Kwanza Unit:Then and NOW
CHEKI NA INTERVIEW NILIYOPIGA NA K.SINGO(KBC) WA KWANZA UNIT
KIWA.Mambo vipi?
KBC:What up kiwa!! It’s OBAMA 09 and I like this atmosphere,..Tunaendelea Kupambana..!!
KIWA: Kwanza kabisa nadhani wapenzi wengi wa fani ya muziki nchini Tanzania na duniani kote wangependa kufahamu;uko wapi na unajishughulisha na nini hivi sasa?Bado unafanya shughuli za muziki?Kama hapana,imekuwaje ukaachana na muziki?
KBC:What up kiwa!! It’s OBAMA 09 and I like this atmosphere,..Tunaendelea Kupambana..!!
KIWA: Kwanza kabisa nadhani wapenzi wengi wa fani ya muziki nchini Tanzania na duniani kote wangependa kufahamu;uko wapi na unajishughulisha na nini hivi sasa?Bado unafanya shughuli za muziki?Kama hapana,imekuwaje ukaachana na muziki?
KBC:Well at the moment im “PassPort Pimpin”..In and Out of Bongo..Si Unajua tena siku hizi dunia kijiji cha ujamaa??I’m Graphic Designer by Profession..Mfanya Biashara and a B.BOY GENTLEMAN..In Bongo im a Hip Hop Veteran..Sitoweza kuacha music..I still write alot.
KIWA: Kumekuwepo na mijadala mbalimbali kuhusiana na historia nzima ya kundi la Kwanza Unit. Ndani ya mijadala hiyo kumekuwepo na kutofautiana kuhusu historia nzima ya kundi hilo.Unaweza leo kutuambia kwa mlipoanzisha kundi la Kwanza Unit mlikuwa wangapi, kina nani na mlikuwa na malengo gani hasa?Mwamko wenu ulitokana na nini?
KBC: First and foremost let me start by giving Thanx to All the Kwanza Unit supporters All over the world,from the early days till now..
Kwa kweli tumeshuhudia mijadala mingi kuhusu historia ya Kwanza Unit lakini tatizo watu wengi huitazama Kwanza Unit kama kundi la muziki tuu..while Kwanza UniT is/was a MOVEMENT. That’s bigger than Music…bigger than the number of Emcees in it..
The Movement started in 1992.Malengo yalikuwa ni kwanza kutambulisha na kuelimisha jamii kuhusu utamaduni huu wa HipHop..Pili ni kutumia Hiphop kama chombo au kitendea kazi cha kuelimisha na kuangazia mazuri na mabaya yanayotokea katika jamii zetu za TZ..Long story short EDUTAINMENT..
KIWA: Ni changamoto gani(kiutendaji na kijamii) ambazo mlikumbana nazo kipindi mnaanza ku-rap?
KBC:Changamoto ilikuwa to follow the VISION that we had collectively..to Document whats happening Around our Jamii,..The Struggle,The Good times,the joys and Pains..so we became the Voice of the urban Bongo Youth.
KIWA: Kumekuwepo na mijadala mbalimbali kuhusiana na historia nzima ya kundi la Kwanza Unit. Ndani ya mijadala hiyo kumekuwepo na kutofautiana kuhusu historia nzima ya kundi hilo.Unaweza leo kutuambia kwa mlipoanzisha kundi la Kwanza Unit mlikuwa wangapi, kina nani na mlikuwa na malengo gani hasa?Mwamko wenu ulitokana na nini?
KBC: First and foremost let me start by giving Thanx to All the Kwanza Unit supporters All over the world,from the early days till now..
Kwa kweli tumeshuhudia mijadala mingi kuhusu historia ya Kwanza Unit lakini tatizo watu wengi huitazama Kwanza Unit kama kundi la muziki tuu..while Kwanza UniT is/was a MOVEMENT. That’s bigger than Music…bigger than the number of Emcees in it..
The Movement started in 1992.Malengo yalikuwa ni kwanza kutambulisha na kuelimisha jamii kuhusu utamaduni huu wa HipHop..Pili ni kutumia Hiphop kama chombo au kitendea kazi cha kuelimisha na kuangazia mazuri na mabaya yanayotokea katika jamii zetu za TZ..Long story short EDUTAINMENT..
KIWA: Ni changamoto gani(kiutendaji na kijamii) ambazo mlikumbana nazo kipindi mnaanza ku-rap?
KBC:Changamoto ilikuwa to follow the VISION that we had collectively..to Document whats happening Around our Jamii,..The Struggle,The Good times,the joys and Pains..so we became the Voice of the urban Bongo Youth.
KIWA:Ni wazi kwamba muziki wa rap/hip hop nchini Tanzania umeshapitia vipindi kadhaa muhimu.Hapa nazungumzia tangu kuanzishwa kwake mpaka hapa ulipo hivi leo.Sasa ukilinganisha na “enzi zenu” na jinsi mziki ulivyo hivi leo nchini Tanzania,kuna tofauti gani za kimsingi ambazo unaziona?Ni tofauti nzuri au mbaya?Kwanini?
KBC:“Enzi Zetu” huh?..ha haa..we not that old Jeff! HipHop Culture inatambulika zaidi kwa watanzania siku hizi.Thanx to Programs like WAPI chini ya usimamizi wa ZAVARAA a.k.a CHIEF RHYMSOM,kwa kuelimisha vijana kuhusu Hiphop Culture and its elements.
Lakini Bongo HipHop music bado unapata vikwazo vingi siku hizi kutokana na mafanikio ya muziki wa BONGO FLAVA. Watanzania wengi Bado hawajui tofauti kati ya HipHop na Bongo Flava..hata wale Radio DJ ambao ni kiungo kati ya msanii na mashabiki wa Muziki wa TZ.
Siku hizi Everybody RAPs..Even RnB singers Rap nowadays..lakini ukweli ni Kwamba just cos you Rap.. it doesn’t make you HipHop artist.Ni kama wale watalii wazungu wanaweza kujifunza kuongea Kiswahili vizuri tuu..lakini hawawezi kuwa waswahili..vivyo Hivyo kuna wasanii wengi wa BongoFlava wanao Rap lakini sio Wana HipHop.
KIWA: Pia kumekuwepo na habari au taarifa tofauti tofauti kuhusu muanzilishi au waanzilishi wa muziki wa kufoka foka(rap) nchini Tanzania.Kwa unavyokumbuka au kuelewa wewe,nani unaweza kumuita mwanzilishi wa rap nchini Tanzania?Ilikuwaje?
KBC: No Disrespect Jeff,but the word KUFOKA FOKA is offensive to an artist as the ‘N’ word to a Black person..that word was invented by ignorant TZ journalist who did not know anything about Rap music,and even when they were informed about it they refused to call it what it is..RAP MUSIC..so they called it KuFOKA FOKA..
Now you see what we had to go thru “Enzi Zetu”..we had to fight for everything..Most press and media people at that time found it hard to be informed about this new artform by these Urban Bongo youngsters.Most of them wrote their own version of our story and that’s why you have too many contradicting stories.
KIWA: Kama ilivyo kwa mambo mengi katika jamii,muziki wa kizazi kipya ni eneo mojawapo ambalo linapingwa,kubezwa na kupewa shutuma mbalimbali.Miongoni mwa shutuma zinazoambatana na pingamizi kadhaa ni ile ya kwamba hivi leo vijana wengi wanafanya muziki sio kwa sababu wana vipaji bali ni katika minajili ya kuganga njaa tu.Unasemaje kuhusu shutuma kama hizo?Unadhani zina ukweli wowote?Kama ndio,hali hiyo unadhani ina mchango gani katika maendeleo ya muziki?
KBC: Muziki sio kitu ambacho kila mtu anaweza kufanya,kwa kizazi kipya au Zilipendwa..The Problem is not doing it for the money or for the love..the issue is do these so called Wasanii know music??..
Ukweli ni kwamba hata kama una kipaji cha muziki ili watu wakusikie utahitaji kurecord professionally. Hapo itabidi ulipe studio fees,mashabiki wa muziki ni wengi itakubidi kujipromote..itabidi utengeneze copies of your demo..itakugharimu..Hata kama unataka kutoa muziki wako bure itakubidi utengeneze copy nyingi ili kila mtu akusikie nk
Sasa kwa wale wanaoweza muziki na wana uhakika na vipaji vyao kutokana na demand ya mashabiki wa muziki,wameingia kwenye “Biashara ya Muziki”..watu wengi wanaotoa shutuma Hizo inabidi wafanye mahesabu ya gharama za kurecord+Kupromote. Studio owners dont care kama una kipaji or Not..All Money is good Money,its bizness,they have bills to pay too.If it was Free then we could critisize.Halafu kila mtu ana haki ya kujitafutia.Si ni borawafanye Muziki kuliko kwenda kukaba na kutumia madawa ya kulevya..au sio?
KIWA: Katika muendelezo huo huo wa shutuma na lawama,limekuwepo suala la producers kuonekana kama chanzo cha kuzorotesha ukuaji na umakini wa muziki wa kizazi kipya.Wanaosema hivyo wanasema kitendo cha producers kukubali kumuingiza mtu yeyote studio ili arekodi nyimbo bila kuzingatia kipaji alicho nacho mtu bali hela aliyonayo tu kinaua kabisa fani.Unasemaje kuhusu hilo?Unashauri nini kifanyike?
KBC:Tatizo sio Music Producers Jeff..kusema kurecord wasio na Talent ni kuua fani ni sawa na kusema Kufundisha wanafunzi wajinga ni kuua elimu..Tatizo ni Radio Dj’s wasiojua Muziki,wanaopokea pesa na kupromote yeyote yule mwenye pesa..sisi wana Hiphop tunaziita WACK SONGS.
Kwa mtindo huo huwapa nafasi wasio na vipaji kwenye chart za muziki..so every other kid thinks music is easy..so they go to the studio too..more money to the Producer-More money to Radio Dj’s..More money kwa Muhindi anayeuza kanda(cassettes) na kuwaibia wasanii..RADIOs KILLED GOOD MUSIC!!
KBC:“Enzi Zetu” huh?..ha haa..we not that old Jeff! HipHop Culture inatambulika zaidi kwa watanzania siku hizi.Thanx to Programs like WAPI chini ya usimamizi wa ZAVARAA a.k.a CHIEF RHYMSOM,kwa kuelimisha vijana kuhusu Hiphop Culture and its elements.
Lakini Bongo HipHop music bado unapata vikwazo vingi siku hizi kutokana na mafanikio ya muziki wa BONGO FLAVA. Watanzania wengi Bado hawajui tofauti kati ya HipHop na Bongo Flava..hata wale Radio DJ ambao ni kiungo kati ya msanii na mashabiki wa Muziki wa TZ.
Siku hizi Everybody RAPs..Even RnB singers Rap nowadays..lakini ukweli ni Kwamba just cos you Rap.. it doesn’t make you HipHop artist.Ni kama wale watalii wazungu wanaweza kujifunza kuongea Kiswahili vizuri tuu..lakini hawawezi kuwa waswahili..vivyo Hivyo kuna wasanii wengi wa BongoFlava wanao Rap lakini sio Wana HipHop.
KIWA: Pia kumekuwepo na habari au taarifa tofauti tofauti kuhusu muanzilishi au waanzilishi wa muziki wa kufoka foka(rap) nchini Tanzania.Kwa unavyokumbuka au kuelewa wewe,nani unaweza kumuita mwanzilishi wa rap nchini Tanzania?Ilikuwaje?
KBC: No Disrespect Jeff,but the word KUFOKA FOKA is offensive to an artist as the ‘N’ word to a Black person..that word was invented by ignorant TZ journalist who did not know anything about Rap music,and even when they were informed about it they refused to call it what it is..RAP MUSIC..so they called it KuFOKA FOKA..
Now you see what we had to go thru “Enzi Zetu”..we had to fight for everything..Most press and media people at that time found it hard to be informed about this new artform by these Urban Bongo youngsters.Most of them wrote their own version of our story and that’s why you have too many contradicting stories.
KIWA: Kama ilivyo kwa mambo mengi katika jamii,muziki wa kizazi kipya ni eneo mojawapo ambalo linapingwa,kubezwa na kupewa shutuma mbalimbali.Miongoni mwa shutuma zinazoambatana na pingamizi kadhaa ni ile ya kwamba hivi leo vijana wengi wanafanya muziki sio kwa sababu wana vipaji bali ni katika minajili ya kuganga njaa tu.Unasemaje kuhusu shutuma kama hizo?Unadhani zina ukweli wowote?Kama ndio,hali hiyo unadhani ina mchango gani katika maendeleo ya muziki?
KBC: Muziki sio kitu ambacho kila mtu anaweza kufanya,kwa kizazi kipya au Zilipendwa..The Problem is not doing it for the money or for the love..the issue is do these so called Wasanii know music??..
Ukweli ni kwamba hata kama una kipaji cha muziki ili watu wakusikie utahitaji kurecord professionally. Hapo itabidi ulipe studio fees,mashabiki wa muziki ni wengi itakubidi kujipromote..itabidi utengeneze copies of your demo..itakugharimu..Hata kama unataka kutoa muziki wako bure itakubidi utengeneze copy nyingi ili kila mtu akusikie nk
Sasa kwa wale wanaoweza muziki na wana uhakika na vipaji vyao kutokana na demand ya mashabiki wa muziki,wameingia kwenye “Biashara ya Muziki”..watu wengi wanaotoa shutuma Hizo inabidi wafanye mahesabu ya gharama za kurecord+Kupromote. Studio owners dont care kama una kipaji or Not..All Money is good Money,its bizness,they have bills to pay too.If it was Free then we could critisize.Halafu kila mtu ana haki ya kujitafutia.Si ni borawafanye Muziki kuliko kwenda kukaba na kutumia madawa ya kulevya..au sio?
KIWA: Katika muendelezo huo huo wa shutuma na lawama,limekuwepo suala la producers kuonekana kama chanzo cha kuzorotesha ukuaji na umakini wa muziki wa kizazi kipya.Wanaosema hivyo wanasema kitendo cha producers kukubali kumuingiza mtu yeyote studio ili arekodi nyimbo bila kuzingatia kipaji alicho nacho mtu bali hela aliyonayo tu kinaua kabisa fani.Unasemaje kuhusu hilo?Unashauri nini kifanyike?
KBC:Tatizo sio Music Producers Jeff..kusema kurecord wasio na Talent ni kuua fani ni sawa na kusema Kufundisha wanafunzi wajinga ni kuua elimu..Tatizo ni Radio Dj’s wasiojua Muziki,wanaopokea pesa na kupromote yeyote yule mwenye pesa..sisi wana Hiphop tunaziita WACK SONGS.
Kwa mtindo huo huwapa nafasi wasio na vipaji kwenye chart za muziki..so every other kid thinks music is easy..so they go to the studio too..more money to the Producer-More money to Radio Dj’s..More money kwa Muhindi anayeuza kanda(cassettes) na kuwaibia wasanii..RADIOs KILLED GOOD MUSIC!!
KIWA: Leo hii ukiangalia jinsi ambayo muziki unaoitwa wa kizazi kipya umepata umaarufu kiasi kwamba ndio umekuwa kimbilio la vijana wengi katika kutaka kujiajiri na mambo kama hayo unajisikiaje?KBC: It really feels like Graduation day..Job Well Done..Juhudi zetu na malengo yetu yametimia,nguvu zetu hazikupotea bure..TZ artist can live off music now..Vijana wa kitanzania wanatumia sauti zao na uwezo wao wakisanii kujiajiri na kutangaza utamaduni na maisha ya jamii yetu ya Kitanzania..ProF Jay on tour Europe+USA..Juma Nature getting nominated for MTV awards…Lady JayDee performing at Nelson Mandela’s Birthday nk. Enzi zetu wengine walituita wahuni lakini hatukukata tama.Leo hii hata President Jakaya Kikwete ni mshabiki wa muziki huu wa kizazi kipya.1994 People were amazed of what KWANZA can do..today Im amazed of what FID Q can do..”it feels really really Good”..
KIWA: Ni wanamuziki gani nchini Tanzania hivi leo wanaokuvutia kutokana na kazi zao?Kwanini?
KBC:Unajua Muziki wa Vijana TZ umegawanyika,I have alot nitataja wachache..HASHIM a.k.a Dogo,FID Q,JUMA NATURE,SALU T,Professor JAY,J-Mo,MChiZi Mox,CHIDI BENZ,NAKO2NAKO,BaBUU,KURASSA,LANGA,BOB-Q na BK,..aaaah Man! kiwa I got many..LADY JAYDEE,NURUWELL,DAZ NUNDAZ,MASHARIKANZ,Giz MABOVU,Mjomba NASH..i can feel up a room kiwa let me stop..ha haaa
KIWA: Je mna mpango wowote wa kujumuika siku moja kama Kwanza Unit na kufanya japo onyesho moja na pamoja?Mawasiliano yenu yakoje?
KBC: Yeess!!Mpango huo upo na ulikuwepo..Tulitarajia kujumuika pamoja mwaka jana kwa Kishindo Kikubwa ile siku ya 08/08/08..Lakini Mikataba ya Kibiashara ikaingiliana..lakini yote Heri..Tegeni Macho na Masikio 2009!!..its gonna be BIG!!
KIWA: Matatizo ya haki miliki na wasanii kuibiwa kazi zao yamekuwepo toka enzi na enzi.Unadhani kwanini inakuwa ngumu kuyapatia ufumbuzi?Unadhani hiyo ni vita isiyo na mwisho na ambayo mshindi hawezi kupatikana kamwe?
KBC: Haki Miliki itapatikana pale wasanii watakapo funguka macho kuhusu biashara ya Muziki..TZ music industy set up needs to be restructured.Tunahitaji Music Business ya kweli.Msanii anahitaji kuwa na lawyer,Msanii anahitaji Kuwa na Contracts na Recording Labels..sio radio DJ’s.
Haki za msanii na makubaliano ya kibiashara yawe wazi kwenye Contract wakiwakilishwa na Lawyers wao.Kwa wale wasanii wakubwa wanaohitaji Meneja..inabidi wawaajiri..Msanii ni boss wa meneja wake sio vice Versa..
Record Label ndio zigharamie studio fees na promotion cost..we all know alot of money is generated in Entertainment industry,more Tax money for our serikali.Ingekuwa vizuri kama serikali ingesaidia kulinda haki miliki za wasanii hawa..Kwa kweli inabidi wanamuziki wa TZ waende na wakati..”2008 World SuperStars like Jay-Z,50 Cent,Shaggy,Akon,KC n JOJO,etc wanafanya shows Tanzania..na tunawalipa pesa nyingi tuu..Mamillioni!! kwanini hatuwezi kuwalipa wasanii wetu wenyewe??
KIWA: Mwisho ungependa kutoa ushauri gani kwa vijana ambao hivi leo wapo kwenye “game”?
KBC:Kuheshimiana,kushirikiana,kupeana support.Nimewahi kwenda show mbali mbali za wasanii wa siku hizi..ni vigumu kuwaona wasanii wenzao kuja ku support..kama kila msanii wa kizazi kipya atahudhuria show ya mwenzao basi wote watatengeneza chakula kizuri.
Nawashauri katika Fani yoyote ile..Bring your “A game”..work hard on it..give it 120%..wasitegemee misaada.Business is never personal.Wasanii wajielimishe,wasidanganyane na mafanikio ya hapa hapa nyumbani. Wajitayarishe kama kama wanariadha kabla ya Olympics.Wana jukumu la kuiwakilisha Tanzania kisanaa.Pia nawaomba wasanii wote wawashauri Wanaume Family(Ze Original) kurudiana…their shows were AMAZING!!Vile vile Kumshauri HASHIM “Dogo” kurudi kwenye Muziki..tunahitaji sauti yake..Hata Album moja tuu..He is the Best TZ HipHop artist thats never been heard by many.
KIWA.Asante kwa muda wako na tunakutakia kila la kheri katika kazi zako.
KBC: Yo! kiwa shukrani sana..its been REAL,Keep up the Good work with the Blogg..Here is a gift to All Kwanza Unit and Bongo Celebrity Fans.my song called “GRINDING”-KBC feat Fid-Q n RoZe PeTaL..Enjoy
KIWA: Ni wanamuziki gani nchini Tanzania hivi leo wanaokuvutia kutokana na kazi zao?Kwanini?
KBC:Unajua Muziki wa Vijana TZ umegawanyika,I have alot nitataja wachache..HASHIM a.k.a Dogo,FID Q,JUMA NATURE,SALU T,Professor JAY,J-Mo,MChiZi Mox,CHIDI BENZ,NAKO2NAKO,BaBUU,KURASSA,LANGA,BOB-Q na BK,..aaaah Man! kiwa I got many..LADY JAYDEE,NURUWELL,DAZ NUNDAZ,MASHARIKANZ,Giz MABOVU,Mjomba NASH..i can feel up a room kiwa let me stop..ha haaa
KIWA: Je mna mpango wowote wa kujumuika siku moja kama Kwanza Unit na kufanya japo onyesho moja na pamoja?Mawasiliano yenu yakoje?
KBC: Yeess!!Mpango huo upo na ulikuwepo..Tulitarajia kujumuika pamoja mwaka jana kwa Kishindo Kikubwa ile siku ya 08/08/08..Lakini Mikataba ya Kibiashara ikaingiliana..lakini yote Heri..Tegeni Macho na Masikio 2009!!..its gonna be BIG!!
KIWA: Matatizo ya haki miliki na wasanii kuibiwa kazi zao yamekuwepo toka enzi na enzi.Unadhani kwanini inakuwa ngumu kuyapatia ufumbuzi?Unadhani hiyo ni vita isiyo na mwisho na ambayo mshindi hawezi kupatikana kamwe?
KBC: Haki Miliki itapatikana pale wasanii watakapo funguka macho kuhusu biashara ya Muziki..TZ music industy set up needs to be restructured.Tunahitaji Music Business ya kweli.Msanii anahitaji kuwa na lawyer,Msanii anahitaji Kuwa na Contracts na Recording Labels..sio radio DJ’s.
Haki za msanii na makubaliano ya kibiashara yawe wazi kwenye Contract wakiwakilishwa na Lawyers wao.Kwa wale wasanii wakubwa wanaohitaji Meneja..inabidi wawaajiri..Msanii ni boss wa meneja wake sio vice Versa..
Record Label ndio zigharamie studio fees na promotion cost..we all know alot of money is generated in Entertainment industry,more Tax money for our serikali.Ingekuwa vizuri kama serikali ingesaidia kulinda haki miliki za wasanii hawa..Kwa kweli inabidi wanamuziki wa TZ waende na wakati..”2008 World SuperStars like Jay-Z,50 Cent,Shaggy,Akon,KC n JOJO,etc wanafanya shows Tanzania..na tunawalipa pesa nyingi tuu..Mamillioni!! kwanini hatuwezi kuwalipa wasanii wetu wenyewe??
KIWA: Mwisho ungependa kutoa ushauri gani kwa vijana ambao hivi leo wapo kwenye “game”?
KBC:Kuheshimiana,kushirikiana,kupeana support.Nimewahi kwenda show mbali mbali za wasanii wa siku hizi..ni vigumu kuwaona wasanii wenzao kuja ku support..kama kila msanii wa kizazi kipya atahudhuria show ya mwenzao basi wote watatengeneza chakula kizuri.
Nawashauri katika Fani yoyote ile..Bring your “A game”..work hard on it..give it 120%..wasitegemee misaada.Business is never personal.Wasanii wajielimishe,wasidanganyane na mafanikio ya hapa hapa nyumbani. Wajitayarishe kama kama wanariadha kabla ya Olympics.Wana jukumu la kuiwakilisha Tanzania kisanaa.Pia nawaomba wasanii wote wawashauri Wanaume Family(Ze Original) kurudiana…their shows were AMAZING!!Vile vile Kumshauri HASHIM “Dogo” kurudi kwenye Muziki..tunahitaji sauti yake..Hata Album moja tuu..He is the Best TZ HipHop artist thats never been heard by many.
KIWA.Asante kwa muda wako na tunakutakia kila la kheri katika kazi zako.
KBC: Yo! kiwa shukrani sana..its been REAL,Keep up the Good work with the Blogg..Here is a gift to All Kwanza Unit and Bongo Celebrity Fans.my song called “GRINDING”-KBC feat Fid-Q n RoZe PeTaL..Enjoy
Kama vp tegeni masikio kwenye radio zenu Mtasikiza ngoma hiyooo wajanja wanguuuuuuuuuuuu
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