Online Reporter
James Nyandowe
WITH a voice that resonates with the emotional turmoil of his community, 26-year-old Tafadzwa ‘Tevil Kartel’ Mutanyu channels his music to confront mental health challenges and promote healing in Glen View, Harare.
Kartel has risen from the ashes of adversity to become a beacon of hope for a generation.
His music is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome trauma, stigma and stereotypes.
Growing up in Mbizo, Kwekwe, his upbringing had a profound impact on his music.
“I grew up in a community where people did not express their feelings.
“We were raised to be tough but that toughness comes with a price − it kills us and it creates trauma,’’ he said.
This experience would later become the catalyst for his music, a fusion of genres, Hip Hop and R&B that speaks to the hearts of those who have been affected.
“I want to help mentally challenged people, not those who are stereotyped or stigmatised as Down Syndromes, I mean those who are going through depression, people with mental instabilities, people who wreck their heads and start crying why life is like this, those are the people I want to reach out to,’’ said the musician.
One of his notable releases, “The Deities,” is a song that explores the theme of spiritual and psychological struggles.
His passion for music began as a school kid when he joined the choir in Grade Six.
It was there that he discovered his singing talent and became an ardent music lover.
Influenced by the likes of Michael Jackson, Vybz Kartel, and Lana Del Rey, the rapper’s unique sound has attracted a decent following.
“Language was a barrier and people wanted me to use vernacular languages, Shona or Ndebele, but I chose to use English, which has allowed me to reach a broader audience.”
His discography is impressive with releases like “The Deities,’’ “Alma,’’ “No Strings” (a collaboration with local artist Ranga McMill ), “Jazzman LP,” and “Transition.’’
With a new project, “Corn Copious Horn,” scheduled for release by the end of this month, Tervil Kartel is poised to take the music industry by storm.
Mathew Masinge