KUDZAI CHITSATSO
Leon Ndoro, known by his stage name Khincaid, is asserting his space in Zimbabwe's hip-hop industry with his latest video for the song On My Way. The rising star views this release as a bold step forward in solidifying his career, which has faced significant financial challenges since its inception.
In an interview with ZimSphere, Khincaid opened up about his journey, crediting his breakthrough to a collaboration with one of Zimbabwe's top-rated music producers, Cleff Jones.
"I have worked with one of the best producers in the Zim music industry right now. He goes by the name Cleff Jones, recently was the main producer for Takura's last album King of Hearts," Khincaid said, acknowledging the key role this collaboration played in his artistic development.
Khincaid's career kicked off in 2015, but it wasn't without struggle. With limited financial resources, the 24-year-old artist found it difficult to establish himself in the competitive music scene. Yet, his persistence paid off.
"I have pushed through my struggles by staying humble and working hard until I met my producer and director for a session," he shared. His partnership with Cleff Jones also led to his involvement in the producer's Afro Riddim project, which features prominent local artists like Roki, Beav City, Mac Fox, and others.
In 2023, Khincaid released his first EP, Strength Through Pain. The project, he says, was born out of a desire to inspire and uplift those, like him, facing hardships.
"I was trying to empower young people and anyone going through something to encourage them not to give up on anything. It is my wish for them to keep pushing, as I know God will provide," he said.
Born and raised in the streets of Chitungwiza, Khincaid is deeply affected by Zimbabwe's high unemployment rates, which he believes have driven many young people into drug abuse and crime. This, in turn, became a source of inspiration for his music.
"Unemployment is messing up our youth as it has led to crime and drug abuse. Seeing people that I grew up with succumbing to such inspired me to write Strength Through Pain. This was mainly to encourage them to stop, as this is not the only way to cope. All they need is the strength to triumph through the pain," he explained.
Khincaid's mission through his music is clear: to be a voice for the voiceless and an inspiration for others facing similar struggles.
He sees music as a powerful medium to connect with Zimbabwe’s youth, saying, "Music is the best way to communicate with the youth. You find out that this is not just art but a way to get through to people and also air our problems in any situation that you're in. People listen, vibe, and pay attention whether the song is a sad one or not because they resonate with it."
The Strength Through Pain EP features several tracks, including Strength Through Pain (Intro), Chimbondimirira, and On My Way. The latter track, in particular, holds deep personal significance for Khincaid.
"On My Way is a song where I'm proving the younger me and those around me who are not believing in the movement, giving them hope that they are on their way to accomplishing everything they dreamed of," Khincaid said.
His vision is to become the voice of the voiceless, and he dreams of winning multiple awards in the future.
You can watch the latest video below:
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