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Zimbabwe-born jazz crooner, Edgar Muzah, is living his dream after bagging the top gong at the 30th South African Music Awards (Samas) recently held in Midrand, South Africa.
Muzah won the Rest of Africa award for his album ‘Son Of A Tribe – Royalty Edition’ after shrugging off stiff competition from Asake, Wurld, Bensoul and Bien.
Like the proverbial prophet who does not have honour in his homeland, Muzah feels loved in South Africa.
In an interview from his foreign base, Muzah could not hide his joy.
“It feels great to get recognition in such a prestigious event. The Samas are well-known for their massive capacity to change people’s lives through the credibility that comes with being a Sama award winner,” he said.
Muzah, who has adopted South Africa as his second home, reckons the award is a game-changer.
“It means I need to work hard and aim higher on the global scene. I feel like I have been reignited. I feel like I have more energy,” he said.
“This was my second nomination. I had two nominations in the Best Male Artist of the Year as well as Rest of Africa.”
Unlike most Zimbabwean musicians who find it hard to settle in foreign lands, Muzah’s experience has been different.
“I have been privileged enough to be welcomed and be part of the bigger community of talented musicians that have embraced me and my gift,” he said.
“I have learnt so much from them and I have also contributed much to their lives. Over the years that I have been living here, we have become a big family and I am honoured to be one of them.”
Muzah told The Herald Arts that he feels less appreciated back home.
“My music is not played on the radio in Zimbabwe. Maybe there is no market for my music in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“I don’t have that support from home, people don’t know that l am representing the country on a global scale.”
Muzah, who has played at major festivals like the Cape Jazz Festival, still has bigger plans for fellow Zimbabweans back home.
“My long-term plan is to do more music and hopefully win a Grammy before I leave this earth.
“I have a huge passion for development and I wish to come back home and change the music industry and share the things I have learnt in my travels.”
Muzah has made it as a jazz musician and owes his success to South Africa.
“Honestly speaking, my career was birthed in South Africa where I learnt 80 percent of the things I do in music,” he said.
“I didn’t have a career in Zimbabwe before I left for South Africa,” he said.
Muzah’s road to fame started with his debut album ‘Son of a Tribe’. He won the coveted Afrikan Music Magazine Awards (Afrimma).
In South Africa, he has worked with renowned stars like Ringo Madlingozi, Phila Madlingozi, Nathi Mankayi, Amanda Black, Blaq Diamond, Nomcebo Zikode, Ami Faku, Bye Beneco, Willis Wataffi, MXO, Sliq Angel, ROOTS 2000, Ntsika Ngxanga, and Putuma Tiso.
He also launched a movement dubbed “Edgar Muzah & Friends,” a project that brings together creatives.
This move earned him a slot in the prestigious ESP Afrika Young Legends Competition in 2018 and eventually a lot at the 20th Cape Town International Jazz Festival in March 2019.
He has also signed up for Gallo Music Publishing, one of Africa’s largest and most prestigious publishing companies.
In Zimbabwe, Muzah’s affairs are run by Moses Chinangwa.
“We are happy that our brother is doing well in South Africa, yet we don’t recognise him back home. Let’s show him love,” he said.
Online Reporter