BY STYLE REPORTER
SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean hip-hop musician Jimmie “Shasha Dze Hip-hop” Maleta who is making waves in Mzansi says he has settled well across Limpopo making the neighbouring country his second home.
In an interview with the The Standard Style, from his Mzansi base, the 30-year-old rapper said although South Africa has literally become his second home, the road to stardom has not been that rosy.
“The music journey is quite challenging as we had to go the long route of begging corporate friends to sponsor us to enable us to look big so that we can share the stage with seasoned artistes rather than wait for promoters to do us the goodwill. I can safely say now I have settled well here in Cape Town,” he said,” he said.
Maleta expressed happiness that by God’s grace he had managed to overcome some of the challenges and that had seen him being able to expand his fan base.
“Being away from home, I am happy that my efforts are being recognised, considering the positive feedback I am getting from the fans on different platforms. I am also being incorporated on several live concerts by both South African and Zimbabwean promoters.”
Maleta said he had obtained a diverse fan base from collaborations he did with great artistes from Nigeria, Burundi, Congo, Tanzania and South Africa, among other countries.
“I am trying my best to break the geographic isolation that people experience in small towns. I was born and bred in Chegutu and people usually look down upon small towns. I want to change that perception through music,” he said.
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Maleta is determined to take Zimbabwean music to the global stage, through collaborations with international artistes.
The singer has two albums under his sleeve; Ndipeiwo Mukana and Maleta Music. Some of his popular songs include Winner, Shona Phansi and Samasimba that features South African artiste Zipho K and Ulikwa Wapi that features Burundian Afro-pop star Livien Mugenzi aka M Lee and Captain Blu.
Locally, he has also worked with a number of both upcoming and seasoned artistes, among them urban grooves pioneers Nox, Maskiri and Memory Zaranyika.
Maleta said he will be dropping his forthcoming EP that features TK Hollun, Nox, Maskiri and Legend Elly next month.
Meanwhile, the musician-cum-fashionista is optimistic that his recently launched Dotfive street wear will become a competitive clothing brand.
“Our Dotfive designs are impressive and the aim is to stay competitive in the market by bringing in new styles in the product as people always have different fashion tastes,” he said. “Our street wear ranges from T-shirts and tracksuits for both men and women, to outdoor wear that include jackets, snap back caps, hoodies, tees and also kids wear all branded with the signature mark Dotfive Entertainment.
