Starting her musical journey at age six, born Nantege Joyie alias Joyie7star; the multifaceted creative; an actor, Voice-over artist and rapper, used to sing in church at Gangama Catholic Church (Mbale).
Joyie was born and raised in the Kampala suburb of Mutundwe. She likes to refer to herself as ‘the soul sister, the Grimey Rhyme Spitter, who draws inspiration from the 90s (hip hop heads) and Old School rap stars acts EVE, The Notorious BIG, and locally, Lyrical G. She narrates that at some point her buddies called her EVE, an allusion to the world renowned Femcee because she always aced it when she performed the aforementioned’s song. Joyie also admits to fancy ‘Black and Yellow’ singer Wiz Khalifa’s laid-back style of rap.
Her other influence to do music was her brother and second born of the family who Joyie says his good taste in music also moved her to have microphone aspirations as he used to listen to Jagged Edge, NEXT, Joe Thomas and that pretty much made her love that kind of music. Another one of her siblings was a big-time admirer of Ginuwine, and would most of the times influence them to watch his music. Joyie recalls that one of her brothers, once had an insane and burning love for rapping, in that he one day did the entire ‘Slim Shady’ by Eminem, and Buster Rhymes’ ‘Break Ya Neck’ for them at home.
She hadn’t thought about venturing into rap professionally but her eureka moment came over a year ago while in a nail parlor when she watched Kenyan rapper Barack Jacuzzi’s song titled “More Stress” and that’s what woke up the artiste in her and she decided to start rapping. She started out doing freestyles which she shared with her followers on social media and got rave reviews. She also took part in The MTN Rap Battles and even if she exited in the preliminary round, it helped her to deal with stage fright. Recently, she was part of the GNL-sanctioned Dear Hip-Hop Challenge where she was lauded for her unique style and keeping it Old Skool, hence catching the attention of many and making her one of the favorites of the contest, delivering her flow in English and Luganda.
Joyie7star who started out as a Karaoke artiste performing her original lyrics on Old Skool beats and was a popular figure at La Paronis for most who frequent the venue. She started out from there and then morphed from just Karaoke to a recording artist bringing humor, wit and an outspoken persona.
She gained critical acclaim for her lyrical content and style in an age where Hip-Hop has been adulterated. Her debut single “Mubedde” which she dropped early this year was well received. The laid-back feel of an ode to a man that brings out the woman in her, the man that she adores. She flips South African rapper AKA’s “Fela In Versace” to drop bars of admiration. Joyie7star goes from storytelling, to conversational on the same track as she talks about this man who is “Mubede”, one who rocks her world.
Joyie7star’s second studio delivery “Hot Chic Ku Mic” pays homage to the Karaoke Kings collective who gave her the platform to express herself and share her craft with the world. She also makes the song double for her as a bold statement: I am the hot chic on the mic, hence staking the claim the throne of best female Hip-Hop artiste as it’s been vacant since Keko quit the game.
Produced at Aaltimet Records by Yung Jey, ‘Hot Chic Ku Mic’ served as the second placement in what one would call a coming of age musically. On this one, Joyie7star exactly reminds us why we should lend her our eyes on her new single, on which she raps to both English and Luganda, transitioning easily an indication of mastery to a 90’s Hip-Hop style of beats.
She brings all moods. She is vivid, you see as listen what she says. Joy prides herself in being a head. For now, check out her single ‘Hot chic Ku mic’ on Soundcloud below: 😊
