He has bagged international accolades like, Best African Performer In Sierra Leone and Best African Dancehall Artist USA, among others an...
He has bagged international accolades like, Best African
Performer In Sierra Leone and Best African Dancehall Artist USA, among others and
wherever he goes he continues to not only raise the bar but his country's flag as
well!
Chances are you have already listened to hits from the young
man such as 'Dai Ndarega' which enjoyed its fair share of airplay on local radion.
Other relatively successful hits from the dancehall artists include,
'BIG MERO', 'ABHURAMA TIYERESE', 'DHO DHOIRI', 'MBAVHA' and 'WARRIOR' featuring
Gully Bop n 'Take You To Africa', an internationally-recognized collaboration with
Peppahot.
Urban Craft caught up with the artist known in the dancehall
circles as Champz Mativi who is back home after spending his formative years based
in Jamaica.
Below is how the interview went;
I am sure everyone,
including us would like to know Just who Champs Mativi is......
Epilogue Mutunya {born 12 June 95} better known as Champz Mativi
son of Irene Machongwe and Lovemore Mutunya.
Champz Mativi is in a family of 6 ,4girls and 2 boys. Currently
back home in Zimbabwe but was based In Jamaica for quite some time.
From where/whom do you
draw your biggest influence?
I'm not influenced by anyone because the time you get
influenced by other artists you will become a copycat! Youu will begin sounding
like the one who is influencing you so you just need to do your on thing.
I'm influenced by myself but i love to listen to all types
of genres because you learn 1 - 2 things from that
Where do you get your
inspiration from when it comes to your music?
Music just 'bangs' into my head when the instrumental is
thrown and more times than not, it will be too late for me to get a paper and
pen.
You have collaborated
with quite a number of international acts, which of them standout the most for you?
I have done a lot of collabos with international artists
than I have done with those based back home.
Collaborations with the likes of Gully Bop{Jamaica} ,
Peppahot {Jamaican based in Usa } Angel Eyes{JA} Keisha Preeps {Bahamas} and Shell
Dem {Italy}, just to mention a fewfew.
Locally i have worked with Fungisai and Empress Fyna, among others.
What made you want to
pursue music as a career?
I pursued music as a career because that is the legacy that my
father left for meme. It was up to me to carry on in his footsteps.
My father was of course a former Okavango boys vocalist and
guitarist at the same time, so in a sense I am taking over where my father left
off.
Can you share with us
some of your goals?
My goal is to make Zimbabwean music great and appreciated on
the international market, to put our flag on the music map so-to-speak.
I don't want our music to just end up locally like what is currently
happening now and has been for years.
If they recognize and appreciate my sound, I know they will
be looking for more Zimbabwean artists to listen to as well.
I'm trying so hard to make that wish a reality and thus far my
music has been played worldwide. Shout out to #ONEARTIST ONBBEXTRA &
AFRICAFM
Any album to your name
as yet?
I have no album to my name as yet, just working on singles
since i started my career. I am not pressuring myself at the moment, I'm
waiting for God time.
What are you currently
working on in the studio right now?
I'm working on a new 8 country collaboration with different
artists from different nations and it's set to be out in March and also releasing
my 1st 2017 track called {Dho Dhoiri} Produced By Sludem Recordz. It will be
out end of February and made available to Starfm and Zifm, among other local stations.
What else takes up your
time, besides music?
Besides music I'm involved in Music music music music music
music music!!
Music is my life so all the time i have for living is for fully
invested in my music.
What makes Champz Mativi
unique?
Nothing makes me unique or different from other artists
because we all the same but what we think is different.
Their aim and my aim is totally different because I'm
fighting for an international standard and fighting hard to put our country on the
map. My counterparts are still stuck in that 'ghetto mentality', making music only
for their peers at the expense of a global market.
Any words of advice for
aspiring artists out there?
My advice to aspiring artists is that don't ever give up
because the time you give up is the time you, more often than not, about to
rise up so never listen to negative minds. Nevertheless, being criticized makes
you stronger, not bitter so open yourself up to it as that is the only way you will
grow.
Even Jesus Christ was criticized, ko kuzoti iwewe zvako
munhu
What can your fans expect?
MILLION BAGGA STYLES COMING FROM CHAMPZ MATIVI HOPE GOD
KEEPS ALL OF YOU ALIVE SO YOU WILL NOT BE LEFT OUT
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