Interview with Synik
How is Synik in 2014?
I have been very quiet actually but i have been laying down plans for my upcoming album. 2014 has seen me taking my art out of Africa, I toured Germany and Austria.
Who did you look up to growing up?
My introduction to hip hop was mainstream hip hop from America Nas, wu-Tang clan,2-pac! They influenced me so much.
How did you get the name Synik?
Umm I just picked up the moniker when I was getting into rap.
When did Synik realise he wanted to be a full time musician?
I started writing in high school but my first experience was in 2004. So after getting into the studio the feed back made me realise that I should take my craft seriously.
How did the people around you react when you told them what you wanted to take music seriously?
My mom supports everything that I do but started taking my art seriously when she witnessed me get four awards at the Zim Hip-Hop Awards.
Did your friends and family put pressure on you?
It was more internal pressure to be honest. They supported but I would feel as if I was not doing enough.
How did you deal with it?
I worked harder.
What was the most valuable lesson you learnt from making your Sin City??
People relate to music that is honest. I started getting feed back from people from Nigeria saying thats my story you know, because I spoke about my relatives that left because of economic recession and about my life in general.
When can we expect the next album to be released and with how many songs?
Definately 2015 the project drops and the working title is ‘Pages of Sin’
What can we expect from the album??
Umm I have been reflecting on what its gonna be but all I know is being Synik its going to be an honest album.
In an industry were they say you have to use vernacular as an artist in order to gain popularity, how did you manage to balance that pressure and the need to remain true to Synik?
Yeah that pressure is there. People say it is one of the reasons why hip hop isn’t appreciated by our local market but I realised I express myself better in English even though I fuse the two sometimes.
What do you dislike about fame?
Well I am a quiet guy and fame comes with a lot of expectations and being an artist I am just trying to do that but people feel a hip hop artist should be a certain way
If money wasn’t an object which car would you be driving and why?
The new Mini cooper
Where do you see yourself in 5years?
The main focus for me is getting regional. Getting my music out to Africa though I get plays in Zambia Malawi and Nigeria I just want to be solid in Africa like I am in Zim.
Any words of wisdom for the youth of Zimbabwe?
Its a bit of a cliche but you should follow your dreams and your passion. In terms of artists you should stay true to your story and not be molded by what they think you should be like, art is you.
