Marcus Mafia is an award-winning Zimbabwean artist with multiple award nominations, real name Eugene Takavarasha aka the Zhetistar a nickname which I got for constantly being on the Hustle (Zheti Is the Shona slang word for Hustle). I am the C.E.O and founder of L3gacy empire a record label/ artist and events management, digital marketing and distribution company.
The company has housed and worked with artists like long-time partner Kikky Badass – Lady Sqaunda – Epixode (Ghana) – 2kingz ent -Selekta base – Dashocca – Briss Mbada -Fucci – DJ Carter – Blaq Diva Quin to name a few. I have an Advanced Diploma in Management and Culinary arts. A jack of all trades, I acquired most of his skills from my life journey which started as a self-taught dancer till I turned pro giving life to lot of the big dancers and dance crews to date under the name cyborg (xyborg) of the assassin squad. I have worked and shared the stage with the best dance crew at the time Pokemon, John Cole, Roki, Plot Mhako in the hip hop dance circles I’m known as an OG.
Later on I turned his talents to becoming a DJ and had a fast rise to the top of the game under a DJ Crew called the Boi Kartel ( which had DJ Ren- now manager at Pabloz , Boi Payne now one half of Afro pop crew Afrodizzey, Temba, bar owner of the Controse the biggest hip hop clothing shop in Zim and then DJ Carter who is a co- founder of Nzou Entertainment pushing the Zim hip hop genre.
Back then I was playing in all the top club in the city then went on to become an events and artist promoter after seeing the knowledge he had gained in the past will be needed in the future. I became a rapper by chance after feeling that most of my artists were banking too much on their talents to a point, they said to me, to paraphrase, that “you can’t sing so you can’t help us”. So, to prove a point it’s not all about talent I did a few hooks and one of them was Hatiterere, my debut song. One week after its release it had 2000 downloads followed by a big video the project got 6 nominations and got me a national hip hop status just like that. This rapping thing came with new set of problems such as production to prove my point I had no choice but to teach myself to produce and I am currently still learning. One thing I have come to realise over years in entertainment is you can only rely on yourself, but this can only happen with knowledge.
Where did your love for music come from?
Well it’s funny because as a kid I hated it. My dad, a hip-hop head always used to play hip hop music very loud and watched his hip-hop shows all the time. So, basically it was all hip hop at home (no movies unless hip-hop related etc). Around that time hip-hop was big in Zim, I remember my 7 leaver’s dance song was Nelly – Dilemma.
I think grade 7s in Zimbabwe do anything but hip hop at the moment. When we moved to Botswana it all changed as hip hop was not a thing yet in Botswana. I remember Kwaito B.O.P music that’s when I fell in love with the dance 1st then the genre. We moved back to Zim and guess the 1st movie my dad brought home to watch??? “You got served”. It changed my hate towards hip hop in fact l fell in love with it… I wanted to dance like that.
How would you describe your style of music?
It’s all based on strategic calculations of a specific production curve. ln other words if it does not add up its out !!!! plus influences of my lifestyle trapping I trap day in day out.
Who are your music heroes?
Vybz Kartel, Meek Mill, Soul Jah Love, Roki, Offset, Nipsey Hustle, Dave East, BirdMan, Diddy, 2PAC, B.I.G and 50 Cent.
What sets it’s apart from other record labels?
How we build artists. Our record label team uses the data generated by our distribution platform to discover, sign and build rising talent. When we find an artist we believe in, we offer them a record deal that includes strategic planning, marketing, financing, branding and PR.
Where in the world do you wish to perform one day?
I don’t have any place in mind to me anywhere i perform would be fine. I would be happy for the chance as long as I leave a mark!
What has been your favourite project to work on and why?
The L3gacy Empire and it should stand as my life’s work.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you so far?
Only rely on yourself but this can only happen with knowledge. Knowledge is power and with it comes a lot of responsibility.
What is the most important thing for you when creating a track?
Understanding purpose of each creation since we are about to give life to something. I don’t just create!! the power to create comes responsibility so discipline is key.
Which artists would you like to work with?
I don’t have a person that l would not want to give a chance to work with me coz that is one of the key reasons I’m Marcus Mafia to try and create with anyone from anywhere.
Which artists should we look out for in 2020?
I will drop the 2020 L3gacy Empire artist roster on this blog most definitely. I trust all my artists are to look out for in 2020.
Social media
Instagram: l3gacyempirezw
Instagram: marcusmafia
Twitter: marcusmafiazim
YouTube: marcusmafia
Snapchat: marcusmafia
Facebook: marcusmafia263
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