On 14th January 2019, a new hit “Ebbango Waliwanika” bombarded the airwaves across the world.
The song was done by Derrick Ddungu popularly known as Rickman Manrick featuring DT Timo whose audio was produced by Artin and the video shot by Trafik Films.
Many will not believe that Rickman is an active professional footballer plying his trade with Sävedalen IF, a Second Division entity based in Gothenburg, Sweden.
In the same city, Rickman was formerly a student-teacher at the Kvarnbyskolean School for Children with Autism.
Ddungu whose stage name is Rickman Manrick is a fast-paced footballer with awesome close ball control, accurate passing, and good dribbling skills often galvanized by fancy stepovers.
Back in the day, Rickman concentrated on music during a spell he was injured.
“The reason I did music is when I tore my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in the knee and I had surgery in 2016. I was going to be out for a whole year so when I was bored I started doing music,” he vividly recounts.
Naki single:
Rickman’s first single arrived on the scene in December 2017 and since that time, he has never looked back.
“My first single was ‘Naki’ done in December 2017 with producer Artin Pro. Then, the rest came flowing. Music has always been a passion of mine besides football,” he adds.
Injury recovery and injured again
Like fate would dictate, Rickman recovered from injury but in a short time was injured again.
I came back from injury in 2018 as I joined Sävedalen IF but again injured my meniscus and had a second knee surgery though it was not a long wait . After 3 months I was back. Am currently playing for Sävedalen IF as a forward sometimes as a winger
Derrick Ddungu aka Rickman Manrick, Pro Footballer-cum-Musician
The “Ebango Waliwanika” song was produced in 2019 and took everyone by storm.
“Ebango Waliwanika was a breakthrough song indeed in my music career. I look forward to producing many hit songs,” he remarks.
To date, this particular song has accumulated up to 476,274 views on YouTube (as of 7th July 2020).
Music and Football Promotion
Being involved in music and football, Rickman has had a feel of the two industries.
He believes that these two fields almost share parents via marketing.
I think marketing doesn’t differ that much because they both fall under entertainment. May be sports has bodies that govern it and music is more of an individual effort most of the times I mean you can do a show alone but you can’t play a game alone even Messi can’t play alone. I think the marketing is almost the same in this era we have social media. Clubs have social media pages well as the musicians do as well. I think in terms of marketing 60% to 40% football is marketed more than music but music can market football which football can not. Anyways, it is not a simple thing to explain.
Derrick Ddungu aka Rickman Manrick, Pro footballer-cum-Musician
He boldly attests that he would encourage his children to do sports to keep fit and happy.
In the same vein, he has no option if the children follow the music path.
“I would encourage my children to do sports in order to keep healthy and happy but if they want to do music it’s up to them. I will just guide them through whatever they want to do. But I would love to see my kid play in Arsenal or a national team,” he echoes encouraging children to follow their passion.
Rickman was inspired by Portuguese football ace Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos Aveiro, a five-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
Musically, he grew up admiring American rapper Shawn Corey Carter aka Jay-Z and his favourite song is “Ngamba” done by Radio (deceased) and Weasel.
He has previously played at Kampala Junior Team (KJT), The Reds, Friends of Football (FOF), Dalen KFF, Gunnilse IS, and lately Sävedalen IF.
As Rickman continues to play the beautiful game, music also remains a big part of his life.
He has a dream of playing for a club in the Uganda Premier League at some stage in his career.
“One day, I would wish to play in the Uganda Premier League,” Rickman dreams.
From Naki, Bango Waliwanika, Okilinamu Obuzibu, Basumbuyi, Naye Tunyumirwe, Tum Tum, Kasonso, Wakanda, Tekako Ka Radio, My Baby, Tuula Wansi as well as the latest Gwanga Mujje and the like, the play-list continues to spread like a wildfire in windy summer conditions.
Detailed Profile:
- Full Name: Derrick Ddungu
- Stage Name: Rickman Manrick
- Place of Birth: Mengo, Kampala
- Best Dish: Rice and Peas
- Best Song: Ngamba (Radio & Weasel)
- Role Models: Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos Aveiro and Shawn Corey Carter a.k.a Jay-Z.
- Football Journey: The reds, Kampala Junior Team (KJT), Friends of Football (FOF), Dalen KFF, Gunnilse IS, Sävedalen IF (Currently)
- Toughest Opponent: None yet
- Best Goal: In Gunnilse IS 2016 87th minute like Gareth Bale against Barcelona from the center dribble with speed to one on one with the keeper and chip)
he was good in dogging banange especially in his childhood when he was in Red academy mango Bakuli
We was nicknames as Derrick mukorea
We have missed a super talented player
Tillman Derrick mukorea