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Life & Work with Shayson Krea of KAMPALA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayson Krea.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Shayson Krea, and I’m a multi-talented music producer, artist, and video director from Uganda. I was raised in a small city called Katende, deep in the heart of Mpigi District. My journey started in the quiet, dusty streets where creativity wasn’t just a passion—it was survival. Today, I’m the founder and CEO of Nelmart Studioz, a creative hub where I bring sound and visuals to life.

I’m most recognized for my signature look: the bandana mask and black cap. It’s not just a style—it’s a symbol of how I channel my story through music without needing to show my face. I believe the art should speak louder than the artist, and mine always tells the truth.

Music wasn’t just something I found—it was always calling me. Since childhood, I felt it in me. I didn’t just want to listen to music—I wanted to make it, shape it, live in it. But growing up wasn’t easy. I was raised by my grandmother, Nanyunja Getrude, in a community that didn’t always understand creatives. In a society where being an artist was seen more as a gamble than a gift, chasing this dream felt like walking against the wind.

The struggle wasn’t just emotional—it was financial too. Getting access to gear, software, even a simple pair of headphones felt like fighting a war. But I never backed down. Every barrier became a beat. Every doubt became a lyric. And slowly, I started building something real—one track, one project, one risk at a time

The moment I knew I was on the right path was the night I made a song called “Pepeta.”
It started with just a trending word. I wrote the intro and chorus in ten minutes. No second-guessing—just pure feeling. That same day, I called up my best friend and music producer, BeatBwoy Kennedy, and we built the full track right there and then. That night, “Pepeta” became a hit. It caught fire in ways I never expected. And I remember thinking—if I had even a small budget, if I had just a bit of funding—how far could this have gone? That moment didn’t just show me my potential—it made me hungry to keep proving myself.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding Nelmart Studioz into a powerful name in video production. I’ve directed for talents like Josh the Brick Layer, Zedi Mafia, Waya Boy, Mulinde Abass, and many other artists. I want to give them visuals that match the heart and soul in their music. And on the music side, I’m working on my album “Shayson Must Shine”—a project that represents everything I’ve been through, and everywhere I’m going.

I want my art to last.
I want it to inspire that one multi-gifted, creative kid with no money but too much talent to be ignored. I want them to know: you don’t need to be rich to be recognized. You just need heart, hunger, and the courage to keep showing up.

To anyone chasing their dream from a small corner of the world—this is your reminder that you’re allowed to shine.
You’re not alone. Keep creating. Keep building. Keep believing in your gift even when no one else sees it yet.
Your light isn’t too small.
Mine started in Katende—and look at me now.

— Shayson Krea, from Africa.
Nelmart Studioz — Purely African Creation.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
The journey’s been full of setbacks—coming up as a creative in a place where art isn’t always respected or understood is already hard. I was raised by my grandmother in a society that didn’t really believe in careers like music, production, or video direction. So from the start, I had to prove not just my talent, but the value of my dream.

Money was another major struggle. I didn’t have access to gear or software. I had ideas, melodies, visuals—but no tools. Every mic I bought, every camera I got my hands on—it came from sacrifice. There were times I wanted to quit, when nothing made sense. But I kept going, even when it felt like no one was watching.

Each struggle taught me something—how to hustle, how to stay grounded, and how to create value even with limited resources. That mindset is what built Nelmart Studioz and shaped Shayson Krea into who I am today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a music producer, artist, and video director—but above all, I’m a storyteller.
I specialize in bringing ideas to life through sound and visuals. I run Nelmart Studioz, where we produce music and create music videos rooted in authentic, African creativity. I’m known for my faceless identity—the bandana mask and black cap. It’s not a gimmick. It’s my way of showing that the art comes first. You don’t need to see my face to feel my presence.

I work across different genres and formats, blending African rhythms with modern soundscapes. On the video side, I’ve directed for artists like Josh the Brick Layer, Zedi Mafia, Waya Boy, and Mulinde Abass, delivering visuals that tell real, raw stories.

What I’m most proud of is that I built all of this from scratch. No label, no big investor—just passion, grit, and faith in my purpose. I didn’t wait for someone to open the door. I created one.

What sets me apart is my versatility and my roots. I’m not just a beatmaker or a cameraman—I’m a full creative force. Every project I touch carries a piece of where I come from. My vision is African. My sound is African. Nelmart Studioz is Purely African Creation.
And I think that’s what makes it powerful—it’s real.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happy is creating.
Whether it’s building a beat, writing a song, directing a video, or just helping another artist bring their vision to life—that process gives me life. It’s the one space where I feel free, understood, and connected to something bigger than me.

What also makes me happy is seeing others rise.
When someone I worked with drops a fire track or levels up because of a project we did together—that’s a different kind of joy. I know what it’s like to come from nothing, so helping someone else get closer to their dream makes all the struggle worth it.

I create not just for myself, but to inspire—to be proof that no matter where you come from, your art can take you places.

Pricing:

  • 🎵 Music Production – Starting at UGX 300,000 per track (includes beat, recording & mixing)
  • 🎥 Music Video Direction – Starting at UGX 600,000, depending on concept and location
  • ✍️ Songwriting & Vocal Coaching – Starting at UGX 150,000 per session
  • 📦 Full Artist Branding Package – Custom pricing (includes audio, video, and visual content strategy)
  • To book a session or inquire about a project, reach out via: 📧 Email: shaysonk@gmail.com 📱 Instagram: @shayson_krea Note: Prices may vary based on project scope. Open to reasonable budgets for serious artists.

Contact Info:

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