Varaidzo

 

Sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know. And with the entertainment industry, that saying can definitely prove true,

Star Of The Month ­­^T­­M  was launched by 7:30 Apparel in 2012 with the aim to promote up and coming artist who are trying to get their content out there, Star Of The Month ­­^T­­M is great chance for artists to showcase their creativity.

7:30 recently had the pleasure of interviewing the gorgeous and beautiful up & coming song-stress Varaidzo ……..Read below to get to know her better

Name?

My name is Varaidzo....it’s such a coincidence because the English translation means because the English translation means entertainer which is what I do lol.

How did you get your name?

I got it from the midwife who helped my mom in labor

I was actually meant to be Tanya Vanessa lol.

When did your career in music start?

I have always been in love with since I was 8 but my first time in a studio was when I was 16.i have always been shy about my very powerful voice but now I realized it’s a gift and only a few people can do what I can do so I am happy.

Since my first time I have been trying to get connected and work with the right people who can embrace my voice and feel the energy and enthusiasm as much as I do. Im perfectionist and I like my things to be done the right way. I hate being compared to Beyonce which is what a lot of people do so try and create my own brand and trademark

“I hope to make it internationally and I will not stop until I get there”

From your songs which one is your favorite?

It’s really difficult to decide which one of my songs is my favorite because they all have some different special element to them but I think Ndakuwana is a good song. It did very well on the charts peaking at number 2 and staying in the chats for 14 weeks!! I also like “losing it” I think it has a lot of potential to reach the top.

If you could collabo with anyone, who would it be and why?

Locally, I would love to work with Tererayi Mugwadi, she has always been an inspiration since I was young and I love her voice!! She is a talented woman.

Intentionally, I would love to work with Beyonce because I have really studied her music and she is such a superwoman and like the rest of the women out there I think she is just phenomenal. She really set the bar high.

Can u sing lol?

Can I sing? Ha-ha well I think I am capable of producing sound that’s good for the ear lol. Well what my producers know is I hate auto tune. I want people to listen to my natural voice because it’s something special and I am proud of it.

What projects are you currently working on?

At the moment, I have my first video for my song “Ndikadai” which is about to be released. And I am working on new singles. I spend a lot of time working on new singles. I spend a lot of time in the studio because I’m still working on creating a sound unique to me and my name.(N.B. Nikadai was relesed before post was made)

Did you have a mentor for your career?

Honestly I have never been mentored. i learnt my skills from artists such as Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis and I learnt to imitate their styles and in the end I had the voice and the style I have.

So what part of h town did you grow up in?

I grew up in Msasa Park and Borrowdale. A lot of people think I have it easy with all the material things I have but people who really know me would tell u i have heart and I am very humble. I work hard to get what I have.

How do feel you differ from rest of the music industry?

I think my style of music is different from the music industry in Zimbabwe because it has its own different sound and my voice is unique by its own. I can’t say I am original yet but I’m getting there…

How do you balance your music with other obligations?

I am in South Africa for 8 months of the year and I am a law student at Rhodes University and that screams out for attention alone. My father taught me that no matter what, school comes first and with the music industry success is not guaranteed so I release and record songs when I am in Zimbabwe and when I am at school I try my best to promote it. My aim is to be respectable educated women love music but I also understand that I need to have that independence and that level of qualification. I mean,ss wouldn’t it sound nice 5 years from now when I will be saying “I am a qualified attorney and top music artist”. The idea is to be a good role model for young people who are too absorbed in the easy life and forget that there is so much more that can be achieved rather than depending on your parents or sitting around having fun. Education is important.

 

“I write from experience, I write from the heart because I feel that’s the key to producing a masterpiece as it creates a special connection with listener.”

So far what has been the proudest moment of your career?

The proudest moment so far is when “Ndakuwana” reached number 2 on radio.

That was just amazing. Sadly I never got to witness the moment as I was in south Africa.

What is the furthest show you have done from home?

I have performed at school…I had such a great response and I was happy

What has been the worst nightmare for you & how did you get through

My worst nightmare was when I lost my boyfriend. it had such a huge, negative impact on my life because he meant a lot to me. He was my best friend, my lover; we were really happy but I don’t know what happened. He betrayed me, broke my heart and sometimes I can’t believe that it’s really over. I am proud to speak f it becoz it’s a part of my life that has really changed me and it has taught me a lot of lessons and has made me realize my flaws and start working on becoming a better person. But linking it to my music it really made me get back in the studio with a lot of inspiration and I love my new songs. I always feel great when I write from experience because I want the listeners to have the connection with me.

 

“I am happily single and my previous relationship has given me inspiration to write new songs and I am very excited for that.”

If you could categorize your music, what genre would you it best fit?

My music is hard to categorize but I think its Rnb with a bit of the edge to it. lol

Finally what do you think of 7:30 Apparel?

I think 7:30 apparel is such a wonderful organization. i love that it highlights upcoming and I love its appeal especially to the youths.

           

AURA

There many definitions to poetry as there are poets. One has defined poetry as “the spontaneous over flow of powerful feeling. Emily Dikinson said, “If I read a book and it makes my body so cold no fire ever can warm me, I know that is poetry”……………..

Poetry is the chiseled marble of language; it’s a paint-spattered canvas, instead the poet uses words instead of paint, and the canvas is you. In a word poetry is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound, and rhythmic language choices so as to evoke an emotional response.

7:30 caught up with one of poetry’s valuable possessions, we are very pleased to present to you  our featured star of the month “Aura”

Tell us a little bout yourself who is Aura? How did you get your name?

Well I’m a women, daughter, fiancée, and friend to someone, I am also a performance poet, singer, jewelry designer, 2D animator, internet geek and a wannabe chef! Aura is actually my birth name (my parents are artistically inclined)

How long have you been writing poetry? When did you write your first poem? How old were you when you started?

I wrote my first poem when I was 12 and have been writing for just over 10 years.

Do you remember the first poem you wrote?

Not the very first poem but I found one I wrote when I was 13! It had an overdose of big words and was rather dark and enigmatic, LOL!

What inspires you to write a poem?

I can’t really say I’m inspired by one thing but I do find that I am not a topical poet, but rather , I am influenced by situations that happen around others or myself.

What is your definition of poetry?

Poetry is free expression, not just in words, but in all aspects of art.

How long does it take you to create a poem from thought to completion?

It really depends on the poem. Some take me less than 30 minutes whilst some I’ll start, hit a blank, then maybe finish it off a couple days, weeks or even months later.

Have you ever published your poetry or considered on publishing it?

My career as a poet is primarily built on performance foundation so for the longest time I never considered publishing! But it’s something I’m seriously looking into.

If you could collabo with anyone, who would it be and why?

JILL SCOTT! Because she is AWESOME  next question….

From your work which one is your favorite poem?

Hmm, that’s a tough one, but I’d have to say “plastic toys” (a.k.a. Boom Boom Pow)

How much thought do you put into your poetry?

A lot most often the writing process begins in thought before I get anywhere near a pen.

What projects are you currently working on?

I am currently working on my album “the auricle” which I am working on at the infamous Mt Olmpus (where Synik’s “SynCity” was born). And it is being produced by the legendary begotten Sun (Kudakwashe Musasiwa).

Do you get nervous during performances?

Yes! All the time, but that’s what gives me the adrenalin to push through.

What advice would u give to new comers?

Stay true to yourself, no one can do you better than you can

How do feel you differ from rest of the music industry?

What sets anyone apart from another is the amount of time and commitment you invest in your art.

So what part of H-town did you grow up in?

My family moved a lot. I grew up in Avondale, Greendale and Mt pleasant before moving to Gweru, Bulawayo, Johannesburg ten back home to H-town 4 years ago

So far what has been the proudest moment of your career?

When I was invited to perform at a UN conference in Joburg

What has been the worst nightmare for you & how did you get through it?

3 years ago when the recession hit Joburg I had to drop out of Uni and work to take care of my family. It was tough but prayer goes a long way.

 

courtesy of chocolate princess

If you could categorize your music, what genre would you it best fit?

Neo-soul-jazz-hiphop-kinda-sorta-ish LOL

Finally what do u think of 7:30 Apparel?

7:30 apparel is dope! I respect the hustle, we need more and more local labels and im glad 7:30 Apparel has joined the ranks!