Soul Afrika Interview With Youth Village Zimbabwe
Soul Afrika has been making waves in Zimbabwe, we sat down with the talented duo to talk about everything music, from collaborations and inspirations to celeb crushes and love. Check out this cool, funny and inspiring interview with Soul Africa from earlier this year.
How is 2015 treating Soul Africa thus far?
2015 is a great year for us because last year we were trying to find our feet and people loved our last song, so we take that everyone wants our type of grooves.
What was the highlight of 2014?
Our highlight was doing the video for our song Zvinhu, it was such a beautiful experience!!!
If you had to collaborate with a female vocalist who would it be and why?
Takura: I love Keri Hilson, I think her voice is just unique and Tererai, we did a song with Tererai its coming on Valentines.
Tatenda: I personally would take Rihanna (laughs) I mean Rihanna has such an unique voice.
Do you both write the songs that you perform and record or do you have a designated writer?
Yes we right our own music, we also co-produce our songs as well but mainly concentrate on singing and composing
Who does production on your music?
Dusa Dementor in the U.K, he produced zvinhu as well.
What are the challenges that you guys are you facing as artists?
The main challenges I would say shows man(shakes head), because as a musician you want to have a lot of shows to do but here the shows are so hard to get. We need to create a system that’s allowing for new artists that are up and coming.
Zvinhu is a very nice video and is currently receiving air play on the national waves. Have you been able to crack the Channel O & Mtv Base space?
At the moment we have not cracked that market because we didn’t put it there but that’s one of our goals for 2015 , we should have a video or 2 on Channel O and Mtv Base.
How are you monetizing your music?
We are funding it and getting the money back through shows.
Is your business model reflective of the digital landscape in Zim?
Yes it is reflective of the digital landscape
Who are your top 5 favorite local artists?
Tatenda: For me I would put Soulja Luv I really love the guy, Miss Tererai, Trevor Dongo
Takura: Personally I would put Tuku first, then there is Audius, Trevor Dongo, Tererai and haha Soul Afrika.
Are you guys dating anyone?
Tatenda : Yes I am dating
Takura : I am very much single and my phone number is 0912 hahaha
What do you look for in a life partner?
Takura : Im looking for someone I am going to be with when I am 70 you know, so I look at her personality because forever is a long time, if I can’t stand you for 3months how am I going to spend 50years with you.
Tatenda: Man being a musician you get to meet a lot of people and I want her to look good and have a great personality.
Who is your Zimbabwean celeb crush?
Tatenda : I was watching The Walking Dead and you know Danai Gurira with the sword killing all the Zombies hahaha.
Takura : It will have to be Miss Red
Soul Afrika as a group has such a cool dress sense, where do you draw your fashion inspiration from?
When you just have a fashion sense you just wake up and put this together with that and make a nice outfit. But what we can tell you is we love our beads.
What should we look forward to the most on your upcoming album?
We don’t k know when exactly that would be coming out but singles, we want to have a lot of singles, expect a lot of dance.
People say you guys a copying the Nigerian sound. How do you feel about that?
Dancehall is not from Zim. Dancehall is a Jamaican genre that we took and owned. I am not saying there’s anything wrong with it but people need to understand that we need to cross over.
Any words of wisdom for the youth of Zimbabwe?
Takura: Don’t be afraid of change, I have realized in Zim we are afraid of change, even music people want to stay in the 90’s but we not to realize all the big countries are big because they are not afraid of change.
Tatenda: Follow your dreams and never give up, even when it gets tough keep pushing.
How can your fans reach you?
Facebook: Soul Afrika 263
Twitter: @SoulAfrika263
Instagram: SoulAfrika263
