"HUSTLE AND FEED THE SOUL MUSICALLY....."

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"HUSTLE AND FEED THE SOUL MUSICALLY....."

WRITTEN BY |NYASHA SIBANDA

This singer is all about the hustle — and in the process, he wants to make music that feeds the soul. Tellmore Taylor (TellahC4G) Rwakatiwana, a 24-year old Afro pop fusion recording artist from Highfields in Harare, is known for his smooth beats and powerful vocals. He is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Crazy4GoodWear (C4G). What some don't know about him, however, is where he picked up the grind.

"I've always wanted to be a singer from a tender age. My mom was good at it so I'd sing along with her and somehow I loved it. I take my role as an artist very seriously, although I still have endless amounts of fun and experience great joy in my studio. I try to be very thoughtful and socially and politically aware of my surroundings. Whenever I experience feelings of discomfort in my life, I need to find an answer by transforming those feelings through my art. I prefer to be a harbinger of good news and hope, in this increasingly broken world of ours and I find that images have immense power to restore collective emotional pain and lift the spirit. Because I transform my own anguish concerning the present and also the future into something tangible which is simple, hopeful and beautiful, my role is to

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offer through my art and without being superficial, a message of hope to society, my community and the world at large".

Which instruments did you play in high school?

I didn't play any instrument at school but I've always wanted to play a guitar. It is now that I'm learning how to play it and it is really amazing and it soothes my soul. An acoustic guitar is my favorite because I love melodies from it. It calms my nerves. I don't like the piano though, I have tried so hard to play it and I have never gotten it right. I think I will start enjoying it when I can finally effortlessly play it.

What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to ten years?

In the next 5 to 10 years I see myself on top just like Burna Boy. I want to focus on a Grammy journey, I want to be the next big thing. I am trusting in the process and I'm sure in the next few years I am going to get my first Grammy. I am also working on my clothing line, I want it to be a very big brand and I think I can use my music to market my clothes.

What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?

My strength is dedication and passion. When I do my work I give my all and what happens around me is my muse. My dream for the Grammys also gets me going, I am determined to get it no matter what happens along the way.

What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?

Music makes me feel alive, it defines me. Music is also an area where expressing my emotions, goals, and ideas, in the realm of the personal, social

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and political, is an exercise in communicating my individual experience. Working with artists and in art spaces in other parts of the world, beautiful exchanges of ideas often happen –which creates artistic growth, empathy, and new understandings. Everybody hurts. Everybody loves. Everybody hopes. And, everybody dies. Mainly, art is about our human sense of mortality.

Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician?

My favorite part of being a musician is being surrounded by people. Having people looking up to you. The least part is when your audience are not getting what you're doing, missing the vibe. It’s the worst cause you'd feel like quitting sometimes Are there any past instructors you look up to? What qualities did they have that you admire?

My mom was my instructor, she had all qualities that one could look up to. I am particularly grateful for the way she coached my voice and her advises to mesh taught me how to handle praises, criticism and hustle. She also taught me a lot about the benefits and dangers of being a musician. She also taught me a lot about life and I appreciate her mentorship very much.

What's your process for dealing with performance anxiety?

What would you do if you made a mistake during a performance?

If I make a mistake during a performance I will not panic, I'll calm myself down and continue with the performance like nothing happened. I will try my best to make sure the audience are distracted from noticing the mistake so that I don't reduce my fan base.

What type of musician would you prefer to collaborate with?

I'd like to collaborate with every type of music. I'd like to feel the vibe between two genres and how the audience will react to how we put it out there.

I'm very vibrant and confident so I don't really experience any performance anxiety. When I perform, I go all out, no stage fright and no room for negative thoughts and deliver my message to my fans.

Are there any musicians who inspire you? What qualities do you admire about them?

Burna Boy is a musician who inspires me. I admire the way he started from the bottom and how he is up there. Recognized in the world as one of the best musician, an African giant and getting a Grammy. I will be like Burna Boy...

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IS KENDRICK LAMAR’S NEW PROJECT A DOUBLE ALBUM (AND A BOOK)?

On Tuesday, the rapper uploaded a photo of himself holding a pair of CDs and a book in one hand as he crossed his legs on a Persian rug. The burgundy book is seen engraved with the title of the project, along with Lamar’s full name (as opposed to the Oklama moniker he’s been using in the album’s lead-up). As for the two CDs: one had the word “Steppers” (referencing the Big Steppers) and “master copy” on it, while the second read “Morale” (referring to Mr. Morale), each handwritten. Lamar announced the arrival of his album with a press release featuring the letterhead of his company pgLang, and signed with his Oklama moniker. The letter states: “The following statement was released today by Oklama through his company pgLang at 11 a.m. PT in Los Angeles CA: Album: ‘Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.’ Release date: 5/13/2022. All factual information for this release will come directly from this source only.”