Zimbabwe: Upcoming Artiste in Recording Studios ‘Nightmare’
By Own Correspondent – A Kadoma-based reggae artiste who has more than 20 years of doing underground music has bemoaned the lack of ‘proper’ recording studios in his hometown as the biggest undoing for budding careers there.
Speaking to this publication, Cosmas Million popularly known as Black Ninja revealed that most of the recordings he has done in his neighbourhood make-shift studios were turned down at local radio stations for being poor.
Black Ninja
“I would say what has made us not be in the lime light is the lack of quality recording studios hence in most instances our music is denied airplay on local radio stations because it does not the stations’ standard,” revealed the former Nyabata High School Student .
Black Ninja’s career as a musician just like the most sought after ZimDancehall artiste Winky D, started from ‘Emceeing’ 23 years ago.
“I started singing in 1995 after being an MC of ‘Might Dread’ sound system in Eiffel Flats and did my first single ‘Siyayi’ with TND.
“The song got rave support from revellers whenever I performed it so much that it became a hit in Eiffel Flats ,”said Black Ninja.
From there he has been continuing releasing singles that include Aphiri in 2010,Kukura Kwangu and all those singles were distributed within Kadoma.
The 46-year-old artiste was then contracted by Kelvin Mhindu who operated ‘Chekaz’ a joint in Kadoma where he shared the stage with many popular musicians .
“In 2011 I was roped in by Kelvin Mhindu who was running Chekaz and I would curtain raise for artistes that include Winky D ,King Shaddy ,Tongai Moyo, Trevor Hall ,Andy Brown and Mbira DzeNharira just to mention but a few,” added Cosmas.
The reggae artiste heaped praises on the joint owner for having exposed him to established musicians and is currently being supported on various musical projects.
Kadoma has a potential of producing immense talents having so far churned out Kinnah , Mostaff, Trice and Ras Katel among many other gems.
