By Crystal Okusa

Esther Nabaasa, the jolly and rather composed Tusker Project Fame (TPF2) winner landed back in Kenya with a new sound.

After months of waiting — since she won the coveted TPF2 last year, the Ugandan songstress has finally recorded her debut 11-track album, Rock In The Country Soul — a fusion of Pop, country, Rock and R&B.

"I decided to go Pop and Rock because the music scene is taking that direction. This way, I will remain relevant among fans and also cut across different ages," she said upon landing from South Africa.

Esther Nabaasa

"I composed all the lyrics and arranged most of them with the help of my manager, Shaka. The songs are predominantly done in English and laced in Luganda," she added.

It also features South Africa artiste Smanga Ngumbui.

The album was recorded at Master Mixx Studio, Johannesburg and not at internationally respected Gallo Records.

"Mixx Studio is a subsidiary of Gallo Records. Gallo had many other bookings and that is why she recorded at Mixx Studio," said Shaka.

Esther says that she took her time recording the album because she wanted to perfect her artwork and come up with a product worth her status.

Dropped degree course

"The album will be out in next month. Gallo will be in charge of the promotions," she said.

The singer recently dropped her degree course at Makerere University and has chosen to focus on her music career. It will be interesting to see how she matches up the success of Valerie Kimani, the winner of the inaugural TPF whose songs are already making headways in Africa and Europe.

"I want to change my course to study music-oriented subjects. Engineering was really not my cup of tea, " she said.

Soon after bagging the Sh5 million, Esther was rumoured to have dumped her boyfriend of many years Tony — word the singer now refutes.

"Tony and I are still together. That was a rumour from a Ugandan tabloid. I don’t even I know who Julius is." The Julius Kavuya in question is said to be a son of a Kampala tycoon.

Esther who won a Mercedes E220 and bought a few acres of land says her love-life has not changed. "My celebrity status has put me on the spotlight. I am ready to take criticism from people," she said.

"Project Fame is a worth talent search helping many East Africa young talents to nature. The growing pains that the contestants go through are great lessons not only for the winner but also the other finalists. One can build on this to become a big star," she remarked.

"I am encouraging the many youth who believe that they have a music talent to take courage and join this years search," she concluded.