Am still up in my game: Kapfupi

Am still up in my game: Kapfupi

RECENTLY it has been the talk of the town that days have become dark for musician and actor Freddy Manjalima who is better known by his drama and music moniker Kapfupi – music has not proved to be a treasure trove that he hoped for and as a result he is barely able to put food on the table.

However, the comedian paints a different picture that makes a mockery of these claims.

While Kapfupi admits that few strike gold in Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry, he reveals that his experience as far as he is concerned has been rewarding.

In an interview with Sunday Leisure Kapfupi said he has been holding his own through live performances and is still featuring in comedies – he recently featured in a comedy called Mahlalela which also featured South African musician Freddy Gwala.

“I have not complained about the income I get from my music gigs neither have I said am going through a hard time to anyone. Everything is going perfectly fine and those who claim that am going through a hard time I do not think they ever came to my house and found no food on my table or my family suffering,” he said.

Even the media jumped on the bandwagon and reported that the 37-year-old was between a rock and a hard place and this saw him failing to launch an album last year. These trial and tribulations, reports say, forced the actor cum Sungura muso to contemplate abandoning music in order to concentrate on acting.

To Kapfupi all that is lies, damn lies.

“Music and drama are what define me and I will always be passionate about them. They are my full time profession and none of them is much more important than the other,” said Kapfupi.

Selmor attributes success to hubby

Selmor attributes success to hubby

ALTHOUGH she is born in a celebrated music family, Selmor Mtukudzi said her background never gave her a ticket to success in the industry, attributing her achievements to her husband Tendai Manatsa, her sheer determination and hard work than to being daughter to internationally acclaimed music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi.

As the daughter of a great muso, many may believe that Selmor owes her success to her father. No. She claims that she went through all the challenges and ropes that any other musician with no music background goes through on their way up the ladder adding that it made her quite strong.

Yes, she admits the name Mtukudzi is known internationally but said that was as far as it took her — to be known as the name needed no introduction in the music circles.

Selmor (31) is well known for her great hits Nguva Yangu in her album entitled Expression which was also nominated Song of the year in the National 2013 Arts Merits Awards (Nama).

Recently she received an arts category award with the Women Enterprise Conference and Awards (WECA) held by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) a week ago in Harare.

In an interview with Sunday Leisure, Selmor spoke of how she felt after being recognised by ZNCC.

“I feel so humbled and honoured to have been nominated for such an award. The ZNCC is a huge organisation and for them to even recognise that I am there and also appreciate what I’m doing is quite humbling. I feel so blessed right now,” she said.

According to her carrying the Mtukudzi name gained her very little. She said as an ambitious woman she learnt to stand on her own feet and to live a life that was independent of her father. She said the idea of not relying on her father for anything gave her the impetus to work and moulded her to be the woman that she has become.

Selmor stated that much of her success could be attributed to her untiring and ever encouraging husband and soul mate Tendai Manatsa who is also the son of a great musician, Zexie Manatsa.

The songbird said she was blessed to be born and married into a musical family saying it provided a stepping stone in some areas of her life since because of that music as music “comes naturally” to her while she also got support from her husband as he understands the challenges of the art.

“Being born and married into a musical family has given me the freedom to be who I am and be able to express myself in whatever way I feel. It is quite a blessing,” she said.

Selmor also apportioned more credit for her achievements in life to God saying that without the divine intervention in her work she was not going to be where she is.

“I owe my success to God, my husband and the hard work we’ve put in. But mainly its God,” said Selmore.

And to show the support, Tendai was also by her side when she received the WECA awards to celebrate her achievements. The two lovebirds are seen together at many occasions and Selmor has not been reluctant to share their experiences on social media.

“Tendai has been there with me through it all. There is no me without him. So yes, he has been my rock, my pillar, my strength and my everything. He has stood with me during the good and bad times and I greatly appreciate it,” she added.

The music couple has three children Ben, Troy and Hannah and their careers seem to be flourishing as they have been making great strides in the industry.

Asked how she balances the two — music and family, Selmor responded; “I don’t have a formular for balancing anything in my life. I just try as best as I can to make sure that everything that needs to be done is done and on time. And my principle has always been that of prioritising my things. The most important things are always given first preference and in this case it is always the family, then my career but both are working perfectly well for me,” she said.

Djembe Monks works on music projects for 2016

LOCAL tribal house outfit – Djembe Monks have set their eyes on making a permanent impact both locally and internationally, as they have started working on various projects with both local and international artistes.
Currently the tribal house group is working on their third studio project, which promises to have the same Afro-centric composition as that of previous albums.

The group’s percussionist, Emmanuel “Rootz” Nkomo told Sunday Leisure that the group was on a musical testing spree, where they were presently trying out various collaborations and musical genres to spice up their music.

“We have been experimenting on new sounds and we want this project to be largely Afro-centric in its expression of African instruments,” said Rootz.

Djembe Monks have collaborated with local artistes such as Mzoe 7, Africa Revenge and X-Mile who have so far left an indelible mark in the music industry in Bulawayo.

As the group attempts to diversify, Rootz said they were working on broadening their scope in terms of collaborations.

“In this project we are playing more African rhythms by adding more live elements, pama drums and instruments. This will be distinct from famous types of music with over arching digital elements,” he said.

As part of their experimental music projects, the group will soon release a project, which they did with an Italian producer and founder of the Opilec music, Gianluca Pandullo who was enchanted by their music, after listening to one of their tracks on the internet.

Pandullo and Djembe Monks remixed one of the producer’s track – Come to Harm, which will also be released soon.
Rootz expressed gratitude towards their fans, whom he said gave them the zeal to work harder so as to gain international recognition.

“We have not achieved much but we are glad we have created a name for ourselves both locally and internationally. Besides achieving collaboration with an Italian producer we also have a following in Botswana, after we had gigs there in 2012 and also made a guest appearance on Btv FlavaDome,” he said.

Djembe Monks was formed in 2010 and consists of four members Emmanuel “Rootz” Nkomo, Ndumiso Tshuma, Ngqabutho Ncube and Khotso Nare.

Djembe Monks have also performed at various festivals, which include Shoko festival, HIFA and Intwasa Festival.
“We appreciate the support we have been getting and the chances we are given to perform for different audiences.

Such platforms help us to understand our fans and improve on our music. That way we thrive to do better all the time,” said Rootz.

Although the local music industry is not very amusing, Djembe Monks keep their heads high and appreciate those who also appreciate their work.

“We are still trying to make it up to some place and we are just making music to make people happy. It is not easy getting people to love the brand but we are grateful to those who appreciate the sound,” said Nkomo.

Berita, Delani for SA achievers awards

Berita, Delani for  SA achievers awards

BULAWAYO born musicians Delani Makhalima and Berita Khumalo who are based in South Africa have been nominated for the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards in South Africa that are set for November. On the list of nominees which was published a week ago at the Zimbabwean embassy in Pretoria, Makhalima was nominated for the People’s Choice Award while Khumalo was nominated for the Musician of the Year Award for the second time.
The awards finale will be held at The Hytte Regency hotel in Rosebank.

The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards are awards meant to honour Zimbabweans who have managed to accomplish exceptional achievements in their adopted countries.
In his speech at the event, the ZAA South Africa CEO, Richard Moyo, said the awards were also a way to appreciate the African migration affair which was a very common factor across the African continent.

“The awards are not just about outstanding Zimbabweans who have flown the country’s flag high in South Africa but are a celebration of the African migration story that has affected millions across the continent,” he said.

Khumalo has worked with a number of local and international Afro Soul artistes such as Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masekela.
She recently produced a single titled Mwana waMai with the two great musicians.

In an interview with Sunday Leisure, the 24-year-old songstress said she was excited and feels honoured to be nominated for the particular award.
“Artist of the year is a big award. The year 2015 has been amazing in-terms of my music. The reception to my second album Songs of Empowerment has been great, I am so humbled and inspired by receiving this big nomination,” she said.

The Afro-soul queen has also been nominated for several awards in South Africa such as 12th Metro Award for best African album, the 2013 Metro Awards-Best African pop album and for Best Afro Soul Artist at the 8th annual Satmas.

In this year’s nomination she is with other renowned personalities in the South African music industry such as Nadia Nakai and Buffalo Soldier.
“I am so grateful to be nominated in such a big category. I respect all the nominated artistes’ hustle, particularly the young lady Nadia Nakai,” said Khumalo.
She also said she has recently released the remix of the song Mwana waMai with Black Motion and she was working on the music video.

On the other hand Makhalima has done impressive work in the music industry since the days when urban grooves as a genre was dominant. He has worked with renowned local artistes such as Dino Mudondo, David Chifunyise, Willom Tight, Audius Mtawarira and Alexio Kawara.

He is also well known in South Africa where he worked with numerous musicians like Skwatta Kamp, HHP and Zonke. He also worked as a presenter for SABC’s Metro FM which is one of Africa’s largest urban radio stations.

Makhalima is a ZiFM presenter and producer and was selected to be part of the Adjudication Committee for the All Africa Music Awards (Afrimas) which will take place in November.