‘Lack of support stifling local music’
ARTISTE, Kgosietsile Nzima known as 5iver has lamented the lack of support from locals saying it is stifling the local music industry’s growth.
The multi-genre musician who has released Afro-pop, Afro-house and recently Amapiano music said the local music industry has what it takes to be a strong force, but unfortunately, due to lack of support locally, a lot of talent is leaving the country, thereby leaving the industry poorer.
“A lot of local artistes are rarely recognised or given sufficient airplay as well as shows. As such, they end up having to go to South Africa in order to make it. For example, Sha Sha from Mutare who recently became the first Zimbabwean to win a BET Award, had to leave the country in order to make it and get recognition.
“And indeed, her talent was recognised there as they (South Africans) now call her the
Queen of Amapiano and are very proud of her. Locals only started noticing her after she won a BET which is saddening,” 5iver said.
5iver said he hopes that this will one day change. To try and appeal to locals, he said he has embraced the Amapiano genre from South Africa after realising that locals love it. He, together with artistes from Bulawayo, are producing tracks in the genre with the hope that locals will enjoy them.
“Amapiano is a vibe these days as it’s trendy and groovy. Zimbabweans have received the genre very well especially in Bulawayo where it is on everyone’s playlist.
“Riding on this craze, artistes in Bulawayo are now producing music using the Amapiano beat which locals have shown they love. Among these artistes are Mzoe 7, Poly da Nqoe from Lobengula West and Sheezy Icy from Nkulumane. I’m also one of them,” he said.
The artiste recently released an eight-track EP titled Bekezela which he said has Amapiano songs.
“Bekezela is a love tale. It’s rooted to real life situations that are happening daily across all age groups when it comes to love and relationships. This is an EP which those who love Amapiano will definitely enjoy,” 5iver said.
5iver, who also produces music, has worked with Defined House.
UP-AND-COMING Esigodini-based Kasi Rap artiste, Philani “C’Khanda P” Sibanda is set to release a song titled Usizi which he wants to use to reach out to audiences in the rural areas where he comes from.
With the rise of Zimbabwean hip-hop in the Matabeleland region that has been propelled by the gale that is rap in Kwaito (Kasi Rap), a juggernaut genre that swept the whole country into a euphoric frenzy, C’Khanda P is working on spreading the genre to the rural areas.
The artiste comes from Eshlengeni village and started his musical career in 2014. He draws inspiration from South African musicians, Zola and Guluva 7 who have popularised Kasi Rap.
Usizi, C’Khanda P said, talks about people who have turned away from Ubuntu and are engaging in things that bring sorrow.
With this song to be released on August 10, he wants to revive Kasi Rap, a genre that seems to be dying. If he gets an opportunity and resources, he said he will go the extra mile and set up a dedicated Kasi Rap record label that will unearth artistes in that genre to keep it alive.
“My musical dream is to comfort sad souls through a rap vibe that many people can resonate with. In future, I’d like to set up a recording studio for such artistes in my area.
“This is because I’ve realised how hard it is to do music without the requisite resources. It’s just like baffling and doing nothing,” he said.
He said the journey to revive Kasi Rap has not been easy.
“I’ve done a few tracks, namely Pantsula, Kasi Lami and Ubuhle Bakho and in the process, once formed a Kasi Rap crew in 2015 which faded because we didn’t share the same vision and goals. I didn’t lose hope and stood my ground.
“I then met a fellow musician, Agenda Maphosa in 2016 who mentored and motivated me to push harder. That saw me release my debut seven-track album in January this year,” he said. – @mthabisi_mthire.