By Takudzwa Kadzura and Takudzwa Hillary Chiwanza
Zimbabwean hip hop has against all odds dominated an eventful 2020 and the genre brought a lot of surprises. MC Chita’s return is quite a nostalgic experience of how hip hop rose to prominence. Every movement/culture has proponents actively driving it, and whether in the past or presence, their legacies constitute an integral part of the movement. We have had the privilege to talk with the legendary MC Chita, who is now voiced through his alter ego Zimbiyana Jones.
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| PIC - ZIMBOJAM |
ZimSphere: This is a question that you've answered
already but let's revisit again, who is Zimbiyana Jones? What are the changes
and why choose that name?
Zimbiyana Jones: Indiana Jones was a childhood hero,
growing up. Before I became a rapper, I wanted to be Indiana Jones. So when I
had this opportunity to rebrand, the name just felt right. Plus I was never a
fan of the name MC Chita. That name always felt dated and it was just given to
me. As much as I respect and love everything that brand has done for me, it feels
like it's time to upgrade.
ZimSphere: On the business side of it, exposing your
alter ego can be understood as rebranding, are we totally forgetting about MC
Chita, and how is that benefiting the business side of your music?
Zimbiyana Jones: Not at all. If you are to look at the
logo for my new alter ego, it says "MC Chita presents... Zimbiyana Jones." MC Chita is a part of who I am. I can never run away from that. Business wise, it's
been a gift and a curse because while people are always intrigued by a new
image, but at the same time it gets tiring explaining that we are one in the
same person. Also, promoters prefer using a recognizable brand to push shows.
But I'm hoping with the release of this new album that will change.
ZimSphere: You carry a legacy within the hip hop
space of Zimbabwe and has the game actually improved on the technical aspects?
Would you consider Zimbabwean Hip Hop to be firm at the moment or a lot still
has to be done?
Zimbiyana Jones: I like what's happening with the scene these days. It's definitely a big change from when I first got into the game. When I first got in, there were few of us. The genre wasn't taken that seriously. To hear a rapper on radio wasn't as usual as it is now.
The new
school is really doing it and you can see how they've influenced others. As far
as e industry is concerned, there is a lot of work that needs to be done.
Positions that need to be filled by people who are not rappers. That's how the
industry will really grow. When we have people willing to take on certain tasks
for the artists, we will take things to another level.
ZimSphere: This interview has come at a time we're
approaching the Awards - how has been your relationship with the institution?
Zimbiyana Jones: Haha! It's been a love/hate
relationship since the 2013 awards. But Beefy and I have always been cool even
before the awards. And I have nothing but admiration for what the awards have
done for the industry and how far they have come
ZimSphere: Our central focus is the album which
you're about to drop, take us through the creative process; what inspired the
energy to arrive at the decision of bringing a full body project?
Zimbiyana Jones: It all started with the concept. When I came up with the title Zimbiyana Jones... And The Temple of Boom, I wanted an album which had nothing but the boom sound going through it.
Then I went to the King 98 album launch and bumped into TRK and everything changed. I explained the concept to him and he asked to executively produce the project. Next day he sent me a bag of beats and we got it in from there. He would come to my crib with his equipment and we would get to work, trading concepts, creating, reworking tracks till we got as close to perfection as we could.
I need to explain who TRK is though. He's an artist from here (singer, rapper, producer) who was based in South Africa over the past few years. He's done work with everybody some of whom include Nasty C, Kwesta, Ice Prince, DJ Dimplez, and many others.
So TRK and I had collaborated in the past but had never met in person, but
I guess we had been fans of each other's music because when we met we hit it
off and were able to come up with what I feel is a classic
ZimSphere: Mention any features in the album that
fans can look forward to.
Zimbiyana Jones: The album features TRK, Nutty O, Trayn
Dillinger, Asaph, Tulk Munny, Chengeto Brown, Swaygo The Shaman, Obi Davids and
Bryan K.
Production credits go to Tererai "TRK" Kamhiriri, Airmac
Raw, GT Beatz, Ranson (Ghana), Simba Tagz, Dior (UK) and King Kus aka Mabeatz
Eshumba.
ZimSphere: At one point you stayed in Jamaica. Can
you tell us about your experience there and some lessons we can draw from the
Jamaican society?
Zimbiyana Jones: You would be surprised how similar Jamaica is to Zimbabwe. How the houses are set up, the roads, malls, etc. You can blink and find yourself in Avondale, like WTF - I guess it's the whole being a British colony thing.
But at the same time, because it's a mountainous country, you find the rich at the toppa di ill and the poor pon ground, but that's really it.
One thing I think we can learn from
Jamaica is how they've managed to turn their celebrities and culture into a
source of revenue for their tourism dept. A lot of people travel to Jamaica not
for the beaches, which, don't get me wrong, are very beautiful, but for the music and
the culture which that country promotes
ZimSphere: The new generation of hip hop artists
has professed immense hunger for the game. Which artists among this generation
inspire you the most?
Zimbiyana Jones: Eish, that's a looooooong list. Let's try get into it and I know I'm missing a few but meh - Asaph,
R Peels, Holy Ten, Swaygo The Shaman, Union 5, Venge Muzik, THC Mobb, Tulk
Munny, Ti Gonzi, Probeatz, Mclyne Beats, Beav City, K.I.N.G Mataz.
Yeah... I think that works. Oh, and there are some other
underground cats like Swiska and Leakage, it's an interesting time in Zim Hip Hop. You should check my daughter AlinAl too. It's mad.
Zimbiyana Jones: I'm proud of that project. For me
it's the original blueprint of what the game is today. Feels like it was ahead of
time too because it's still so relevant today. We're still fighting a lot of the
same struggles today we were back then. But I feel now we need to start giving
answers to how we can change things instead of just listing the problems we
been having, over and over again. We need to keep progressing.
ZimSphere: You are one of the artists who's stayed
in the game for a long time. What's been your formula for this endurance? What
has kept you relevant?
Zimbiyana Jones: I think it's because I'm a fan of the
music still. I still vibe with what's hot today and even strive to take it to a
higher level or create a new trend. I have been lucky to see where the wave is
going before it gets there. Example is with drill. I have been on that since
2015. Another thing is that the music means so much to me. The passion
and hunger I had back in 2011 is the same passion and hunger I have today. And
this being a competitive sport, best believe I'm always gonna come out with my
strongest effort each time I step up. And that reflects!
ZimSphere: Before you decided to bless us with a
new project, what had you been up to all this while?
Zimbiyana Jones: Just been on the grind for the most
part, getting my personal life in order. Also trying to set up a media
house/management company where we will be trying to guide upcoming artists
through the industry, helping them with things nobody helped me with when I was
coming up. Same time been trying to finish my book and just living life. I haven't been totally quiet though. Also
been dropping the odd single here and there, but mostly we been working in
silence prepping for this coming moment.
ZimSphere: What words of advice and encouragement
would you offer to your fans and other artists as well?
Zimbiyana Jones: Having a talent or being good at
something isn't enough. Success at something takes hard work and dedication
too. But as long as you're willing to put the work in there's nothing that you cannot
achieve.
As you have read for yourself, this is raw from Zimbiyana Jones himself and that is definitely not everything to know about a well-travelled rapper like him. The upcoming album will introduce Zimbayana Jones and be on the look-out for that one.
Meanwhile check his single Pretty Boy Fresh featuring Swaygo The Shaman and TRK via this link.
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