Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu,
IN the heart of Matabeleland South province, young talent is making a statement in the Zimdancehall genre.
Austin Zwelihle Ndlovu, also known as Austin Mthak hails from Nopemano in Mambo village, Plumtree, and is defying the odds to pursue his musical dreams despite the challenges of rural life.
Inspired by Zimdancehall heavyweights like Winky D and Killer T, Austin is carving his own niche by singing in his native Kalanga language, blended with IsiNdebele and ChiShona.
In an interview, Austin Mthak, known for his song with Mck Empire titled, “Ndakuda” said his unique sound and freestyling abilities have captured the attention of fans and industry insiders alike.
“My musical inspiration came from Zimdancehall heavyweights such as Winky D, Killer T, Souljah Love, as well as Silent Killer, and all of these artistes sing in ChiShona and Jamaican Patwa. I then decided to make a deliberate move of incorporating my mother language, TjiKalanga, and IsiNdebele to capture more people’s attention,” he said.
However, for Austin Mthak, the journey hasn’t been easy. Living in a rural area, he faces electricity and financial challenges, making studio time a luxury.
Yet, he remains determined, drawing inspiration from his everyday life and penning his experiences into songs.
With an album and singles lined up for release this year, Austin Mthak’s perseverance is paying off.
His highlight so far has been proving his doubters wrong, and he cherishes the freedom of expression he finds in freestyle shows.
“My highlight, besides being able to show people my artistic acumen has been the ability to adapt and prove naysayers wrong. People used to tease me at first when my career took off and now, they are starting to take notice of my work. Seeing this kind of trajectory has taught me a lesson in perseverance,” he said.
As an up-and-coming artiste from Plumtree, Austin Mthak faces additional hurdles in gaining recognition in bigger cities like Bulawayo.
Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful, seeking opportunities to curtain-raise for established artistes and gain more visibility.
With his talent, resilience, and passion, Austin Mthak portends the power to shine brighter in the Zimdancehall scene. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
Online Reporter