BOTSWANA-based music producer and singer, Tawanda Kasaira better known as Dr Tawanda (Dr T) was recently spotted in Harare.
Patriot Arts Reporter, Gracious Mugovera (GM), caught up with him and had a one- on-one interview.
Below is the interview:
GM: How are you Dr Tawanda?
I have seen you several times here and there.
Can you tell Zimbabweans what you are up to?
Dr T: Yes, I have been doing a number of projects with some local musicians.
GM: Please shed more light.
Dr T: Right now I am producing for Madiz.
In fact, I have already done a single he did with Slizer entitled ‘Hatibatike’ and I am glad it’s topping on our local charts.
I am also working with a new lady in the music scene, who has an album that comprises genres such as Jazz and Deep House or Urban House.
I also produced Beverley Sibanda’s debut album, Tapinda.
GM: So are these the only projects you are working on?
Dr T: No, I am also working with Extra Large, Leonard Mapfumo and other projects await agreements.
GM: You made an impact in Botswana with a remix of Macheso’s songs.
Tell me more about that and why Zimbabweans are not getting new remixes from you?
Dr T: That time I wanted to create a name that later became known not only in Zimbabwe, but in Africa, America and Europe.
However, I began researching on what is currently wanted on the market and realised that dancehall is on the limelight.
So I did a dancehall album, but have got my own way of releasing it.
GM:: Really?
Tell me about your unique way.
Dr T: I do not release a whole album, but start by giving out a single.
So very soon I will release a single entitled ‘Ndipe Zvinhu Zvangu’ that I cannot tell revellers more about.
It will be officially released next year, during the first quarter.
Everything has been finalised and I think by end of January, the album will be ready and the DVD too.
GM: So why the delay yet everything is there?
Dr T: The only challenge is that I am more into production than singing and I have to manage three studios, two in Botswana and one here.
The other thing is, I see myself as a competitor than an artiste.
GM: Explain what you mean by that.
Dr T: A competitor is a person who comes to frighten up the market.
For example, I remixed Macheso’s songs and no one did the same from there.
So I bring competition into the music industry thus I prefer calling myself a competitor.
GM: Speaking about Macheso, there was a story of you being banned from remixing his songs, is it true?
Dr T: No, it’s not exactly like that.
Macheso blessed me the first time I remixed his songs, however, the second time since he was on a contract he wanted to be notified.
He did not forbid me, actually he wanted to add his input and the album is still being sold.
So the allegations were not true.
GM: You are a producer for both Slizer and Beverley.
Are you not trying to make them imitate each other?
Dr T: No, their music is completely different.
Slizer’s can be regarded as House Kwasa, a combination of House drum and guitars that sound like Rhumba.
On the other hand, in Bev there is dancehall, ragga and pure House and Kwasa kwasa.
The only similarity is Slizer and Bev dance about the same.
GM:How do you see the Zimbabwean music market compared to Botswana?
Dr T: In Zimbabwe, because of the 75 percent local content, the market is quite a blessing although it is being affected by piracy.
However, in Botswana selling is very low.
Even if the artiste strives to do shows, Batswana don’t attend like ‘Zimbos’ do here.
GM: How long have you been in Botswana and are you back in Zimbabwe for good?
Dr T: No.
It’s my seventh year in Botswana and I was just setting up one of my studios this side.
I just brought Mega One Studios to work with local artistes here.
GM: How did you end up in Botswana?
Dr T:It started when I was in ‘A’ Level at Cranborne High School, Harare, when I would sneak out for production lessons.
In 2003 I released my debut gospel album, Tevera Jesu and in 2005, I went to Botswana after meeting ‘Vee’ on his tour here in Zimbabwe.
I later produced hits for Captain Ndira, Vee, Slizer and Macau and in 2008 I set up my own studio, Mega Base, where the best of Botswana’s artistes recorded.
I have produced 176 hits in Botswana up to date and all this is for the love of my six-year-old daughter Makanaka.
GM: Any plans for the upcoming year?
Dr T: Definitely.
I want to set up more studios.
Currently I am working on setting up one in Namibia.
My 2014 resolution is starting a company of marketing and promoting artistes.
GM: Best wishes on your resolution and thank you for sparing your time.
Dr T: Anytime, thank you.