The style interview with Stephen Chandisareva
United Kingdom based Zimbabwean Afro pop artist, Tapfuma Charles Katedza aka Charlie Kay has made a name for himself in Diaspora largely due to his two singles he dropped this year and became national anthems in both locally and internationally.
Charlie Kay is a student of Sound Engineering and Production. Recently, News of the South Entertainment reporter Stephen Chandisareva interviewed the London based, Charlie Kay on his musical career and his two successful singles Vimbai and Ndokuda wakadaro ft. Nox Guni.
Below are excerpts of the interview:
SC. WHO IS CHARLIE KAY?
CK. My name is Tapfuma Charles Katedza, I am multi-talented London based Zimbabwean Musicpreneur, Singer-songwriter, Record Producer, Label Owner and Club DJ. I developed music interest at a tender age.
After my mother noticed my talent she decided to enrol me at the Zimbabwe Music College at the age of 10. When l was at the College, l learnt to play piano, song writing and singing.
SC. WHICH ARTIST IN ZIMBABWE AND BEYOND INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE UP MUSIC?
CK. I wouldn’t say l was inspired by other artists to take up music, music has always been in my DNA since l was 5 when l went to Zimbabwe College of Music and learnt to play my first instrument, the Marimba. However I’m influenced by a lot of musicians and look up to legends such as Oliver Mtukudzi whom l had the owner of sharing the same stage last week in Leicester at the SAMA show. I’m inspired by artist such as Jah Prayzah who are setting foundations and huge footsteps as far as Zimbabwean music is concerned.
Beyond our boundaries l have always been influenced by artist such as Lucky Dube, Brenda Fassie, and Bob Marley who are Kings and Queens when it comes to African music.
SC. IT SEEMS YOU APPEAR MORE BETTER IN DISPORA THAN IN ZIM. WHAT ARE
YOU DOING TO MAKE YOUR BRAND KNOWN IN ZIM?
CK. We are still a growing brand and it may take time to be established. We have signed a distribution deal with Africori which help facilitate our exposure. This deal helped land our videos on channels like Trace Africa which is one of the main stream TV channels in Zimbabwe.
We are doing our best to make our brand known to all Zimbabweans worldwide and in time we shall accomplish this
SC. HOW MANY ALBUMS DO YOU HAVE?
CK. I’m still on my first two singles so l haven’t released an album yet, however l got one on the way.
SC. HAVE YOU COLLABORATED WITH ANY INTERNATIONAL ARTIST YET?
CK. We have a couple of names which l can’t disclose yet but yes, on the album we have some international artists
SC. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOU MUSIC IN 2 YEARS?
CK. My dream is to take my music and identity to an international level and represent musically as ambassador to my country and culture. By then l hope to establish a Music Empire which can allow other fellow Zimbabwe and African musicians to have the same success l would have.
SC. WITH YOU CURRENT SINGLE “NDOKUDA WAKADARO” Ft NOX, WHAT INSPIRED THE SONG? WHO PRODUCED IT, WHO SHOT THE VIDEO?
CK. The song was all about embracing the beauty of a woman especially with her perceived defects. Henceforth the love you the way you are “Ndokuda Wakadaro” title.
It was produced by myself and BIG H Productions who are in USA and the video was shot by Tatenda Jamera who also shot “Vimbai” the previous single.
SC. WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
CK. Got a single coming out very soon , keeping it all secret for now but it’s going to have a little something special especially the hearts of Zimbabweans. Don’t worry the wait is not long at all, infect we already shot the video for the single.
SC. Any information that you think Zimbabweans should know?
CK. I’m all about African empowerment.
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