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Zimbabwean musician Q Montana, real name Brighton Kufa, landed a lucrative music deal last week in what has become his new base in South Africa.
StandardLife&Style reporter Silence Charumbira (SC) caught up with the elated Q Montana (QM) and below are some excerpts from the interview.
SC: What is the meaning of the deal to you?
QM: It is a major breakthrough for me. Although I cannot get into the details at the moment, I can confirm I signed my contract on Monday with my new label.
Eish man, it is a whole different ball game. I signed my licensing contract with Coolspot which publishes with Sheer and Risa.
It has reassured me that my music has grown to a world-class standard and it being accepted into a label with big artists is quite an achievement.
Secondly, I am happy because it is exposing my music and my talent to the rest of the world, implying I now have a chance to show the world what I have and to also lift the Zimbabwean flag high.
SC: In the short period that you have been in South Africa, what do you see as the major shortcomings of the Zimbabwean arts environment compared to that of SA?
QM: More opportunities and resources for artists, a lot of venues, events, festivals, corporate world supports the industry a lot so it is easier for artists to earn a living from music alone.
The system is well-organised, from agents, managers, unions etc. The way in which different music companies work together is also very impressive. You actually feel that everyone in the system is pushing for a better industry, not selfish gains
SC: Does our music have a place in the modern world considering the infiltration of foreign cultures and half-baked concepts that many have been employing?
QM: A big yes, this is the reason why I was actually signed. The world is looking for original music. People are interested in knowing our heritage, our culture because those are the things which define us.
Unknown to many people, especially young upcoming artists, the world is looking for our Zimbabwean music and are willing to give an ear to anyone who comes offering that and it is sought after just like any other music from anywhere in the world.
SC: From which view does South Africa see Zimbabwean art and what makes it unique?
QM: They are fascinated by our music because it has certain rhythms and styles which we see as ordinary but to them are quite vexing and the way in which we execute them at ease makes them appreciate our skill.
SC: Now that you have sealed the deal, what is the next step? Any plans of returning home soon or you are another good one gone bad?
QM: At the moment I have a lot of promotional work to do with radio stations, television, print media and a lot of performances have been lined up as well.
I will be in Cape town January 27-29 for a festival and I have also started preparing for my Canada and United Kingdom tours in May, June and July.
In the meantime I will now be based in South Africa, hope to come back home soon though.
I have a lot of commitments this side, and now that my management and agents are this side it makes business sense to be based here though I will continue to hold shows in Zimbabwe and maintain my fan base.
Zimbabwean music from montana’s point of view
SC: What do you see as the future of Zimbabwean music?
QM: Zimbabwe has a lot of talent and unique sound that the word is looking for. It is amazing that so many big bands here in South Africa have Zimbabweans as their key band members.
Imagine if all this talent was to come back home; our industry would boom to become one of the best in the world. Every artist you talk to dreams of coming to perform and be based home.
So it is only a matter of time, at the same time the exposure outside is doing a lot of good in that it is an eye-opener for many artists.
Obviously with the few things I have learnt so far, if I am to come back home I would definitely do things differently in my band.
SC: Do you have any Zimbabwean artists that you are working with that side?
QM: I plan on working with quite a number of Zimbabwean artists based this side and some from home as well for the main reason of exposing them to the market that has appreciated my music.
That stretches to festival organisers, promoters and many more that I am working with. I am even going a step further by doing collaborations with other Zimbabwean urban groovers like Nox and Trinta fusing their genres with mine.
That would also help them in getting the same exposure that I am getting.
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