VUSA “Blaqs” Hlatshwayo is making waves on the showbiz circuit as his music video creations, among them the smashing Bhachura and Watchu Want continue to make it on top of music video charts.
BY KENNEDY NYAVAYA
The Bulawayo-bred video director has leisurely turned his hobby into a life-sustaining profession that has brought changes to his life.
In an interview with The Standard Style, Blaqs said his breakthrough came on the World Radio Day commemorations at a local radio station (ZiFM) where he met several musicians who had also graced the station in commemoration of the day.
“Although I had made a name in Bulawayo with some of my productions already playing on local television, I had a great opportunity to showcase my works at this gathering that had both seasoned and upcoming artistes,” Blaqs said.
“It was at this event that I met ExQ and we had a chat and he later contacted me for the Bhachura video project and from then many musicians started to contact me after they watched the video and I believe that was my turning point in this profession.”
Blaqs, a multi-instrumentalist who has also released some songs, said controversy is the order of his work.
“I am brave with my art. I am going to continue working hard and people can expect more videos that will create extra controversies to destroy some of the perceptions in the industry,” he said.
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Blaqs admits that despite gaining popularity in the industry, he is yet to realise the remarkable economic value off his expertise, adding that his main focus was to help the artistes take their works to another level.
While a number of music videos by local artistes are making waves beyond the borders, Blaqs believes that it can only be maintained if the musicians do not just concentrate on making money.
“The synergy should be there between the artiste and the video director, but currently people are just doing business and not the art that sells and it is the only way to bring something new and different,” he said.
He said more projects with artistes, among them hip-hop sensation Tehn Diamond, dancehall chanter Killer T and gospel singer Fungisai Zvakavapano Mashavave were on the way.
