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The Zim dancehall music scene has spawned an array of talented artistes like Winky D, Seh Calaz, Killer T, Soul Jah Love, Lady Squanda among others, who are now household names in their own right.
While these artistes are the faces that music lovers have become acquainted with, there are, however, other people who work behind the scenes who also deserve credit for their Midas touch that goes a long way in making the artistes the success stories that they are today.
In countries like the United States, the UK and South Africa, music producers like Pharell Williams, Maxwell Cowell and Max Martin, among others, have made the beats that have become the signatures behind the award-wining and top-selling albums by some of the world’s renowned musicians.
Zimbabwe has had its fair share of music producers whose expertise has produced sure-fire hits and names like Clive Mono Mukundu, Bothwell Nyamhondera, Lyton Ngolomi and of late Levels immediately come to mind.
These gifted musicians have given birth to a generation of youthful but talented music producers who are taking a new and vibrant trajectory inasfar as the industry is concerned and their novel approach to local music is in a big way helping in enhancing the appeal of Zimbabwean music.
The Herald Entertainment recently spoke to one of Zimbabwe’s youngest music producers, DJ Kujay — real name Kudakwashe Zumani — who is currently operating from Sepp Records, which has branches in Hatcliffe and Harare’s CBD.
Below is what he revealed to our reporter Tafadzwa Zimoyo (TZ) about his music career, passion, vision for Zimbabwean music and aspirations.
TZ: First and foremost, who is DJ Kujay and why dancehall music?
KJ: DJ Kujay is a down-to-earth guy who was born on September 26, 1989 in Chinhoyi in a family of five, most of whom were passionate about football, and what this means is that I alone ended up being the musically inclined guy in a family of footballing siblings. I grew up with a passion for singing and would compose songs, despite the fact that I belonged to the Habbakuk Church which was strict about their take on the type of music that one would indulge in.
But when you have the talent, God lays out the path for you and you follow it, and when I relocated to Harare 2006, I hooked up with rapper Natty G who collaborated with Maskiri on the single “NaMwari” and the guys introduced me to professional music, leading to the recording of the duet “Madam Chimwe” after I had moved to Guruve a year later.
After my A-Levels in 2007 I then came back to Harare again and this time around I recorded my first solo studio project titled “Ndakucheka Kunge Razor” followed up by another single “Varoyi” in 2012 before the owners of Sepp Records based in Hatcliffe, urged me to try my hand at recording, and that is how I then evolved into a music producer. Since, then, I have never looked back.
TZ: So who are some for the artistes you have produced or whom you are working with, and what is your take on them and on the Zim dancehall music genre since it seems to be your area of specialty?
KJ: We are currently working on a number of massive projects by numerous artistes and some of them include the talented Crystal whose 14-track album due for release first week of August is promising to upset the Zim dancehall music scene with its rich and mature lyrics. Talking of maturity, it is encouraging to note that the artistes in this genre are maturing with each passing day and their lyrics re now being appreciated even by a mature audience like parents who can now afford to listen to the music in the company of their kids without any qualms.
TZ: Sure, but what else can be done in order to improve the dancehall music genre so that it remains a brand, and avoid the danger of being a fad?
KJ: Our artistes need serious promoters, who should appreciate that these guys are there to make a mark not only in Zimbabwe but also on the international platform where their icons should also appreciate them as equals in the game in similar fashion to what the likes of Akon and the late Lucky Dube did. We need promoters who are not only inclined at gaining massive profits at the expense of these struggling artistes. We also need studios who are ready to sacrifice studio time and record the young musicians free of charge so as to project their careers and then if it means reaping later when the artistes are household names, then why not?
TZ: Who inspired you and what is your future like as a music producer considering your youthful age?
KJ: I was inspired by the likes of Levels, one guys who has transformed the Zim dancehall music scene in Zimbabwe. But all this started at Sepp Records where the owner there, Mai Foya and her son Shepherd, inspired me a lot. I see myself as the Bothwell Nyamhodera of tomorrow because I don’t just record dancehall music alone but a whole lot of other music genres.
Age is just but a number, and that is the reason why the likes of Nicki, at just the mere age of 15, is one of Zimbabwe’s youngest music producers and artistes are flocking to Nablings Records based in Kuwadzana to record with him because he has his own unique way of doing things. It is my dream to set up my own recording studio and brand and help artistes to realise their goals and aspirations.
TZ: And your advise to upcoming musicians and producers?
KJ: The first important thing is focus and vision; without these, no one is going to come and give them to you. Be creative, set standards for yourself and these will see you through, together with a high dose of passion and commitment to your art. Also, say no to drug and alcohol abuse and other vices that are detrimental to your health and career.
Online Reporter