Zim producer shines

Latwell Nyangu

ZIMBABWE-born music producer and composer, Kudakwashe “Kd Summerz’’ Mukuzunga, continues to make an impact abroad after working with more than 10 artists from different countries.

The South Africa-based producer has also worked with fellow Zimbabwean singers and is currently riding on his new release, ‘‘Magaiva’’ which praises breadwinners.

“This is a song that depicts the vigorous effort people have to put in to make ends meet and provide for their families.

“The song title was derived from the Hollywood series ‘MacGyver.’

“In the song, I become a voice for many people who, at the end of the day, become the heroes who provide for their families,” he said.

The South Africa-based Afrobeats artist said the track has different fusions.

“The Afrobeat sound and aesthetic repeatedly show in the track as it embodies smooth bassline, marimbas, an afro-infused Hip Hop bounce and African wind instruments.

“It’s available on all streaming platforms,” he added.

He has worked with different artists across the globe.

“I have worked with Solid Star (Nigeria), Chiwoniso Maraire, Oskido (South Africa), Uhuru (South Africa), Ms Candy, Boom Original, Drum Dope all from South Africa.

“Nox Guni, Tash Mwanawamai, Tulk Munny, Premo El Negociante (USA), Jeypson (Colombia), Oliver Richner (Germany), Africa My Continent (South Africa), KB The Deacon (South Africa), Tantana (Turkey), GT Beats (Zimbabwe), Afrodizzay (Zimbabwe) and Simba Tagz (Zimbabwe).”

Kd Summerz attended the Children’s Performance Arts Workshop (Chipawo) from 1998 to 2003 and he was the youngest winner and second runner-up in a national talent show called, Spotlite, which aired on ZTV in 2002.

KD Summerz was also part of the trio ‘‘The Future,’’ which won the best spoken word at the British Council Power in the voice programme. He also performed at the Harare International Festival of the Arts. In 2011, he released his first EP called The Playlist Mixtape.

It was a fusion of Hip Hop and Afropop.  While in Cyprus 2001, he released another EP called Dreams in Limbo, which was also a fusion of a Hip Hop and Afrobeats.

It featured the late Emlee from Nigeria and Tantana from Turkey. In 2017, KD Summerz produced an EP entitled Summerz Eve, which earned him a nomination in the Ultimate Music Awards, in Lesotho.

In December 2020, KD Summerz released his debut 10 track album, Afroshandis where the video for the song Nergy featured on Channel O.

He was awarded a prize among the top three in a competition called Up we Go Mzanzi in September 2021.

KD Summerz currently has a distribution deal with Equity Distribution, which a sub division of Roc Nation, for independent artists based in New York.

Three of his productions were featured in a Netflix movie called ‘‘Oga Oboagi,’’ directed by Kayeode Kasum, which debuted in the top 10 in Nigeria.