Chronicle Editor
Saturday Chronicle Reporter
MUSIC moves us. It is a part of our culture and how we express ourselves. Music is also a powerful tonic for an overworked nervous system. Music therapy is a well-established practice in the psychotherapy community. Music can be a powerful tool to manage stress, promote wellness, alleviate pain, and more. Bulawayo’s beloved son, Otis Tha Flow Fraser, is coming home to share his musical magic and therapy with us.
The legendary DJ and producer will take to the stage next Friday at The Place for an electrifying show, promising to transport audiences on a sonic journey through the decades.
As Otis prepares to return to his hometown, the excitement is palpable. Music lovers of all ages are eagerly anticipating the chance to experience the magic of Tha Flow live and direct.
“I truly feel at home, playing in front, behind, and all around home crowds and turf,” Otis enthuses in an exclusive interview.
“After all, home love is what makes you!”
The affection is mutual, as Bulawayo’s music lovers eagerly anticipate the return of their hometown hero. For Otis, performing in Bulawayo is more than just another gig — it’s a homecoming.
“When I play in Bulawayo, the clubs and venues that placed me well into the entertainment circles always come to mind and heart. Talk Of The Town, Visions, Easy By Night, Stars and Garters, and Bump! — those were the spots where I cut my teeth, where I honed my craft,” he said.
He also fondly recalls iconic events like Miss Teen Queen, Mega Dance, and those unforgettable house parties that defined Bulawayo’s vibrant entertainment scene in the 90s and early 2000s.
“Those were the days, man. The energy, the excitement — it was infectious. And I’m proud to say that I was a part of it.”
Next Friday, Otis will take audiences back in time with an Old School gig that promises to revive the memories of the 1990s.
“Let’s remember the 90s good times, because to some extent, good memories truly heal us mentally and emotionally in some mysterious way. True music therapy,” he said.
Expect a nostalgia-fuelled set list featuring the iconic tracks that defined a generation — from R&B and hip-hop to kwaito and house. Otis’ infectious energy and masterful mixing will have the crowd singing along to every word.
“I want the audience to be transported back to a time when music was pure, when it was about self-expression and having a good time.”
But that’s not all — on his set, Otis revealed that he might shift gears, bringing the party into the present and future with a scorching Deep House set ensuring a night of non-stop dancing and revelry.
“I might get tempted to throw a taste of what’s happening out here, but that will pan itself out on the night if need be. Deep House is all about vibe, about atmosphere. It’s about creating a space where people can let go, where they can lose themselves in the music,” Otis explained.
And with his expertise behind the decks, Otis promises to deliver just that.
The show will showcase Otis’ versatility and range, cementing his status as one of Zimbabwe’s most respected DJs.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my music with my hometown. It’s always special to perform in front of people who know me, who understand where I come from.”
As Otis prepares to take the stage, he’s filled with a sense of gratitude and excitement.
“Bulawayo, get ready. I’m coming home, and I’m bringing the party with me!”
With Tha Flow Fraser at the helm, Bulawayo is in for a treat. In this wide-ranging interview with Saturday Chronicle, Otis also delves into the magic of music.
“Fifty years ago, a Jamaican immigrant named Clive Campbell — also known as DJ Kool Herc — began experimenting with a new sound. He isolated the instrumental segments of songs, called “breaks,” and developed a turntable method to keep the breaks going.
“Breaks are fun, funky, and danceable, but they’re also short. Herc’s ‘merry-go-round’ method allowed him to alternate between two records playing the same — or complementary — breaks, which extended these short musical beats into minutes-long party anthems.
“If you want to motivate yourself and improve your mood, nothing works better than music, in my opinion. The beat. The drive. The subject matter. It’s simply made to be motivational, because so much of it is about overcoming obstacles, thriving despite the odds, and finding happiness in an increasingly adversarial world,” Otis said.
Otis makes a very compelling argument: “The way hip-hop therapy works is pretty straightforward. Hip-hop therapy allows clients to listen to songs that help them tap into and process their emotions in a way that nothing else can. Music enhances, explains, and connects us to our emotions.
“If you want to motivate yourself and improve your mood, nothing works better than music, in my opinion. The beat. The drive. The subject matter. It’s simply made to be motivational, because so much of it is about overcoming obstacles, thriving despite the odds, and finding happiness in an increasingly adversarial world.”
Someone unfamiliar with the party scene and old school music in general may associate it with negative aspects common in rap music, especially the gangster rap of the ’80s and ’90s that was chock-full of references to drugs, sex, and violence.
And while those subjects do pop up in music, they are by no means the meat and bones of music.
Otis believes music addresses many of the issues that society is trying to overcome or personality aspects they are attempting to cultivate like motivation, the drive to overcome, chasing success, and staying resilient despite setbacks.
He says music is distinctively entrepreneurial for both the musicians and the audiences. From clothing lines to fragrances to record labels and more, music is built on rising up, and that means entrepreneurially, too.
Don’t miss this unforgettable night of musical therapy!
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