adminThat seems to be what inspired rising Bulawayo reggae artiste Mthakazelwa Nyathi better known by his stage name, Mthakalisto.
His music is reggae, but with a different touch although it carries that message comparable with reggae of the old school. The cries for social justice, equal rights, slavery and self-determination are heard in all his songs.
With only a handful of purely reggae artistes in Zimbabwe, this young chanter is ready to give that Jamaican flavour in a more localised way.
Having released his debut album in October last year, Mthakalisto claims he has everything at his disposal to revive reggae in the country.
Saturday Leisure had a lengthy chat with this artiste who exudes a character more close to the celebrated reggae singer the late Peter Tosh.
His claim to fame reads like a fairy tale. He moved from doing imbube with White Umfolosi to take up the instrument and pen reggae beats. A move that is unimaginable to many.
During his short stint with White Umfolosi in 2003, Mthakalisto was able to perfect his vocal prowess and stage work.
Now that he has changed roles, he still feels indebted to White Umfolosi for the contribution the group made to his music career.
“You are not the first to ask how I switched from imbube to reggae. Honestly, it wasn’t easy, but I felt I had a calling to play instruments and to send the message through reggae.
“It was all a matter of chance because it was my first time. All I’m grateful for is that White Umfolosi gave me the ideal platform to express myself.”
To call Mthakalisto a young artiste would be a mockery to this musician who has rubbed shoulders with imbube greats such as the late Simon Banda, Fortune Ndebele and Brian Moyo.
He has also played for Bulawayo jazz band One Plus One.
It is from these music greats that Mthakalisto got to appreciate the need to tackle social issues through music.
His debut eight track album titled Learn to Share is more of a satirical comment on social issues.
“My music is nothing less of issues that are at the core of our everyday lives. I sing to educate the youth, challenges affecting Africa and the need to close the gap between the rich and the poor.
“I call myself a social commentator and I borrowed this from the late Peter Tosh. I could not use any other rhythm other than reggae to articulate my messages.”
On the list of music legends that influenced his career, he adores South African jazz muso Caiphus Semenya.
Carving a career as a reggae musician has not been a stroll in the park. Mthakalisto is not shy to reveal he is facing challenges in distributing his album.
The centralisation of radio stations in Harare has also compounded his lack of air play.
Unlike other musicians spoilt on being spoon fed, Mthakalisto has vowed to distribute his music and is prepared to travel to the capital to market his work.
“All radio stations are in Harare and that is a challenge for any budding artiste. I would not want to sit and groan about that. I have made it my resolution to distribute my music.
“I want to take that initiative and visit the radio stations, who knows, it might work out well. Gone is the era when the music industry was run smoothly, the time is now to change things for the better.”
The 29-year-old Plumtree man is certain that his music will change the perception of how Africans view reggae artistes from outside Jamaica.
“It is hard to get an audience that appreciates a reggae artiste who is not Jamaican. I have the confidence that my music will cross such boundaries and give Africans the same feel they get from Jamaican reggae.”
Mthakalisto yearns to do collaboration with his lifetime inspiration Caiphus Semenya.
With sights set for Jozi for his second album recording, he might be the first Zimbabwean reggae artiste to do a duet with a jazz artiste.
Online Reporter