Museke.com caught up with Ugandan dance superstar and Hotsteps winner, Antonio Bukhar for an interview. Below is the transcript.
Museke.com: How are you doing?
Antonio: Am good, just came back from Germany after a two weeks tour with Burudani Dance Company.

Museke.com: Can you tell us about your background and family?
Antonio: I am the 4th born in a family of 5 kids. Mum and Dad are in business, the 1st born is in UK, 2nd born working in hotel business, 3rd born is a teacher, and then the last one is in A-level.
There is not so much music and dance (in the family) but they all have rhythm. The best thing is that I have 100% support from them to chase my dreams and goals. It's a happy family.

I went to Mugwanya preparatory school Kabojja for p1 and p2. Then I went to Massajja modern from p3 to p7. From s1 to s6, I was at Lubiri sec sch. After that, I went for a computer networking course{cisco} at Makerere University. I’ve been a church choreographer for over 6 years, since 2001. I am the co-founder of the Breakdance project Uganda. I was performing for G-force dance group for over 2 years. Once worked for MTN as a promoter in line of entertainment.

Museke.com: For how long have you been dancing?
Antonio:I have been a dancer since the age of seven.

Museke.com: Which competitions have you participated in?
Antonio: Miracle Awards at Miracle Centre Cathedral, Hot steps dance competition, of which I came number 1 in all. Also took part in a Gospels singing competitions called Soul fest and I won in the hip-hop category.

Museke.com: How was the Hotsteppers contest experience?
Antonio: It was a very good experience. I got to meet dancers from different areas doing different styles. Being tried out in a number of styles challenged me to better myself in all. The best part was that it gave me publicity, which is good for someone going into music.

Museke.com: What dancers or dances did you admire growing up?
Antonio: Michael Jackson, Usher mainly…
About styles it was mainly break-dance, hip-hop and lingala at one point. I have now added on krumping.

Museke.com: Which African musicians do you admire?
Antonio: P –Square, 2-Face, Maurice Kirya.

Museke.com: Who are some of the musicians you have performed with, either in music videos or stage shows?
Antonio: Chameleon, Bebe cool, Blu-3, Alfa, Obsessions, Vamposs, Sylvester and Abramz

Museke.com: Where from the name Bukhar, what does it mean?
Antonio: Ha! Well during the time when I was staying at the church premises, we used to address money as ‘buka’. Also being good at dancing "bu dance obuka", contributed to the name Bukhar. Just gat a cool way of writing it and my pastor always said it's prophetic… hahaha!

Museke.com: What drove you to take on this album? Have you always wanted to do music?
Antonio: It has always been my passion since childhood and I believed this is the perfect time.

Museke.com: Which musicians would you like to work with?
Antonio: Of course all those I mentioned that I admire but nearly would to work with any good musician.

Museke.com: What is the inspiration for the songs you write?
Antonio: My greatest inspiration is what I do and that is dance. In all my songs I have done there is somewhere I speak dance {which I always think of as joy and happiness}.

Museke.com: Do you think there is a dearth (lack) of showstoppers or performers in the Ugandan music industry?
Antonio: There are lots of performers in Uganda but I think it could be better if they don't only look at the main stream. There is more talent that is yet to be exposed. There are lots of good songs but not played on radio for crazy reasons.

Museke.com: What type of music are you doing and why did you choose this?
Antonio: I love RnB coz of musicians who inspire me but I fuse it with an afro taste to reflect where I come from.

Museke.com: How popular is beat boxing and break dancing in Uganda?
Antonio: Beat boxing not big but now break-dance is getting bigger and bigger.

Museke.com: Are you on a record label and how is that going?
Antonio: Am not yet signed

Museke.com: What challenges do you face in the Ugandan music industry?
Antonio: On top of doing great songs and videos you need to be good at contacts in order to make it big.

Museke.com: What is your take on piracy and payola (paying money to deejays to play your music?)
Antonio: Its happening around here but I don't think it should be that way!

Museke.com: What is in the future of your music?
Antonio: THE LATTER WILL BE GREATER THAN THE PAST

Museke.com: Do you have any present engagements and works other than dancing/music?
Antonio: Not really, it’s all about music and dance at the moment.

Museke.com: What are your hobbies and pastimes?
Antonio: Hanging out with friends and watching TV.

Museke.com: Do you have a website?
Antonio: Not yet with an official site but apparently use www.myspace.com/antoniobukhar01 for music and www.myspace.com/antoniobukhar for dance.

Museke.com: Give us your Parthian shot – last words, words for fans, etc.
Antonio: I SEND OUT MUCH LOVE TO ALL MA FUNS. AM TAKING MY TIME WORKING ON GOOD MUSIC AND VIDEOS FOR U.

I PROMISE U THE BEST AT PERFORMANCE AND INTERTAINTMENT AT LARGE. LOOK OUT!!!!! GOD BLESS U!

Museke.com: Thank you for your time
Antonio: Much love man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!