South Africa-based Zimbabwean producer and dancehall musician Buffalo Souljah, real name Thabani Ndlovu, has urged Zimbabweans to support local artists and help build a positive image of the country’s music internationally.
Ndlovu, also popularly known as Buff, said Zimbabwe was a country which does not support its own talent enough.
“It’s funny how people in Zimbabwe prefer to purchase American, Nigerian and South African music albums instead of purchasing their own local music which has lyrics specifically penned for them,” said Buffalo Souljah.
He said countries marketed their arts products internationally by supporting their own artists and creating attractive hype on the international arts radar.
“Nigerians are successful because of the hype that is built in their country. They support their music and get other countries interested in their music,” said Buffalo Souljah.
He said Zimbabweans were too selective in their musical tastes, which gave upcoming musicians a tough time because attention would always be on a few chosen ones.
He gave his Zimbabwean story as an example, saying he recorded three albums which hardly received airplay.
“I never got support when I was in Zimbabwe, I had to beg for airplay as the DJs back in 1996 made it fashionable to promote American music,” he said.
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The musician added that he was disappointed when he won the Channel O Best Newcomer Award in 2008 as his achievement was celebrated more in Nigeria than in Zimbabwe.
Buffalo Souljah’s statement was echoed by his friend and mentor, South Africa-based Nigerian DJ Waxxy, who said Nigerians were successful because they had respect for their music.
Buffalo Souljah is currently focusing on his record label, United Nations of Africa (UNA) and a new mixtape titled Force It ’Pon Dem.
The mixtape, which will be released this month, has twenty tracks. The dancehall musician said he used his deejaying experience to come up with good products.
He further thanked Prince Tendai Mupfurutsa, who recorded his first track before he left for South Africa, for inspiring him.
Artists who have signed under the UNA label include Zimbabwe’s Queen Vanessa who has already recorded three videos under the label.
