About His Unique Style, Cultural Influence, and Rising Stardom.
We had the opportunity to catch-up with the dynamic creative force, Ambroy Ngaruye with hits like ‘Ndongo‘ & ‘Muniga‘ and an offense in the new wave of artists behind anthems such as ‘To Party‘ featured by Starcent DJ.
Ambroy shared with us the captivating story of how he stumbled into the world of music coupled with the remarkable journey that has shaped him into the artist he is today; born and raised in the vibrant city of Mbarara, in South-Western Uganda, Ambroy’s love for musical art took root at the tender age of six with an ardent music-loving mother armed with her old cassette radio and an extensive collection of music tapes from around the world, this became his gateway to the world of enchanting melodies and it’s from then that it dawned on him music was calling in.
What gives Ambroy an edge with the listener is his seamless blending of the languages of Runyakitara and English; as an artist, he effortlessly creates a linguistic balance, bridging the gap between what some may call uptown and downtown rap leaving the listener in awe of how he makes it look so easy? An attribute he credits to the ability to immerse himself in a wide range of genres, drawing inspiration from both his homeland and beyond while keeping a wealth of Runyakitara and English literature at his disposal, ensuring that he maintains a smooth fusion that captivates his listeners.
We delved deeper into the significance of Runyakitara in Ambroy’s artistic expression and he showed us how it was only natural for him to carry his culture along with his artistry. It is clear to see how Ambroy expresses a profound desire to share the untold music history of his land with the new generation, using his music as a vessel to shine first a local and then a global spotlight on Uganda.
On the impact of his style so far, Ambroy hopes to make waves in Africa, his passion for maintaining authenticity within his sound and style is apparent as he yearns for people to feel the art for what it truly is – a raw and honest expression, devoid of any other industry distractions that come with hustle, he seeks to elevate the diverse Ugandan culture on a global scale, encouraging listeners to embrace the richness and uniqueness of his motherland’s heritage.
He humbly admits that artist’s block doesn’t let him be at times but the determination to create always prevails, he likens inspiration to a friend that shows up on certain stretches of the creative journey and is embraced whenever graced with the presence.
Ambroy on his musical journey wants his audience to experience enough emotions – to learn, laugh, cry, and dance freely, he positions his music to transcend age barriers, meant to be enjoyed by family but importantly driven by the genuine desire to touch the hearts of his fans and create connections that go beyond geographical spaces.
Ambroy’s upbringing and cultural background have played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic journey; from his early days in the school choir, where his vocal abilities were honed, to his exploration of various music genres through dance, he absorbed diverse musical influences. However, it was his mother who served as his biggest inspiration when in his childhood, she shared his passion for music, nurturing his love for the art form, he reminisces about their shared musical enthusiasm, realizing that her influence laid the foundation for his remarkable journey.
Ambroy also has his idols and influences that have silently guided his path and continue to do so, he expresses immense admiration for Ray G, whose lyrical talent has had a profound impact on him, Haka Mukiga, a poet from Kabale, Fik Fameica, John Blaq, Mun G, Burnaboy and Rema from Nigeria.
As our conversation drew to a close, Ambroy gave us an exclusive glimpse into his upcoming projects and epic collaborations while visibly reluctant to mention in order to keep the work in the kitchen as a surprise for fans, he hinted on upcoming projects with the dynamic Wonder JR, rap maestro Ruyonga, Kavali King, and Pryce Teeba.
Onward to reflecting on his personal philosophy, Ambroy reveals a profound belief in the duality of life, he puts on lens that can see both good and bad in every situation, and the good perspective fuels his resilience, deliberately striving for positivity and staying aware, unafraid to seek the best that the universe has to offer.
In a final moment of imagination as we painted a vivid picture of him on a grand stage, with thousands of fans chanting his name, what would the feeling be? Ambroy hopes that his music will touch the hearts of listeners near and far, yearning for his life’s work to live on, carrying his message of self-expression and fearlessness long after he has left the stage.
Ambroy is poised to leave an indelible mark on the music world.
Listen to his latest release ‘Owangye‘ below.