admin
Dancehall chanter Shadreck Kwarire who is known as King Shady last week introduced new songs at Gwanzura Stadium during President Robert Mugabe’s 90th birthday bash. In one of the songs “Vaimbi” that would feature on his next album titled “Endless Ideas”, King Shaddy sings about an imaginary town where streets are named after musicians. The Herald Arts Correspondent Tawanda Marwizi (TM) caught up with King Shady (KS) to discuss various issues about his career and below are excerpts of the interview.
TM: King Shady how are you?
KS: Am fine.
TM: Tell me about your upcoming album “Endless Ideas”.
KS: I wanted to show people that I still have many ideas about making music and I use them to endear my music with the fans.
TM: On the song “Vaimbi” you said if roads in Harare are to be renamed after musicians you would want Robert Mugabe Road to be named after you, what message are you putting across?
KS: People decide who the best musician is and they have responded well during my performance. King Shady is like Robert Mugabe Road that cuts across many big streets in the city centre because I am able to make my fans happy despite competing with many artistes.
TM: A lot has been said about your song “Machira Chete” with some suggesting that Charles Charamba (who did the original version of the song) wanted you arrested over the matter. What really happened?
KS: That song leaked before I released it and I phoned Pastor Charamba about the issue before he went on an international tour. He said we would meet when he returned from the tour but on his return he said I should talk to his lawyers.
TM: So did you make a follow up to his lawyers or you just ignored his directive?
KS: I decided to wait for him but he has not contacted me about the issue. I don’t think there is any problem because he knows that I was inspired by his music and I respect him as my father in the industry.
TM: Can you explain why you failed to talk to him before you went to the studio to work on the song.
KS: My initial plan was to first record it and bring a demo tape to him so that he listens first but all went wrong after pirates released the song but I still have respect for the man of God.
TM: People have been condemning your music for dirty lyrics especially a song called “Makanika”. What can you say about it?
KS: A number of people have been complaining about my lyrics, but I want to say that even though some lines sound dirty there is a positive message behind the music. I touch on sensitive issues but that is my style of singing and that is art.
TM: Any collaboration on the coming album.
KS: We are still to decide who to work with but I am an open artiste who is willing to work with any musician. At one point I worked with Tryson Chimbetu and people loved that.
TM: Thank you King Shady for your time.
KS: You are welcome.
Online Reporter