Intro-introducing “SS-T”, producer/recording artist .7:30
Apparel hooked up wit the super $tar for an exclusive interview but before we
jump into the interview lets take way back……………..
………………………………..
SS-T was born Shaun Munashe Nyagumbo on the 30th
of September 1991 as the first child and grand-child of the Nyagumbo clan.SS-T
lived in Harare for the beginning part of his life, this early life brought
memories, joys and heartaches that he talks about in his music, especially in
his long over-due mixtape (SS-T.A.R: The Mixtape Album) that he is currently working on. SS-T went on
to move to the mining town if Redcliff, that is located on the outskirts of
KweKwe in late 2000 with his pregnant mother. SS-T defines it as the turning
point in his life as this is where his love for music fertilised.
Upon moving to Redcliff, the first family he met was the
Njonga’s, whose children would go on to have the greatest influence his life
and music. SS-T enrolled at his third school, Camelot Primary School when he
was in fourth grade. It was here where he joined the school orchestra, and in a
short period he became lead-recorder player for the soprano section of the
orchestra and was awarded with an honorary recorder by an American music
teacher. SS-T also took part in Allied Art festivals where he won a few
certificates. But unfortunately due to financial constraints, the primary
section of the school closed down. SS-T then went to move to his fourth school,
Goldridge Primary School.
SS-T and Ashley Njonga went on to grow closer as friends and
years later in 2004/2005 they created what they called The Cashley Dynasty,
through the nickname that Ashley was given “Cashley Banks”due to his love for
flamboyancy. The Cashley Dynasty went to become a record label. Cash and SS-T
would spend hours rapping using Acid Pro 4.0 and Skype headphones. But tragedy
struck in 2006.Ashley “Mel Cashley Banks” Njonga was tragically killed in a
vehicle accident in the early morning of November 12, 2006. This shattered SS-T
as him and Cash had what he now terms “The Last Talk” on November 10, 2006 and
Cash said some touching things to him. SS-T went on to assume the reigns of The
Dynasty, but it proved too much of a huge task for him, the shoes were too big
to fill.
Meanwhile at school, SS-T enrolled back at Camelot School, at
their high school section in 2004, though he had to attend the prestigious
Falcon College. It’s at Camelot School where he subsequently got the name SS-T.
It started off as Star Shaun, the Star coming from his love of stars, his one
friend, Cornelius Smit started calling him Star, and thus he took on Star
Shaun, though he maintains that the “T” in his stage name will be a mystery
that will be revealed through his music.
SS-T then decided to take music seriously in 2008, after
writing music for fun, trying to revive the passion since his tragic loss. At
the same time SS-T became close with another of the Njonga children, this time
it would be their youngest daughter Anitah Njonga. Though initially they were
referred to as “cousins” due to their family bond, though in actual fact they
were not, SS-T developed an emotional attraction for the teenage beau. Anitah
and SS-T hooked up in late 2008 and their love for each other created a
beautiful daughter named Valerie Makanaka “Lil Star” Nyagumbo that SS-T
conceived at aged 17, she went to be born in England in 2010. The Valerie being
from SS-T’s late aunt’s name and Makanaka from the mother, and we all know
where “Lil Star” comes from.
SS-T continued on his musical path and he met 2 great
influences through their mutual friend, Dobson. SS-T met The Pemba Brothers,
McPherson “Dj MacClassic” Pemba and Lawrence “L.A.P” Pemba. Most of the
productions on SS-T’s mixtape are done by these two. They have helped SS-T as
an artist and also as a producer and maintain a good friendship. SS-T also
established a solid friendship with another producer Jae Mac, who ironically
learnt at Camelot’s rival school, but they are such good friends. SS-T will be
featuring his cousin Jennifer Mwashita, who does incredible vocals.
 |
| Jennifer Mwashita |
As
we move years down the timeline. SS-T is now looking at starting a record label
and is looking at going to the next level. SS-T loves music and business,
always looking to make a profit somewhere somehow.
Name
SS-T
How did the artist/band
get their name?
I got it in High
school; I had/have this obsession with stars. So my one friend called me Star
Shaun, i.e. the SS, but as for the T, that will remain a mystery.
Hometown
I was born in Gweru,
raised in Redcliff and Harare. I regard them latter two as my hometowns.
When
& why did u become interested in music?
I have always been
interested in music. I was lead soprano recorder player in Grade 4 for the
school orchestra and received Allied Arts accolades in primary school. I became
more serious about music in 2004/2005 though
So
far what has been the proudest moment of your career?
My proudest moment?
Wow, that’s a tough one. I will say it was producing a tribute instrumental for
the tragically deceased Yemurai Kanyangarara (may he shine in peace), I’m still
looking for the right quality of artist to perform on it.
If
you could collabo with anyone, who would it be and why?
As a recording
artist it would be Kirk Franklin he is a sensational Christian Rapper, I love
music and message, Keri Hilson she has a sensational voice, Cynthia Mare
arguably has the best Zimbabwean voice, would love to do a ballad with her,
Cindy: has powerful vocals. Jay-Z: he is the best rapper alive, Drake: his
versatility, he can rap and sing and I relate to his music in my life and iLL
Ceey he has hard bars as a rapper.
As a producer it
would be Dr Dre: Come on do you need to ask why? Scott Storch: he makes amazing
beats from Lean Back to Just A Lil Bit to Make It Rain, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League: I
love their beats too especially, arguably their best in my ears, Billionaire by
Rick Ross, Kanye West: He reminds me of me, in the sense that he is a
perfectionist with his instrumentals and his passion. I feel I share the same passion,
I put my soul in all my beats and T-Collar I applaud the way he has
diversified his production since his days with Zimbabwean Hip Hop crew Swagga
Boyz and Jae Mac I’m actually working on a collabo production with him at
present, he is my go-to guy when I need inspiration and a second opinion on my
beats. We challenge each other as industry compatriots.
Who
are your top musicians?
Locally/Regionally:
Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Winky D, Cynthia Mare, Cindy, iLL Ceey, TehN Diamond,
Q-Rigga, Decibal, Jozi, Zahara, Entity and Skwatta Kamp (when the last two were
still together).
Internationally:
Sade, Jay-Z, Drake, Keri Hilson, Kanye West, Adele, Jojo, Young Jeezy, Beyonce,
Leona Lewis, Rick Ross, Skylar Gray.
You
play any instruments
I used to play the recorder
haven’t done so in a minute though, changes in my lifestyle being the main
reason. I don't know how to play piano very well, but I can compose music on
one, confusing? I know.
Which
famous musicians have you learned from?
Diddy, 50 Cent, J.R
Rotem, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League.
What
can we expect from you in 10 years?
Well I'm in the
process of establishing a record label so expect a lot is the most I can
disclose at present.
Do
you perform in public describe those occasions
I have only performed once, at a university function. It was
exhilarating. At the time, I performed songs on my still-in-production mixtape
(SS-T.A.R: The Mix tape Album) and the way the audience was vibing with me by
the second chorus and was receptive to my music was just amazing, nothing
brighter than that.
How
do handle mistake during a performance?
I try not to make
mistakes, but when I do. I quickly twist up the lyrics and then try to bring
the song back on track ASAP.
Do
any of you get nervous during performances?
I always get
nervous, since I was younger. I would get terrible stage-fright, I used to give
speeches at every Prize-Giving event annually, but once I hit the stage and
have the crowd vibing with me, then I'm all stars.
What
advice would u give to new comers?
Be yourself. Music
doesn’t want the next Jay, next Jacko, next Whitney, Winky, Stunner, whoever.
They want the next you, something different and new.
How
do you balance your music with other obligations?
It’s hard, but I’m
putting more emphasis in my school work at present, then with music I'm mostly
focused on producing and that I only do when I'm inspired. I wish there were
more hours in a day considering that my mixtape is dropping this year.
Where
do you think your largest fan?
*If this refers to fan-base* then I believe it is UK and US,
according to my reverbnation page (www.reverbnation.com/starshaun30)
What
is the furthest show you have done from home?
Port Elizabeth,
South Africa.
What
has been the worst nightmare for you & how did you get through it?
At one point I
thought that my laptop had crashed and I hadn’t backed up all my data. I felt
like my stomach was scrunching up and dissolving, but it miraculously started
working again. Thank God.
If
you could categorize your music, what genre would you it best fit? (Name 2)
Hip Hop and Rap, that’s referring to my recorded music, but
I try and produce all genres of instrumentals, though I tend to focus on Hip
Hop and RnB.
Last
but not least what do think of 7:30 Apparel?
Hahaha!!! I’m
feeling it, a new Zim vibe. I like what y’all are doing, the clothing is good.
Hook me up with a shirt.
“Without music Expression of
feelings is limited.
Music is and has a way of
making you zone out of real life
I rap because that is the best way to express my feelings and understand
life.”
The Era of The Starz sparks up and shines on. Don’t dim out. *$hine on
Sight*. *$tarz Out*…*$S-T*
