BETTER known by his stage name Wevhu, Strive Machona Masiwa is slowly becoming a distinctive sound on Zimbabwe’s music scene.
From a young age, Wevhu has always had deep love and connection with music, which drove him to pursue in music.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, Wevhu revealed that growing up, he listened to Afro-jazz and local sounds which his grandparents played.
This later influenced his music writing skills and led to the birth of his incredible lyrical style.
From there on, he started releasing and performing his songs in small places.
“It was more than passion, it was my purpose,” he added.
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Wevhu revealed that he drew inspiration from artistes like Oliver 'Tuku' Mtukudzi, Hugh Masekela (both late) and Salif Keita.
“Their storytelling, humility and originality inspire me to stay true to who I am through my music,” he said.
He went on to reveal that real-life experience also has an impact on his music.
His music revolves around themes of struggles, love and beauty, drawing a lot from his African cultural roots and the sounds he grew up hearing.
Describing his creative process, Wevhu says he usually begins with a feeling or a story.
“Sometimes it’s a melody that hits me randomly or a guitar riff I play during quiet moments.
“From there, I build lyrics around emotion — something that connects with people’s hearts,” he said.
One of his favourite projects, he revealed, is a body of work that tells his own story by blending Afro-jazz and fusion — “every song feels like a piece of me shared with the world”.
Like many artistes, Wevhu encounters creative blocks, but has developed ways to overcome them.
“I take a step back. Sometimes you need to leave a little to create again.
“I listen to different artistes, spend time in nature or just play my guitar until inspiration returns naturally,” he explained.
To stay motivated, he reminds himself of his purpose — to tell stories that matter and inspire hope.
“Even when things get hard, I look at how far I’ve come and the people who believe in my music,” he said.
Wevhu vocalises his thoughts on criticism and discrimination, saying he takes it as part of growth.
He urged emerging artistes to be similarly grounded.
“Stay true to your sound and message. Don’t rush the process, grow, learn and keep your passion alive. The right people will feel your music when it’s real,” he added.
Looking ahead, Wevhu is working on new music and visuals that aim to dig deeper into ideas of love, identity and hope.
He intends to collaborate with like-minded artistes and dreams of a wider reach, envisioning himself performing on bigger stages, collaborating internationally and using his art to inspire and uplift others.
As Zimbabwe’s music landscape evolves, Wevhu’s blend of heritage, honest storytelling and melodic sensibility marks him as an artiste to watch — one who aims not only to entertain, but also to connect and heal.