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Kelvin Chiringa
Talented upcoming Zimdancehall sensation Nelson Chikandamina aka Nelly VC is set to beat the odds in the highly contested genre with his fresh evocative sounds.
As Zimdancehall has become popular, the 19-year-old artiste hopes his music will make it on the road to fame.
“I only started music three years ago performing at entertainment functions until my talent was noticed and Chil 4 Ril thought it better to sign me in.
“Despite my age and short experience in the music industry, I have hopes that I will be a contending force very soon as I believe in hard work, endurance and creativity,” he said.
The sensational chanter realised his talent long back at Kambuzuma High 1 but had to finish his schooling before entering the music scene.
“Before 2013, I was still a student, it was therefore prudent to finish my books first as I could not properly balance academics with music. Being a student meant I did not have the finances to pay for recording costs but soon after finishing school, I followed my passion and now I have managed to work with top-rated recording stables on my songs,’’ he said.
Chikandamina’s music is a product of Zimbabwe’s street culture which is a striking characteristic of Zimdancehall.
With six singles under his name, his stage performances are typified by an outburst of energy and his narrative melodies preserve the street poetry of a suffering people.
“Zimdancehall is a product of a ghetto life typified by ups and downs, hence my music narrates sagas of social strife and the desire to break the poverty we live in,
“What makes me pursue this kind of music then is the fact that it gives me the stage to narrate my own life stories such that after every performance I feel a spiritual freedom and relief,” he said.
His singles comprise “Ishe Inzwai Kuchema Kwedu”, “Vanotsikirira Kwatinobva”, “Wandirwadzisa”, “Give Me a Chance”, “Kuda KwaMwari” and “Kuchema Kwedu”.
Chikandamina said although artistes like Seh Calaz had thrived on dis songs and sustaining grudges, it had the impact of killing the fibre of Zimbabwean music.
“On my road to fame which I am so sure of, I have no intention whatsoever to indulge in delivering songs with hate content to dis rival artistes. People will enjoy the lyrical battle and the day the grudge ends, there will be little to sing about since one would have been used to singing about someone, it kills the fibre of our music,” said the chanter.
The teenage chanter who takes inspiration from Zimdancehall crooner Qounfused said mingling with established artistes had given him a rich experience.
“At Chil 4 Ril recording company I meet a lot of established artistes and the experience I get from them is so profound that if I apply the lessons I get into my music I am sure to build a strong brand.
“But application, hard work and creativity is not enough when we do not have support, as long as such qualities are met with support from promoters Zimdancehall will be here to stay as we take the baton from big artistes,” explained Chikandamina.
Meanwhile, the talented musician has a vision to take Zimdancehall to the world through improving where the established ones are lacking.
“Very soon I intend to take Zimdancehall to the world, we need not be too local in our content.
“It’s time we sang for an international audience by touching on themes with a world view and dedicating ourselves in retaining quality to our work through cut edge videos, the Nigerians have done it,” he said.
The writer is studying Mass Communication and Journalism at CCOSA.
Online Reporter