Grace Nakimera would rather build her music career on her own than hand control of it to a record label.
The veteran singer says independence has allowed her to own her music and make decisions across different parts of her career without worrying about what happens when a contract ends.
She has handled everything from fashion and production to promotion and stage work, and says that experience has shaped her strong views about record labels.
I am the kind of artist who has built everything on my own from scratch, from fashion and production to promotion and the stage. I own my music. I do not understand labels. They limit creativity.
Nakimera’s concerns go beyond creative control.
She claimed that artists can also lose access to things such as their stage names, YouTube channels and catalogues after leaving a label.
Being an independent artist is the best because, if I were signed to a record label, I would not be able to perform my own songs right now. When artists leave labels, they can even lose their stage names, YouTube channels, catalogues and other things.
She also has a more unusual concern about signing with the wrong people.
During an interview on The Deep Talk, Nakimera warned artists to consider the spiritual beliefs of the people they plan to work with, claiming that labels can seek control over artists beyond their music.
If you are going to sign with a management company or record label, make sure you are on the same spiritual side. Otherwise, they can perform rituals on you and take your star. They own you in everything, even spiritually.
Nakimera will take her independent music journey to Serena Kampala Hotel on September 11, 2026, for her upcoming concert.