Shayzar Interview
Shayzah Zimanyi is one of the top music geniuses in Zimbabwe. An award winning artist in his own right, here’s what he had to say about the Zimbabwean music industry and being on the top.
Q: How is Shayzar doing in 2015?
A: I am great man. 2015 is on track.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Kwekwe, I am a small town guy. We later moved to Jo’burg before moving to Harare in 2007.
Q: When did you start producing?
A: In 2005, we also had our first release in 2005.
Q: When did Mix Masters start?
A: Mix Masters started in 2000, we used to be DJ’s back then, instead of doing remixes we then started making our own beats, making our own songs and the whole thing developed into the Mix Masters you know today.
Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
A: I draw my inspiration from artists from the 70’s and the 80’s. Listening to their music gives me all sorts of ideas.
Q: How do you feel participating on the global/continental scale for youth?
A: I feel great about it. I feel like I am part of a movement that is creating opportunities for the youths we are working with.
Q: What do you look for in an artist?
A: I look for creativity. I look at the amount of will power the person has. I am always looking for somebody who can be replacement of me.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge?
A: Recognition in your own country was my biggest challenge. I hate to say this but when I am in other countries I am valued way more than I am in my own country because of awards I won in this country.
Q: Who is your inspiration?
A: I am inspired by so many people because I do so many things. I used to only make music but I am more of a creative now.
Q: Do you think young people are involved in the future of this country?
A: Yes we are but we now need to play a more pivotal role. As for the music industry we need to study other music industries so we can build ours.
Q: How important is it to you to be appreciated at home?
A: Those who know about us do recognize our work. I am more concerned with taking our work outside of Zim now.
Q: When you watch cable television you rarely bump into a Zimbabwean music video, what do you think needs to be done?
One of the biggest issues that we have is Zim is very diversified when it comes to music. There’s a section that likes Sungura another section likes Dancehall and so on. The diversity is a good and bad thing. If you look at SA, when they were pushing House and Kwaito they were full on. Now they are pushing Hip Hop and you find that everyone is behind that movement. That makes it easier for them to sell the product outside of their own borders. If we were all doing dancehall music you would find that it would have a bigger impact on the continent.
I have been to 6 or 7 countries and what I have discovered is the government and the cooperate society is always highly involved in developing the arts. In my generation art was considered a curse. I used to get straight A’s in the arts but you would be convinced you don’t have a future with art.
Q: Whats your biggest achievement yet?
A: I have won almost every music award in this country. The only award I don’t have is a ZIMA award.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
The Grammys.
Q: What do you do to relax?
A: I have a bit of O.C.D problems but I listen to music. I will create a playlist of music from India.
Q: Top 5 local musicians?
Karma
Junior Brown
Yolanda Candice
Samantha Voice
Cindy Munyavi
Q: Your advice to young people who dream of being successful musicians?
A: Do you. Perfect your sound, perfect your craft, but whatever you do have the ability to crossover to multiple genres.
Q: Where can your fans reach you?
Twitter: @Shayzar
Facebook: Shayzar
Website: www.mixmastersstudios.com
