Singer Mad Ice: Building Bridges between the Nordics and East Africa through Music

Ahmed Mohamed Kakoyi popularly known as Mad Ice has been living in Finland since 2004. Famous for songs like Baby Girl, Delilah, and Beautiful, the Ugandan brought up in Tanzania has been in the showbiz industry for almost 20 years now. He is also among the few lucky musicians who have managed to stay relevant in East Africa and also build a very strong presence in Finland where he is a radio host, organizer of AfroSundays, a Scandinavian award-winning club show, and music producer. He shared with Cate Mukei how he uses his platform and experience to build bridges between the Nordics and East Africa, how he managed to remain relevant, and his current and upcoming projects.

“I use my experience to help upcoming African artists,” Singer Mad Ice

The last time we spoke, you were working on a project meant to inspire young upcoming musicians. How is that going?

It’s still ongoing but I’m working on a YouTube channel that will provide a bigger platform to talk about music, give tips and even invite guests. I am not a master but I have experience and I want to use my journey to inspire upcoming artists. This whole idea started during the pandemic because I could not travel to East Africa. Previously I was doing workshops in Tanzania with musicians in person but they requested me to do it online to keep sharing the knowledge. I also have a company that is a production team here in Finland and when I don’t have clients I work on this project.

Is it easy to get partners or sponsors to get some of these projects running?

The workshops in Tanzania have been from my pocket. When I visit, I spare a day or two because I don’t want anyone to feel how I felt when I was starting and that’s why I volunteer my knowledge. I normally talk to art spaces in Dar es Salaam who provide venues but that is about it. Of course, it would be nice if someone could foot these bills, fly me down there and have events often. However, I must mention that my last workshop was sponsored by the Royal Dutch Embassy who provided lunch and transport for the attendees.

Interesting... but how do you manage to stay relevant back home?

I maintain my roots by going back home often. And unlike most artists, I have a very personal relationship with media. I create relationships by keeping in touch even when I don’t have music to promote.

Is it that easy?

It was not easy when I started but I have mastered it. It started back when I was based in Tanzania; I call them and ask about their health, family, and growth. We have very human conversations and that makes it easy to reconnect when I fly back home.

Are you doing the same in Finland?

That’s a very different ball game so I have learned different things here as well... 

(Interrupts) Like what? Could you name three things that African musicians could learn from the Nordics?

First, let me state that I am very time conscious and this helped me fit in the Finnish industry. I learned how to produce and collaborate in Finland. This put me on a different scale such that while my fellow musicians are focusing and are ok with hit songs, I have an upper hand because I know how to work behind the scenes as well.

Back to your question, Finland is the country of heavy metal while Sweden is the international hub where hit songs are made. In that aspect, they are way ahead and their structures are very different not to mention that they have the money to invest in proper music management. Music release is based on quality and timing. I have seen that East Africans are also trying to do this and that’s a huge step. Previously, Nigerians and South Africans have managed this. What fails us as Africans is thinking we are everything and so we are not humble. We need to respect people who run the industry. On the other hand, stakeholders need to support and appreciate musicians too. For instance, radio stations need to learn that they need artists as well. There needs to be a collaboration. Musicians need to understand that we are needed and no one is doing us a favor.

You have a new song out, Sina, a bit mellow compared to your previous hits...

But that’s the real me... I love ballads! I grew up listening to country music, soft rock and Caribbean [music]. I listened and fell in love with Lionel Richie. Then I crossed over to Jamaica’s Shabba Ranks and Chaka Demus whose dancehall music was very relatable in Uganda. So I can do both but became very popular with my high-tempo music. Sina, which is available on all music platforms, was recorded four years ago and I wanted to release it in December but there were Christmas Carols and therefore I had to wait for the right time which was a few weeks ago.

Whom did you work with in Finland for this song?

I worked with DJ Hermanni whom I also worked with on Delilah and Beautiful. He and I have worked together on the radio for 10 years.

What is the first thing you will do after the pandemic?

I want to do a concert. I also wish to do a Nordic-Baltic Tour. I have had a lot of time since the pandemic though which has helped me to work on things that I had neglected like producing for other people.

By: Cate Mukei