Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
PERCUSSIONIST and poet James “Sebede” Njikizana, says he is back to try build his career.
Sebede of the ‘Eho’ fame, is also a spoken word artist, musician and music tutor.
The talented poet, who had previously faced challenges in his career, is now back in the spotlight, trying to reviving his passion.
Based in Murewa, the poet has been working tirelessly to reignite his creative spark.
Sebede, is a highly versatile artist with over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry.
His brother who is his point of contact said after a period of re-evaluation, Sebede refocused his energy on his craft and is back to share his unique voice with the world.
He has two albums to his name which are Upenyu and Eho.
“We have a song that is yet to be released, the song was recorded late after the second album Upenyu and it is yet to be marketed.
“He was once based in Cape Town and when he returned he trying to rebrand myself and push music.
“When he came back thing where not ok because the game had changed music was now all being pushed by social lites people who has nothing to do with music. I have seen people who good but
“People like Sebede require a full band so it was difficult for sponsors,” he said.
He blamed the failed music career on the rise and dominance of Zimdancehall. He said the dominance of Zimdancehall had left urban grooves musicians without a source of income.
“There was a shift, people with money and sponsors had moved their focus to genre like zimdancehall. It was making business sense to people who had money. So all that contributed to his dormancy cause, sponsor were reluctant to put out money for only one person. So that actually hit him hard and when you are someone who resort to alcohol or substance abuse to steam off a lot was going on,” he said.
“He is now trying to find himself as someone who was recognized by Mtukudzi. He was staying in Murewa with his mother away from all the noise. He was also rehearsing trying to figure out things.
“People who are close to him knew where he was.
“The graft is also their as much as things are not making sense the money was need. There are people who are talented but because of money
Founder of Izwa Music back in his days, he toured different countries on the continent and was at some point based in neighbouring South Africa.
This was at a time he played with some of local music greats such as Roki and Afro-fusion outfit Mafriq, who at that time also slowly faded into oblivion.
