musicians depend on song writers, Who writes your music?
Charlie Ti: I have always written my music.
PAM Awards: Do you play any instruments?
Charlie Ti: Oh yes. I almost play all instruments: guitars, bass, keyboards and drums
PAM Awards: Who produces your music?
Charlie Ti: I produce my own music with the help of Tich Touch and V4x Records but my second album I partly completed the vocals with Drake Ssebuuma(FPL Records) and Moses Mukalazi(Mustard Studios).
PAM Awards: There is talk that anyone can now sing because most of the hard work is done by producers to come up with tunes and treat vocals electronically. What is your take?
Charlie Ti: I think that is very true. Producers decide which side your music follows. They determine the arrangements and some even guide the artist. But it is also determined by how good the composition and voice of the artist. So when combined something good comes out
PAM Awards: What do you think makes your music different from others?
Charlie Ti: I always try to be as original as possible; I work on my arrangements, lyrics and do a lot of rehearsals before and I make sure I don't come up with a premature piece
PAM Awards: What is it like walking up in the streets and heads turn coz they recognised you as a musician?
Charlie Ti: Sometimes it is good to know that you are reaching out to the people and they are loving you, but on the other side you loose your privacy in the end.You go to a hotel and everyone knows you, everyone is watching everything you do. Somehow it also tames you to be an example
PAM Awards: There have been too many good and bad comments about PAM awards what do you think of it?
Charlie Ti: I know a few things may not be as everyone expects but I know they are trying. I definitely know their are a number of challenges but I urge them to move on and keep improving so that we get to the standards which everyone appreciates their work
PAM Awards: Any word of wisdom you ever got from anyone that has pushed you on?
Charlie Ti: Faith is the master of all. Depend on God in all circumstances and learning from past achievements mistakes and omissions to move to great heights
PAM Awards: Any word for your fans?
Charlie Ti: I encourage them to keep the moral on and keep expecting more as the Lord leads me and opens doors for me to reach out and record. Just keep visiting my website and listening to the radio for more and more of me and what the Lord has to say through me.
PAM Awards: Ok thank you very much for talking to us. We shall get back to you if there are more that your fans need to know about you and we shall appreciate it when you get us some time.
Charlie Ti: You are welcome thank Bro.
For More information about this artist Please visit his personal website at www.charlieti.com