At Senior Three and aged 25, Machar Dhal Mathiang Deng (Machar Control) has already cut a niche for his destiny. He is an aspiring and also promising musician with eyes set on grabbing available opportunities in the industry.

On the other hand, he pursues his studies with the hope of establishing his career for a brighter future. In this interview, the singer highlights how his mother shaped his talent and reveals his juggling formula for the two hats. 

BOKA Jr: Thank you for honouring the interview with The City Review. Kindly introduce yourself to us.

Machar: I am doing fine.  First of all, I want to thank you very much for this opportunity you have given me. My name is Machar Dhal Mathiang Deng Dhal and known by stage name Machar Control. I was born on April 3, 1996, meaning I am now 25 years old. I am from Northern Bhar El Ghazal State, Aweil South County, Panthou Payam.

BOKA Jr: Where did you grow up and how was your teen life.

Machar:   I remember being a young boy from a humble family of many brothers and sisters with whom we shared a lot of interesting funny stories. I cannot also forget a lot of struggle and hustling as a teenager.

BOKA Jr: When did you realise that you have musical talent?

Machar:  As a child, I grew up loving singing because my mom is a musician. I grew up learning while seeing my mom being called to compose songs, singing a lot for our community cultural songs and this made me love music and [I] started composing songs and released my first songs in 2014 in Wau.

BOKA Jr: 2014 is a long time and by now you may have experienced some challenges. What are they?

Machar: Yes. I faced a lot of challenges for example many people were telling me that “you are not an artist; you are wasting your money”. But I believe in myself that I will never give in to their words, that’s why I became a musician today.

BOKA Jr: What type of music do you do and what makes it unique?

Machar: As I said before my mom was the first to inspire me a lot and I started from my home town.

I want to be like late Abraham Well-done and P square. The two inspired me.

BOKA Jr: How many songs and videos have you recorded so far

Machar: I have 41 songs out and one video.

BOKA Jr: Have you collaborated with any singers, and who are they?

Machar: I did a collaboration with Bilpam Akech, Professor K, and others.

BOKA Jr: Who is your best music producer and what makes him unique from the rest?

Machar: My best producer is Bilpam Akech. He is a talented musician and producer at the same time. Also, he is so friendly with everybody in the studio.

BOKA Jr: Which biggest concerts did you make or perform in?

Machar: I did a lot of shows in South Sudan Hotel Buluk like four.

BOKA Jr: How do you juggle music and other activities like school?

Machar: Well, currently I am a student in secondary and at the same time I am doing music and small business.

BOKA Jr: What music challenges have you gone through?

Machar: Yeah sometimes we have issues among ourselves as musicians but that is normal. We bear other challenges and move on.

BOKA Jr: Any upcoming song, video project or concert?

Machar: Of course yes, I have a lot of projects coming including videos.

BOKA Jr: What do you wish South Sudanese to do to build the music industry?

Machar: I [am urging them] to support the local artists and make them reach the international level and I also want to tell our best friends also to work harder in the music industry.