Biography

Name: Vivian Mimi
Birth: 1999 in Masaka, Uganda
Occupation: Singer, Dancer
Genres: Afropop, Afrobeat, Zouk
Instruments: Vocals

Early Life and Education

Vivian Mimi, a talented Ugandan singer and dancer, was born in the year 1999 in Masaka, Uganda. Her passion for the performing arts began at a young age during her primary school years when she started singing.

Education and Early Exposure to the Arts

Vivian's journey as a performer was nurtured during her school years, where she actively participated in dance and drama activities, as well as music competitions. Her family background also played a significant role in shaping her artistic interests. She hails from a musical family, with her step-brother, Milindwa, being a well-known kadongo kamu singer.

Transition to Jinja

Vivian, initially from Masaka, eventually decided to leave her village life behind and moved to Jinja. In Jinja, she crossed paths with Mathia, a pivotal figure who introduced her to traditional music and dance. Vivian's talent quickly caught Mathia's attention, and she began performing at various gigs. Despite the meager financial rewards from these early performances, Vivian valued the experience and the opportunity to hone her craft.

Emergence as a Singer

Vivian, initially from Masaka, eventually decided to leave her village life behind and moved to Jinja. In Jinja, she crossed paths with Mathia, a pivotal figure who introduced her to traditional music and dance. Mathia, deeply involved in MDD (Music Dance and Drama) and also a writer of school music, recognized Vivian's talent early on. Under Mathia's guidance, Vivian began performing at various gigs. Despite the meager financial rewards from these early performances, Vivian valued the experience and the opportunity to hone her craft. On the road, the group, led by Mathia, would often rent a single room where all the performers and dancers would sleep, cementing their shared dedication to their artistic pursuits.

Independent Pursuit of Music

Over time, Vivian decided to leave the group due to her desire to pursue a professional music career. She subsequently met Godfrey, a gospel singer and video library owner, with whom she formed a close personal and musical connection. 

Together, they recorded a beautiful song that gave Vivian the confidence to believe in herself as she embarked on her official career journey.

Recording Career

During her recording sessions with Godfrey, Vivian impressed the producer with her beautiful voice, leading to the recording of several songs from the producer's archive. Vivian's own songwriting skills also came into play, and she recorded her original compositions. Additionally, she earned income by providing background vocals for established artists.

Managerial Support

Vivian's strong rapport with the producer led to his successful efforts to find her a manager who would play a role in shaping her career. After her contract with the management expired, she decided to relocate to Kampala and focus on her music career.

In Kampala, Imran, a friend of Vivian's sister, introduced her to Baba TV presenter Isaac Kaiyz, who later played a crucial role in connecting her with a music manager named Powers. Powers, a sibling of the soulful singer Liam Voice, supported Vivian in her career development and acted as a bridge between the two singers. Liam and Vivian would go on to become good friends and essentially work on a number of songs together.

Collaboration and Breakthrough

Vivian's collaboration with Liam Voice resulted in the recording of songs like 'Single' and 'Future Hubby.' However, her true breakthrough came with the release of her 2023 chart-topping hit song, 'Hajji,' which catapulted her to fame and established her as a prominent figure in the Ugandan music scene.

Vivian Mimi's journey from a small village in Masaka to becoming a renowned singer and performer continues to inspire others in the music indurstry.