Chronicle EditorMbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
THE music industry in Zimbabwe has long been a breeding ground for talented artistes, and one such emerging star is Khwezi ZW, a multifaceted musician whose soulful tracks have captivated audiences across the country.
Khwezi ZW told Chronicle Showbiz that he grew up in a musical family, something that spurred a decision to pursue a music career which was deeply influenced by the emotional and mental solace he found in music.
“The feeling it (being from a musical background) brought. I mean, look at it this way – you’re bored, you sing, you write a song, you’re sad, you sing, you feel better, you’re happy, you sing, you celebrate. This was the rule that made me self-sufficient mentally and emotionally,” he reflected.
The most significant moment that solidified Khwezi ZW’s connection to music was the death of his father.
“The most significant time that stands out for me is when my father passed away. Having to be there and watching him die in my hands broke me. I only stand here today because I found an outlet,” he shared, underscoring the profound role music played in his healing process.
His debut single, “Thando”, released in 2018, further cemented his place in the sector.
“I was young and very much in love with a Girl Scout who stayed in Harare. It was puppy love, but it still gave me a good song. When I first heard it on Skyz Metro FM, I literally couldn’t believe I was being played on radio. The feeling was out of this world,” he recalled with a chuckle.
The young artiste’s independent journey began after parting ways with his manager, Calvin.
“To be honest, I trusted his plan for me, and maybe it was a long game. I was still young, eager to be known, and eager to drop, so he allowed me to pursue that but gave me pointers on how to attack everything. After six months of listening, we moved on independently,” he explained.
Khwezi ZW’s curtain-raising for notable artistes like KO and Jah Prayzah has been an invaluable learning experience.
“Crowd control is important, crowd engagement is the icing on the cake. Stage presentation, choreography has to be top-notch, and having a band is the final nail to the coffin,” he emphasised.
While Khwezi ZW’s music blends Afro-pop and Afro-soul, he remains true to his roots by incorporating IsiNdebele into every project.
“I try to always mix IsiNdebele in every project; it automatically draws me back to my sound. It’s actually a cool trick that works every time,” he says.
The loss of his uncle and his father’s diagnosis of cancer led Khwezi ZW to rebrand from Ziee Xayn to Khwezi ZW.
“I stopped music during the year they both passed away and when I dropped ‘Ngicela Sibonisane,’ which was a cancer-based song, a fan tweeted, ‘Yazi, wenza njenge Khwezi’ (You sing like a Cape starling). I was intrigued, I did my research, and it made so much sense and still does. It is then that I changed my name,” he explained.
His latest collaboration with DJ Seazas Beats on “Thath’uthando” was a seamless process.
“See, I heard the beat on YouTube and asked my producer, Donny Chords, to contact him and ask if he was keen to work, and that I loved the beat. To my surprise, he loved my previous work and just gave us the beat for free. The deal was that we split royalties for the song, which was a good deal,” he shared.
Khwezi ZW has released a new song, “Ngyazthandela,” which “is part of a storyline I’m trying to paint this year. Too many divorces recorded this year alone alarmed me so much, so there are stages. The initial lovey-dovey phase is represented by the song and when we then drop visuals for ‘Lona,’ we plan to connect the two. ‘Lona’ is the stage where the couple has been together, and the love isn’t the same. The lesson we are trying to push is ‘Insuku kazi fani,’ but have to fight through everything,” he explained.
His ultimate goal is to leave a lasting impact through his music, championing the message of ubuntu, love, and kindness.
“The message from me always will be about ubuntu, love, and kindness. I would love to be remembered for that message, that rule to stick,” he affirmed. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
Online Reporter