Over the past few years Jah Prayzah has established a brand that is known across Zimbabwe and has become one of the most sought after musicians in the country.
Popularly known as ‘Soja Rinoenda Kure (The soldier who travels far)’, Jah has managed to win the hearts of Zimbabweans across social strata with his up-tempo contemporary sounds, complemented well by his catchy sing-along lyrics. His good looks haven’t hurt his cause either as his legions of female fans will testify.
Zimbo Jam sat down and had a chat with the busy ‘soldier’, who is currently working on the mega launch of his sixth album titled ‘Jerusarema,’ slated for the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on Friday May 22, 2015.
He shared with us his international ambitions, spoke about family and about how he almost joined the army.
Where did the name Jah Prayzah come from and what inspired you to get into music?
The name Jah Prayzah comes from my name, ‘Mukudzei’ which means to praise. On the inspiration aspect, I had a teacher who used to play the mbira. He used to teach me how to play and that’s how I fell in love with music.
With time I got better and people began to realize my gift and encouraged me to be serious with the music and they continued to give me advice.
When did you start recording?
After finishing school in 2005, I abandoned traditional music and began recording some reggae/dancehall tunes with some friends.
Deep inside I knew that this was not my kid of music. I felt I was not expressing myself well as the songs were not mine, the groove was not mine and many other factors.
So in 2007, I went my way and recorded the album ‘Sungano.’
That album did well on the market and was received well by the public.
However, during the period in which the album was fast gaining popularity and I was also beginning to get recognised by promoters and getting some cash, the army told me that my application for military training had been accepted and I was supposed to go for training.
I had to sober up and make a life changing decision at the moment. After careful thought I decided to turn down the military training and focus on my music.
Why are you so passionate about the military? You didn’t become a soldier yes, but your image reflects a love or yearning for it.
I cannot really explain it, but it’s something that I grew up desiring. Whenever I would see a solider I would just feel that this who I want to be in future.
You have two daughters and a wife. How do you balance family with a hectic showbiz life?
It’s difficult to strike a balance really because I am wanted all over the country. But I try to make the best of the little time I have available with my family. During calendar holidays, we are very busy with the band, so I create a holiday for just my family and I whilst everyone else is at work and we get to catch up and make merry then.
You have travelled, performed and are now known in almost all corners of Zimbabwe. Do you have a vision of taking your music to other nations like what Tuku and groups like Mokoomba have done?
Yes, we are trying by all means to get our music out there. We always apply to international festivals and we keep our fingers crossed to get a breakthrough. Artists like Tuku have collaborated a lot with a lot of other international heavyweights, hence, it is easier for them to breakthrough into foreign markets via that route. We will also be following in his footpaths, learning as we go, because it is the desire of every local artist to get where Tuku is.
However, in our endeavour to do all these things, one major drawback is that we do not have many links out there. We might have the content but as long as we do not have the person to link us out there, we are doomed, but we are trying very hard to breakout.
What’s your dream at the moment?
My target right now is to be recognized internationally. That is my dream at the moment because on the local scene we have exhausted all possible avenues.
Tell us about the upcoming album, what’s new and what can fans expect?
My music has not changed much in terms of style when comparing this upcoming project to the previous two. The only major difference is that the sound quality has improved significantly and I believe as an artist I have matured in my delivery so that’s what people can look forward to.
Last year you spent close to $45, 000 on the launch and this year we understand your team will spend close to $75,000 on the ‘Jerusarema’ launch. However, the cost of making the album is nowhere close to this. Why do you prefer to spend big on the launch instead of on the product itself?
There is a difference in value of the investment, there is the value of the art and the time spent. I value the album to be at par with the cost of the launch because I did not start recording it today, those moments I would process thoughts as I was penning a song down amongst other seemingly minor things that add up to producing the album, cost more than the actual launch on a cumulative front.
In your own opinion, in which areas do Zimbabwean musicians need to improve the most?
Zimbabwe is full of artists that are gifted and hardworking, but areas we need to work on are; firstly, we need to find links to get exposed to what other artists are doing on the global stage. Secondly, we have to learn to push our culture. It is pointless to be an artist who sounds like another foreign act. Let us be true to who we are and the world will accept us for our uniqueness.
Words to your fans and family?
To the fans I want to say, thank you all for the support and love. You give me strength to carry on working in this tough industry. I really appreciate the love.
Then to my lovely wife, I just want to say, love, you are very precious to me. There is no day I have ever gone to work looking flimsy, ndiwe unondichenesa, unondigonera.
Source: ZimboJam
Popularly known as ‘Soja Rinoenda Kure (The soldier who travels far)’, Jah has managed to win the hearts of Zimbabweans across social strata with his up-tempo contemporary sounds, complemented well by his catchy sing-along lyrics. His good looks haven’t hurt his cause either as his legions of female fans will testify.
Zimbo Jam sat down and had a chat with the busy ‘soldier’, who is currently working on the mega launch of his sixth album titled ‘Jerusarema,’ slated for the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on Friday May 22, 2015.
He shared with us his international ambitions, spoke about family and about how he almost joined the army.
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| Jah Prayzah speaks on Family, Military Ambitions & His Dreams |
The name Jah Prayzah comes from my name, ‘Mukudzei’ which means to praise. On the inspiration aspect, I had a teacher who used to play the mbira. He used to teach me how to play and that’s how I fell in love with music.
With time I got better and people began to realize my gift and encouraged me to be serious with the music and they continued to give me advice.
When did you start recording?
After finishing school in 2005, I abandoned traditional music and began recording some reggae/dancehall tunes with some friends.
Deep inside I knew that this was not my kid of music. I felt I was not expressing myself well as the songs were not mine, the groove was not mine and many other factors.
So in 2007, I went my way and recorded the album ‘Sungano.’
That album did well on the market and was received well by the public.
However, during the period in which the album was fast gaining popularity and I was also beginning to get recognised by promoters and getting some cash, the army told me that my application for military training had been accepted and I was supposed to go for training.
I had to sober up and make a life changing decision at the moment. After careful thought I decided to turn down the military training and focus on my music.
Why are you so passionate about the military? You didn’t become a soldier yes, but your image reflects a love or yearning for it.
I cannot really explain it, but it’s something that I grew up desiring. Whenever I would see a solider I would just feel that this who I want to be in future.
You have two daughters and a wife. How do you balance family with a hectic showbiz life?
It’s difficult to strike a balance really because I am wanted all over the country. But I try to make the best of the little time I have available with my family. During calendar holidays, we are very busy with the band, so I create a holiday for just my family and I whilst everyone else is at work and we get to catch up and make merry then.
You have travelled, performed and are now known in almost all corners of Zimbabwe. Do you have a vision of taking your music to other nations like what Tuku and groups like Mokoomba have done?
Yes, we are trying by all means to get our music out there. We always apply to international festivals and we keep our fingers crossed to get a breakthrough. Artists like Tuku have collaborated a lot with a lot of other international heavyweights, hence, it is easier for them to breakthrough into foreign markets via that route. We will also be following in his footpaths, learning as we go, because it is the desire of every local artist to get where Tuku is.
However, in our endeavour to do all these things, one major drawback is that we do not have many links out there. We might have the content but as long as we do not have the person to link us out there, we are doomed, but we are trying very hard to breakout.
What’s your dream at the moment?
My target right now is to be recognized internationally. That is my dream at the moment because on the local scene we have exhausted all possible avenues.
Tell us about the upcoming album, what’s new and what can fans expect?
My music has not changed much in terms of style when comparing this upcoming project to the previous two. The only major difference is that the sound quality has improved significantly and I believe as an artist I have matured in my delivery so that’s what people can look forward to.
Last year you spent close to $45, 000 on the launch and this year we understand your team will spend close to $75,000 on the ‘Jerusarema’ launch. However, the cost of making the album is nowhere close to this. Why do you prefer to spend big on the launch instead of on the product itself?
There is a difference in value of the investment, there is the value of the art and the time spent. I value the album to be at par with the cost of the launch because I did not start recording it today, those moments I would process thoughts as I was penning a song down amongst other seemingly minor things that add up to producing the album, cost more than the actual launch on a cumulative front.
In your own opinion, in which areas do Zimbabwean musicians need to improve the most?
Zimbabwe is full of artists that are gifted and hardworking, but areas we need to work on are; firstly, we need to find links to get exposed to what other artists are doing on the global stage. Secondly, we have to learn to push our culture. It is pointless to be an artist who sounds like another foreign act. Let us be true to who we are and the world will accept us for our uniqueness.
Words to your fans and family?
To the fans I want to say, thank you all for the support and love. You give me strength to carry on working in this tough industry. I really appreciate the love.
Then to my lovely wife, I just want to say, love, you are very precious to me. There is no day I have ever gone to work looking flimsy, ndiwe unondichenesa, unondigonera.
Source: ZimboJam
