BY SHARON SIBINDI
MEDIA and Arts Zimbabwe (MAZ) in Bulawayo is set to launch its debut all-female extended play (EP) on June 1 as part of efforts to empower female creatives through vocational training.
The EP, which features Luchi Shiki, Rudo Amor, Roxy, Gugulethu Sibanda and Shantel Stuart, who were part of the MAZ training, was recorded by Lulamile Moyo, Wandile Mbambo and Ayanda Ayae, a prodigy who has set out to emulate his trainer Godwin Smallz Ndlovu.
Project administrator Chipo Karumazondo told NewsDay Life & Style that the release of the EP signified key milestones and achievements which are part of the organisation’s broader goals.
“One of the areas that was of major concern to female musicians was creating conducive environments for them to record from, as many of the studios that are available are ‘bedroom studios’ run by male producers and these are really not safe spaces for our female musicians to record from,” she said.
“Now that we have trained a significant number of young women with recording skills, we expect them to be able to open female-friendly spaces where fellow females can be comfortable to record from.”
Karumazondo said they were mobilising resources to open a work space hub for the ladies that accommodates music, band rehearsal and photography studios, and general co-working space.
“To empower the next generation of female musicians’ projects, we managed to acquire studio equipment after receiving support from Culture Fund Zimbabwe through the European Union in Zimbabwe and the trainees have been using this equipment to work on their individual projects,” she said.
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“We were fortunate to receive this support to acquire this basic gear, which we are also using to support young female creatives and we are actively calling upon the community to come on board and partner with us going forward. This all-in-one space will cater for female creatives from all sectors from music, visual arts and videographers and filmmakers, among others.”
One of MAZ’s lead trainers, Christensen Mapuranga, said the album was a game-changer with the young girls eager to prove a point to their male colleagues that women can do just as good if given the opportunity.
“The album is the culmination of a training initiative by Media and Arts Zimbabwe. Music fans will be excited to learn that the entire EP was recorded with live instruments as the project took a deliberate stance to ensure that the young ladies had the requisite skills to record music live rather than with the use of digital instruments,” she said.
“The producers had the experience of working and recording with some of Bulawayo’s finest instrumentalists such as CEE Jay.”
Moyo, who comes from a musical family (her father Sotja Moyo, a founding member of Black uMfolosi), said she was excited to produce for her sister Luchi Shiki, a performing artiste.
“My interest has always been on the technical side of music creation and I think I have found my place in my family now.
“Having a trained producer in the family means that we can explore our creativity better as we can collaborate since we are always together and I feel I understand and can better translate what both Dad and Luchi wish to convey in their music,” she said.
Luchi Shiki said the project was a first for her in terms of recording with instruments as her previous album had digital instruments.
“I was privileged to have been part of the training as it empowered me in a number of ways. I now have more creative control over my music.
“I can do most of the technical stuff, especially the instrument recording myself even from home and only go into the studio for the vocals,” she said.
“It is also my first time recording with live instrumentals and I feel this is growth and the right step in the progression of my career.”
- Follow Sharon on Twitter @SibindiSharon
