ZIMSPHERE
HARARE — Already an accomplished producer, DJ, and A&R executive, Afro-fusion and hip-hop artist Arlington Taylor is ramping up for his first solo project in almost four years.
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| Cover art for Good Looking by Arlington Taylor ft. RayKaz |
After releasing the melodic Softly in January, he has teamed up with hip-hop artist RayKaz for his latest single titled Good Looking. The song is a smooth, jazz-infused track that puts a fresh spin on Will Smith’s 90s classic “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble.”
Produced by AyTee and Sowndboii, the song captures the allure and chaos of stunning women, blending silky jazz chords, crisp drum patterns, and a head-nodding bounce.
Arlington Taylor’s laid-back flow paints a vivid picture of nightlife, city energy, and the irresistible yet dangerous nature of pretty girls; while RayKaz brings a melodic yet sharp-edged verse, laced with Caribbean-inspired wordplay and clever storytelling, adding depth to the song’s theme of infatuation and caution.
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| Earned his stripes — Arlington Taylor |
We caught up with Arlington Taylor for an exclusive Q&A where he spelt out the reasons for his hiatus and overdue return, his insights on the Zimbabwean music scene as well as his plans for the future. Enjoy!
Good Looking is your second single of the year, but you'd taken a break from music for a while. Can you tell us why you had stopped?
There are a bunch of reasons why I stopped, the major one being lack of support. I had gotten into a space where I was so in tune with my artistry that I felt like people didn’t actually listen. Media platforms seemed to not support, friends and family were mostly nonchalant, meanwhile my streams were going up.
I had a lot of imposter syndrome because on one hand, my music was making waves and on the other - everyday people didn’t regard me as an artist. So, it broke me and I stepped always from creating music.
What motivated you to return to music?
I couldn’t stop the noises in my head, and managing some of Zimbabwe’s upcoming artists - namely ExFx (artist and producer) and SAIIREN (multi-genre songstress), that kind of forced those noises out of me. All the melodies I’d been keeping and the words I had reserved started to spill out because I was around genuinely motivated and hungry artists.
I also felt like this would be the time I give it “one last go”, and if it doesn’t work out I throw the towel.
You've been doing music for over a decade. How has the Zim music scene evolved over the years?
When I started off in 2014, I was fueled by pure ambition, and so were a lot of artists during that time. Collaborations were few and far between, only a handful of us Zimbabweans were making traction online. Hip hop was a “poor man’s sport.”
When I left the country, I started to evolve due to the region I was in and by the time I came back, the music scene in Zimbabwe had become somewhat of a business. It’s still a long way to go but it has now evolved into something that any artist would like to participate in proudly! It’s no longer “magitare haabhadhare”, it’s now, “go and be a star!”
What do you feel needs to be done better/differently to make Zim music viable for more artists, not just a few mainstreamers?
I think the first thing that need to be eradicated is the segregation. Our people more than capable of listening to different textures of music but the propaganda of vernacular music and “music for Zim people” isolates us from each other. Give all artists a platform and let Zimbabweans pick and choose what they will listen to.
Another thing that can be done differently is the value of the artists - something that made a lot of my peers bow out of the industry is the fact that they have been doing shows for exposure for most of their careers and that means nothing! The internet is exposure, but Zimbabweans would rather not pay the entertainment (which would be the selling point of their event) than to empower the artist.
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| Arlington Taylor and longtime collaborator Mr Rebel (left) |
There is way more to do but that’s a conversation for another day.
Can you detail the concept between Two Lonely Hearts, your upcoming EP?
TLHEP, pronounced “tulip,” is a continuation from a project I wrote 10 years ago. It was a love story saga about being a young man in search of love and running into dead ends. This sequel is almost dejavuesque because as a ‘less younger man’ I find myself in the same state romantically as I was 10 years ago, but now the feelings have more depth, detail and direction.
You teamed up with RayKaz for Good Looking. Who else can we expect on upcoming releases?
You can expect SAIIREN of course, she literally refused to be left out. You can also expect some of my amazing Artists friends like Fluid, Mr Rebel and LarryThe Nomad. Sowndboii and I co-executive produced this upcoming EP, and we curated a blend of our production.
We also outsourced for a couple of the songs from producer friends, namely Mr Slazz and Mr Rebel. It’s a whole team.
You spent some time in the diaspora. How has that influenced your music? Are you making your music with an international audience in mind, or you're more focused on the home market?
To be honest, my sound has evolved and shifted over time but at this point I’m making music for whoever will listen. I mix a lot of English and Shona in my music to appeal to both, but the general soundscape of my creations resonate more with international folk.
I’ve tried so hard to make “Zim-friendly music" but it’s such a small box to want to fit in, with all the talent making music for our countrymen in this our teapot.
My goal is to showcase the capability of Zimbabwean artistry to impact globally rather than regionally so long story short, I’m more internationally focused.
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With its catchy hook and soulful instrumentation, Good Looking is a must-listen — perfect for late-night rides, lounge sessions, and vibing out with friends. The song is sure to up the anticipation for his upcoming Two Lonely Hearts EP.
You can listen to Good Looking, out now on all DSP's.
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