I had a question and answer session with Kuda Musasiwa a.k.a. Begotten Sun, the man behind the production of Synik’s ‘SynCity’, the most anticipated Zim Hip Hop album of our time.
He says his first production was on a Yamaha PSR 400 in around 1988 in Australia. He was a kid then and he recorded his piece onto a little Sony tape Walk Man. With inspiration from his dad, he ‘inherited’ the art.
But that was a long time ago. The purpose of this article was to focus on his work now. Like a proud Zimbo and African, Begotten Sun is inspired by the Mbira Dzevadzimu. Mbira is a traditional ‘thumb piano’. Mbira is real and presents the Shona culture in an amazing sound. Because we are in the 21st century, he has decided to add the mbira to modern rhythm. Its not only the mbira that hes adopted into his music. He also has a love for the African drum, ngoma, making room for diversity.
A producer who has a distinct sound and brings out amazing rhythm, inspired by Africa is one who every serious artist wants to be associated with. Locally Begotten Sun has worked with Synik, Metaphysics, Tehn Diamond, Jnr Brown, Aura, Karizma, mUnetsi, Mc Chita and a whole lot more. His genius spread across the borders as he worked with Tumi , Zubz, DKR just to mention a few. If you can notice all the artists mentioned above are acknowledged both locally and across the borders. Most recently Synik’s ‘Syncity’ got reviewed by The Guardian UK newspaper. *a big congratulations to Synik* All of this was achieved by the touch of the master of traditional and modern sound, with Syniks amazing talent too!! It turns out being original and sticking to your roots pays. Yes, it has finacially given returns to the man and credit as well. A lesson to everybody is that where there is sweat , originality and effort there are cheques and recognition.
There is one thing that i always wonder if music producers think about, the issue of using live instrumentation. In this age of technological advancement and amazing music production software,most artists and producers have shun live instruments. Begotten Sun believes that if manipulated right, these softwares can actually replace live instruments but still bring out our African sound.
Another issue bothering me was how this generation can accept traditional sound. The answer was simple. Begotten Sun says if we blend both the old (traditional) and the modern, its easier for ‘kids’ to get it and gradually accept it. This is evident in most Synik songs (NB – Im using the Synik album because it is what most Zimbabweans are familiar with these days). Synik is a rapper. Young people love rap. So when a rapper introduces traditional sound, he is exposing his listeners to both rap and African sound. With time, people will come to accepting it.
Asked if he believes one day Zimbabwe is going to have a distinct sound that will be classified as our identity sound, Begotten Sun gave me a very interesting yet simple response. He says it all lies in Zimbabweans adopting a certain sound, nurturing it and eventually mastering it and maybe make it stand out in the world. A lot of countries world wide have a certain sound they are recognised with, for example India, China, South Africa , Spain, Puerto Rico to mention just a few. It takes all of us to stand out, defending our tradition, taking it up and not letting it die. We need a certain identification sound. Its up to every artist to make this dream happen.
Anyway if you are looking for depth, African identity and world class music production, the man to connect with is Begotten Sun. We’ve seen the projects hes put his hand to go places. Its all in the originality. Be original and see if you fail. The moment you inherit someone else’s stlye, it becomes difficult for you to get recognition. For productions, advice or to just connect with Begotten Sun, send email on kudamusasiwa@gmail.com or follow him on twitter @begottensun .
Bars 263 and Begotten Sun would like to encourage everyone to stay true to their roots, be original and reach greater heights, exhausting all opportunities. Be blessed!!
Bars 263 