Da Kid Verse is a Blantyre born and Harare raised artist, son, brother, father, lover and a good friend.
How did get into music and what made you choose Hip Hop?
I was in the junior choir in primary school in fourth grade and later senior choir in sixth grade. It was during these years that I fell in love with music in general. As far as Hip Hop is concerned I started off mostly because it was cool, the fashion was fire especially the sneakers and jeans. I would perform songs by US rappers at talent shows and it was in form one or so when I started putting together my own rhymes and I got hooked.
How did you get to be a presenter and actor?
Honestly, I don’t even really know. As far as acting goes I was given an opportunity by a legend of the Hip Hop Industry in Zimbabwe, rapper turned radio personality Tendai Zonde aka Prometheus. It was for a feature in a drama series he was working on and since then I found myself going from one audition to the next and getting roles in the process. The radio gig thing has always been a thing I was going to pursue because I am a journo and radio has always been one of the reasons I studied journalism in the first place.
Who are your role models in life and your career?
In life it is my mother she been the soldier in my life as far my career goes it has to be Leonard Mapfumo and ExQ.
What are the most important tools one should have as an artist/presenter?
Be a good listener and be ready to take advice from whoever you are working with, also open your mind to learning new things.
Where do you get the inspiration for your music?
The people and my everyday struggles and triumphs. I am a storyteller most of the music I make is inspired by what is around me and what I go through or what I see around me on a daily whether it’s walking past Copa Cabbana or Ximex Mall or a typical day with hommies in the neighbourhood.
What have been the highlights of your life so far?
The birth of my son Joel that has been on top of everything and getting nominated for the Zim Hip Hop Awards for the first time in 2016.
What is your future vision for your music?
Of late I have been trying to shift away from making 100% hip hop songs by tapping into other genres such as Afro pop and Reggae etc. While maintaining that Hip Hop element and I recently released a song with Nigerian rapper Lil Dizzie in time for Valentines. With that said I just want to make music that is not limited to a specific group of society. I want to touch everyone with the music and change lives for the better.
Describe a typical day in your life.
Waking up and preparing my son for school and dropping him off then to the studio most of the time either to record or to do a photo shoot for my clients.
What is the soundtrack to your life?
Any Bob Marley song but if I am to pick one it would have to be One Love.
Who have been your favourite artists to work with?
It has to be between my current main producer Blaq Boi Tha Dan, Nyasha Timbe and AnonziXndr .
Which artists would you like to work with and why?
I would love to work with the likes of Aleck Macheso, Willom Tight and Jays Marabhini, the elders of our industry because I feel they have so much to teach the younger generation. The history and knowledge those guys carry is priceless I would love to learn from them given the chance .
What are you most proud of about being Zimbabwean?
The people bro the people we have been through so much and yet we still smile and still welcome people from across the world into our country and our homes even those who have done us wrong. We are a forgiving people!
What is the best advice that anyone has ever given you?
Listen to your heart and take every criticism as a piece of advice – Ms Gladys #MyMom.
How would you like to be remembered?
As a hero to
every African child with a dream who proved that there is no shame in dream chasing
especially at a time when it is not paying bills.
Social media
Twitter @dakid_verse
Instagram @dakidverse_zikutsotsi
