TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA
THE fact that three big names in the sphere of Zimbabwean dancehall spaces have come together on one song says it all: this is as serious as it gets; and it is meant to move your soul in a positive direction. Nutty O, Freeman HKD, and Master H have joined hands in a new release titled Jegera, a motivational song created to help listeners navigate trying times in this life.
Nutty O's musical rise has truly been an exciting journey to watch. He has risen from the peripheries of the cut-throat Zimbabwean music industry into one of the foremost names to mention as far as the industry is concerned.
His musical maturity and enviable professionalism have soared exponentially over the years, a clear sign of the tenacity and steadfastness Nutty O has exhibited all these years.
He has emerged as one of the finest voices to grace Zimbabwe's music landscape, and there is no stopping this able talent (hence, Ability Extension). And, he has a penchant for having the best collaborations in the land, signifying his good ear for the best talent to work with.
We believe these remarkable traits by Nutty O, born Carrington Simbarashe Chiwadzwa, have specifically culminated into this new collaboration with Freeman and Master H—the latter who are having the game on lock in their own respect.
On Jegera, they all draw from their splendiferous fountain of vast artistic experience to create one of the most unhurried tracks Zimbabwe has listened to this year. With the marked poignancy of sober reflection and analysis, the three artists combine their impeccable skills to deliver a tune that serves to move the most weary of souls; the downtrodden.
It is a delicate tune that urges one to keep going and never give up. And goosebumps-worthy.
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| From left: Master H, Freeman HKD, and Nutty O |
Nutty O leads the way, creating a soul-moving sound that is firmly grounded in the universal human experience of pain. Of suffering. Of trials and tribulations. Which is what makes the release all the more worthwhile, with Nutty O breaking into the song with a life-affirming, uplifting, and boisterous tone.
The sound portends a rising swell of hope in agonizingly excruciating times – and this reality is shared by many. Such is the ability of Nutty O – to turn complex human emotional sufferings into relatable lyrics that can be understood without being didactic. He makes it easy for the listener to come in along with his vibes, a trait that any artist who desires to endure for a long time in the game must possess.
There is something prescient in the song, almost as if it tells you that your breakthrough is here. Just hold a little longer. Befitting, given that this is coming from artists who also had to wait for a long time before they made their indelible marks in the music industry. They know the art of patience. They know how to wait for what is beautiful to come. This is the message that Nutty O, Freeman, and Master H telegraph to their listeners—that good things eventually come to those who wait.
That is the essence of Jegera, which in contemporary urban local parlance simply means 'to hold on' or 'to wait'. They capitalise on the popularity of this term – without making it banal – into something tangible; into concrete emotional appeal.
The three artists understood the assignment well, on an instrumental that presents the three creatives as sophisticated poetic minds at work. Evidently, the three are in their peak creative period and they deservedly have to bask in this glory.
With Nutty O leading on this track through his hooks abounding with penetrating lyrics, we get an insight into his expanding vision for a musical formula that is clearly distinctive to him.
He is comfortable in his sound, rushing nowhere, for his job is delivering music that envelopes the ear with warmth. Freeman and Master H completement him perfectly in this regard, to give us a wholesome four-minute track.
The artists on the song, in their respective verses and for the most part, do not deviate much from simplified harmonic structures, except for Master H's signature frenetic style that offers a hint of divergence from the styles of Nutty O and Freeman.
Amid distinct layers of vocal and guitar melodies, the artists project their voices booming hopeful messages. They deliver rhythmically precise lines, and do not falter in their confidence.
For Nutty O, specifically, his new Jegera release is a double delight, as it also marks the start of his distribution partnership with Ditto, which will make it a whole lot easier for him to find some good tractions via Digital Streaming Platforms (DSPs). It gives his music a chance to break into new territories, and this is an exciting prospect for him.
We had a hearty conversation with Diana Nheera, who is part of Nutty O's management team. She shared with us important insights on Nutty O's career and as well as her role in guiding this career to admirable heights. There is no doubt that Nutty O will continue to achieve great things, as he is surrounded by a capable team.
Below are the excerpts of the conversation Takudzwa Hillary Chiwanza (THC) for ZimSphere and Diana Nheera (DN) had:
THC: How was the Ditto deal scooped?
DN: So, the Regional Manager of Ditto Music Africa attended Music In Africa’s ACCES conference last year where she met a key player from Zimbabwe and got invited to facilitate a workshop in Harare (in January this year) for the Scripts & Bars program. I was part of the 2023-24 Cohort, and we were introduced, being granted an opportunity to speak about brand Nutty O.
To my awe, she is the one who excitedly told me all about Nutty O and how they had been looking to engage, except they were looking in the West of Africa. The rest from there were introductions and meetings whilst she was in Harare where a thorough conversation and subsequently a proposal was made to our team. The process followed several months and we eventually put ink to paper in winter.
THC: How long should fans expect it to last?
DN: For as long as both parties are satisfied with the intended inputs and outcomes
THC: What does it mean in terms of Nutty O breaking into new markets?
DN: It means aided DSP reach into all the other territories both on the existing catalog and new releases
THC: Which other artists does he join (if any)?
DN: African artists Ditto has worked with include Zoocci Coke Dope (South Africa), DopeNation (Ghana), Priddy Ugly (South Africa), Del B (Nigeria), Die Mondez (South Africa), Chris Kaiga (Kenya), Len Muller (South Africa), Big Yasa (Kenya) and Lordkez (South Africa).
THC: As manager, what would you say is Nutty O's most unique selling aspect?
DN: Precision. He is uplifting, quick-witted and excellent in his creations. His delivery is so precise be it in the studio, on the stage or in conversation and his unwavering commitment to his craft sets him apart. I have worked with him for six years and his seriousness with music says it all.
It is serious business on our team and all these things bundle up into what makes him a unique talent, it all glows out from the music itself. The way he deals with people challenges exudes great kindness and understanding, he is not one to intentionally do another bad and when bad is done to him, he slides out of the way calmly.
THC: How has it been for you being part of his management team?
DN: Honestly, it has been quite a growth journey for me. From being a partner and team member under his former Manager Byron Kabaira to being on the frontline with my Co-Manager Raymond Zishiri, it’s been walking different phases of the brand story, adjusting to an ever evolving workload and tackling tasks from when it’s scary to when I can do them from my sleep from just experience 😂 I have literally walked from being a novice to becoming an award-winning Talent Manager and thus a key custodian in the trajectory of Zimbabwe Music at large.
We have gone through uphills and slopes, agreements and vehement disagreements and how we still stand on business and stay aware of and grounded by the glaring vision; the work at hand is a testament of the greatness of the journey, bigger than all of us. It has been daunting, exciting, delightful, and nationally uplifting all at the same time.
THC: What have been the best highlights in your management role for him?
DN: Almost everything we do is a highlight to us, The best highlights include, like right now with Jegera – a successful project release campaign! From the first hint of a drop to getting so many people to talk about it and actually anticipate the coming of the song, to then hearing it for the first time on public media and then anxiously awaiting the reactions and comments of the people—I can never get used to this!
The awards of course – THE NAMAs, ZIMAs, Star FM listeners awards in 2022, The Redefined Concert in 2022, The Bob Marley feature on his posthumous album Africa Unite released in August 2023 🤩 and on an ongoing basis it's when people from all walks of life, as in from different nations, come through to express what different songs have done for them in their lives.
Many use Nutty O's music to meditate and be emboldened through trying and celebratory songs alike. So they reach out online or in person just to say thank you, you are doing well, don't ever stop; and that gives me strength to face any challenge in our work and personal life. Just realizing the impact of my work to community members near and far is mind blowing and amazing.
Another thing I cherish is the reception by people in places where I would never have dreamed of reaching, from other artists to executives in different offices in the land and beyond. I only need to introduce myself and I will get audience. I also still jump up in excitement everytime I hear someone else playing our music, on radio, in their home or in their vehicles! It’s always an OMG that’s up special moment!
THC: And what have been the lows?
DN: The lows are mainly when good ideas and proposals to corporates and potential funding partners were or rather are turned down or plain ignored and you have to go back and convince yourself to let go of the idea or restrategize. Each 'No' hurts significantly but on the flip side sharpens one by having to find alternative ways to achieve the same goals.
Other lows would be performances that don’t get to happen for any reason after all the planning and excitement, but we move. Then not getting paid on time or at all in some of the few instances we trust a client to honor a deal post delivery. It bites more on management as then you are carrying the expectation and disappointment of the rest of the team. But at the end of the day, it is all business.
THC: From a managerial perspective, what would be your remarks on the trajectory of his career, say in about five to ten years from now?
DN: We will get more transformational partnerships and financial opportunities to allow exponential growth of the work.
From experience, the seeds we were planting in 2018 came to fruition in 2022 and beyond, so in five to ten years those BETs and Grammys are to become a reality, the sphere of influence will have increased and hopefully my favorite songs made from 2022 will have been released 😅 and all this, ON GOD! 🤞🏾
How we collaborate with the rising artists should have evolved to being able to raise more excellent protégés who will have access to more resources, a better working environment and an industry, because ‘we were’ before them. I know it is close to Nutty O’s heart too to carry the up and coming Creatives in our wings.
THC: How did the linkup with Freeman and Master H materialize?
DN: This link up is all on the Artists. An idea sparked on one of the peer link ups and they quickly followed through on it. I just pray to see more of it as UNITED WE GO FURTHER.
You can listen to the song Jegera by Nutty O featuring Freeman HKD and Master H below:
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