adminFOR many in my country an octopus is just a character in cartoon movies. Maybe for some, the closest to real life was Paul the Octopus whose claim to fame was football predictions during the 2010 football World Cup.
Then there are book worms who will say the octopus, with its mouth at the centre point of the arms. It has no internal or external skeleton.(I have no idea what all that means)
Before you think this is now a national geographic column, let me gently introduce my topic for this week. Most of what happens in the arts is referral,A� from a song going viral to a show being called the best or the worst. Ia��m part of a WhatsApp group called Culture Beat Africa.
In one of the conversations someone praised a guy I had never heard of as one of the best music producers in Bulawayo. They referred to him as Octopus.
I tracked him down and ended up in a studio session with him. His name is spelt Oktopus. His government name is Nathaniel Chipunza. He runs a studio called The Sound Lab which is housed at Bulawayo Centre.
I grew a keen interest as to why he is called Oktopus. I mean in the many movies or TV shows that I have watched an Octopus usually plays villain. But this Oktopus got this name because of his ability to play any instrument live. The guy can even sing.
He takes to bass guitar, keyboard, drum and lead guitar with so much ease, which is why those that had worked with him gave him the name Oktopus. He like many of us in the industry are self-taught, but he has taken courses in sound engineering to better his trade. His studio is a professional set up for high quality sound. Trust me I would know as I recorded my previous album in a dingy place. The young man has a vision to start a gospel outfit in the model of Joyous Celebration Choir.
He has worked with artistes like Calvin, Xmile, Pronix, Mrs E Dlamini and 2Nyce. He is the producer behind Cal_vina��s new production Uthando. Ita��s not every day I put my head on the line, but this is one of the best music producers in Bulawayo and for forty dollars for a full track. I would gladly point in his direction.
In related news. Online radio and TV are growing by the day. Gilmore Moyo is on his second episode of #GteeVibe and ita��s receiving rave reviews to a point of trending on twitter in the country.
Just last week, poet and musician Nomashawekazi Damasane popularly known as Lady T launched an online TV programme called Not So Funny. Ita��s a refreshing take on addressing issues and will definitely be a hit. Our arts are growing by the day. Now the issue is how to monetise the industry?
Until next week, be safea��@nkuenkala .
Online Reporter