By Kennedy Nyavaya
Becoming famous at a young age can be a marvel, but can be equally taxing, especially in Zimbabwe where music is not viewed as a profession.
In thriving economies young music sensations can afford to dump school completely to focus on music. Local youngsters however, have to pursue school and do well if they want the greenlight to get studio time from parents.
That is the story of Munashe Tanjani, better known as Spiderman, the boy who broke into the Zimdancehall world almost a decade ago when he was only 10 years old.
A few hits and sabbaticals due to focus on examinations sums the chanter’s, now 18-years old, musical journey and he is on the way to reassert his influences in music through the release of a debut 12-track album titled ZimReggaeKings.
“I have been quiet because of school, which I had to take seriously for me to pursue my dream,” he told Standard Style on Friday.
“I did my Form Six arts subjects last year and the results were great so I can now continue with music with happiness.”
The project to be officially launched on November 30 at Wedza Specimen in Glen Norah was collaboratively produced by producers from Yala Nation, BigBassEnt and Hot Property.
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“It [the album] has reggae songs that will revive local people’s love for the genre while giving them a reminiscent feel of where dancehall comes from and make them see the Zim Reggae Kings once had in history.”
However, even when having collaborations with Jamaica’s Selfie, Jaredo from Liberia, Poptain and Mutsa, the chanter’s latest project will have to be good if he is to attract attention from the genre’s finicky music lovers.
That will not be a problem according to Spiderman as he has not forgotten to make music and like wine age has only made him better.
“The good thing is my music has not lost its taste, it grows by day and all the lyrics flowing out of my mouth are fireworks. So, there’s no reason for losing influence but only privileged to get more influential,” said an upbeat Spiderman.
Whether he can reincarnate himself and once more be a household topic, like that time he became the youngest local musician to share the stage with great international acts like Capleton, Mr Vegas and Agent Sasco, remains to be seen.
“It’s a good transition for me because I am only getting better in vocals and in the lyrics. My last hit before being in school again was Mugota featuring Tocky Vibes in 2017 so as of now I’m mixing up with the hot youth of today and moving with the times,” he said.
