“I used to rap illegally to survive at campus”- rapper The Mith reveals

You’ve heard him throw raps at different HipHop concerts, his name has often sprung up when you hear Klear Kut be mentioned somewhere and you know him for his Rick Ross look-alike body, He’s one of Uganda’s finest rappers,Tom The Mith Mayanja the brand ambassador of Pizza Hut Uganda is the man on the hotseat. Campus bee’s Pius Enywaru caught up with him for a throwback on his campus memories. Enjoy;

Who is The Mith

I am Tom The Mith Mayanja, a rapper, a Brand ambassador and Tv Host.

How were your university days like?

I did my university in India and it was pretty interesting.

How was campus like in India and why did you choose India?

This is what happened, at the time when Klear Kut was a huge deal in Uganda, our parents were like it’s important that the crew has education, so they said going to India would be a good experience for me and which was something that I needed.

Which university did you go to and what did you do while there?

I did business commerce at the University of Pune in India.

Did you ever bag retakes while in India

In my first year, I did have a retake in accounts and when I went back for my second year I made sure I shouldn’t get one, because it’s different in India, we didn’t have semesters but a year of study. When I came back for my vacation, I saw my marks and accounts had a fail. I told myself this can’t happen anymore. I went back and did my retake and this didn’t happen again.

How did you survive in India when you ran broke?

I don’t really know how I survived man. Many people try to figure that out but I don’t really know. There was a lot to deal with, there was racism, just a whole different lifestyle. Lectures ended at mid-day and you would have nothing to do for the rest of the day. I couldn’t get a part-time job because I was on a student visa. If you did get a job then that would be illegal.

I tried to apply myself and wrote my first mix tape. I spent most of my time writing music.

So did your active rapping stop when you went to India?

No! This is what I did, I got into some Deejaying group led by a DJ called Sharif who was an Egyptian. He had a number of Deejays and B-boy dancers but what was lacking were rappers. So he added me to his camp but this was illegal as well because we were working and getting paid. They would hire us and instead of giving us $1000 but because it was illegal, he would give $300. You would do nothing about it.

Did you date while in India?

*With an outburst of laughter ….Ahhhh, Now this question is going to get me in trouble… I didn’t necessarily date them (At this point I look at him with the “Then what did you do” look) but I did interact with them. (Mckenzie who was nearby also laughs out loud). We shall keep it at that…wait Campusbee isn’t your website PG (We all laugh at this). We shall keep it at that. That’s where we are leaving it.

How was this interaction like?

What it was though…(He stammers for about a minute as he plans to go through a lie) the ladies there were not really exposed to the blacks and those really had a problem but those that were cool with it, we lived happily.

What’s that embarrassing moment that makes you remember campus life in India?

There is none! I didn’t have any while at campus because we were hardly at campus. Wait! There is this one embarrassing moment. So out of respect, Indians have this thing where they pat your back, it’s not disrespectful in anyway but I found it super weird. I hated it my whole first year. I remember when we were waiting for my final paper, the principal walks past me and pats my back. I turned around and charged at him with all my fury. That was the moment I made it clear that I was not cool with it.

Why are you seated on your degree and chasing music?

With Business Commerce you break into many things, advertising, marketing and I believe with the music we are in, we practice this without knowing I am maybe that’s what I’m doing.

What’s your word for campus kids that want to be rappers like you?

I’d tell them to go for it. You know you have the people that would rather be behind the desks, the creators, whatever your talent is, wherever your heart is , I think giving it a try and training for it is key. Try it, you only live this life once. I feel it’s important for people to have fun, set goals and go achieve them.

Five quick questions;

In UG, who raps better than you?

None

Which Female celebrity do you have a crush on?

One? (He asks repeatedly)  Ellah…yes Ellah. Have you seen that “situation” (He says that with a perv look on his face)

Where is The Mith brand going to be in the next five years?

Definitely more music, more family man..(At this point Radio presenter Bryan Mckenzie who’s nearby interrupts claiming it’s a lie) I also want to have my kid and post them online and the ladies go gaga. Definitely more settled. Five years is all about more.

Does Hip Hop have a direction?  

Of Course it does. The question should be what’s wrong with the industry. We are doing the best we can with what we have. There are people there who have super talent but don’t have platforms. If we have companies and record labels that fish these out, then we can have the best. The industry as a whole has to be tightened.

Which babes do it for you; the fat ass-babes or the small-ass babes?

I got no type, serve it in anyway and we shall roll.