Behind the curtains of producer Lick Lick

Lick Lick is one name mentioned again and again in the hit songs in Rwanda. Producer Uwimbabazi Patrick better known as Lick Lick was has been nominated twice for “Best Producer” in the Salax awards. Born on July 5, 1987 as the third born of five, Lick Lick started his passion for music as a toddler. He sang in church choirs and playing drums was his hobby. He went to school at Ecole Primaire de Kicukiro, joining St. Andrews Nyamirambo for secondary. He completed High School in 2007 but gave up a university government sponsorship opted for his passion- music production. Though Lick Lick is an overnight achiever and is arguably the best producer in Rwanda ever, he has a simple music background. He started singing in church choirs in 2003 along with Meddy and The Ben, a gospel group that went by the name “Justified”. He attributes his turn to production to the then dominant producer Pastor P. “We wanted to release our songs but Pastor P produced for us what was opposite of the expected… I felt that I could do something better myself,” says Lick Lick. A friend offered an old desktop and flute trupes (recording software) and there was Lick Lick, starting his music production journey. He moved from studio to studio, producing as a junior. It was not until late 2010 when he produced Bull Dogg’s debut, “Umunsi W’imperuka” that his name got mentioned in Rwandan music.Lick Lick moved from studio to studio including Dream records and F2K but it was not long before setting up his own, “Unlimited Records”. In fact he mentions the day he bought the studio as his ‘most memorable day’ By producing hit after a hit, Lick Lick set a revolution that saw hip hop and R’nB beat other music styles in Rwanda.“I couldn’t believe it hearing ‘Umunsi W’imperuka’ shinning on radio…. even my other songs like ‘Amayobera’ and ‘Umucyakara W’ibihe’ still sound a dream to me,” says the producer. It was from Lick Lick’s brain that renowned artists, the likes of The Ben, Tuff Gang, Diplomate, Riderman, King James and notably Meddy were promoted to superstar status. About his private life, Lick Lick leaves bed late and starts production which he does throughout the day. He likes spending much time with his family and leisure at the poolside with his sweetheart.He doesn’t drink alcohol and ironically rarely hits discotheques. Along with his success, controversies have recently risen around Lick Lick. Producers claim he takes their products from their studios and releases them as his. He once released The Ben’s “Amahirwe y’anyuma” which was first made by producer Dr Jack. All the fans danced to Lick Lick’s polished version. He also recently released songs for Riderman and King James with the same problem. A close analyst however will not lay blame on Lick Lick for this mess because he has the quality that artists run for.“Artists bring their songs and I record them without questions- I am paid money in exchange for my services,” Lick Lick tells The SundayMag. Lick Lick was also once charged with breaching recording deals of junior artists who had paid him to record their songs. We saw him face money problems with his boss who at the time accused him of swindling the production revenue. The saga reached the authorities but luckily ended up with Lick Lick buying all shares in the studio. But Lick Lick doesn’t show any signs of going back soon. He recently signed many upcoming artists to his record label. The likes of singer Knowless, Newman, rapper Bably and Paccy have the potential of stepping in foot steps of their seniors to keep Lick Lick walking tall. Ends