In Conversation with: Shammah Musiq

Shammah Musiq is a father, son, brother, a lover not a fighter and a Zimbabwean RnB musician or I guess in this climate, Afro Pop although I don’t like to prescribe to that bracket.

Where did your love for music come from?

My love for music came from church started off playing drums, piano and eventually moved to production and song writing, working with Zim Praise, Pastor G, and Shingisai Suluma. The foundations were from church.

How would you describe your style of music?

I intend for my music to be heartfelt, sincere, honest and intimate but still with a vibe. The most important thing is to create a vibe, not so much to impress but to resonate.

Where does the inspiration for your songs come from?

My inspiration comes from the most random of places, cartoons, life situations, jokes, cooking shows. I get inspired by the most interesting things; my mind never switches off when it comes to music. Its somewhere in the background always listening to the birds outside, footsteps, I count my footsteps when I’m walking, my mind is always focused on music.

Which artists inspire you the most?

The people who inspire me are, Tank DeAngelo, Brian McKnight, Tuku, Ringo, Salif Keita and Babyface. The inspiration you have to break it down into categories, there are people that inspire me as a musician/instrumentalist, singer and from a production standpoint. When it comes to singers, it’s those people I mentioned.

Which artists have been your favourite to work with and which artists would you like to work in the future?

I haven’t worked with a lot of artist in Zim, I work with a guy called Victor Enlisted, we went to high school together. In high school I focused more on production, playing piano and song writing and he focused on singing. Somehow 10 years later our roles have switched, my first album had no features and I don’t see my second having any either.

I would like to work with Tina Masawi, Tamy, Ishan, Bryan K, Dj Tamuka a friend of mine representing Gweru. Adrian Tate, another good singer, basically anyone who can sing live. If you sound the same on the stage and in the studio so when we perform, we don’t embarrass ourselves. Trevor D as well, he’s a really good singer and a pioneer, I would like to work with him eventually.

What have been the highs and lows of your career so far?

My career is just starting so far, it’s all highs, every like, comment and share still means a lot. Every time I see someone has shared, liked, commented or their friends tell me about it feels good, its reassuring. I haven’t experienced any lows aside from the fact that its hard tapping into the mainstream market without having to sell your soul to a certain extend.

How was it like working on your debut project and how did the title track, Sisi come to be?

Working on my first record was fun and carefree environment, I was working with Victor, a lot of the songs were freestyles that we decided to put harmonies on and turn into songs. Some of them were songs I was writing for other artists that the artist didn’t end up taking or I decided to keep. Sisi was a proper freestyle, started as a joke, we had some people in the studio and I was teasing one of them because her boyfriend was there. That’s where the lyrics from that come from.

When can we expect new music from you?

You can expect new music before the year ends. I normally drop something on my birthday so towards end of October is probably when I will put a new record out.

How do you come up with the concepts for your cover songs?

This is always random, sometimes I’m in the club and I hear a song and I start slowing it down in my mind and imagining different ways it could go. Sometimes a song has a good lyric but musically it doesn’t resonate because the song is too loud or is too fast. Mubako, Special Meat all those were just from hearing them at a party and one or two drinks later, I was like hey this could sound like something else.

Who are the rocks in your life?

My family which includes my parents, cousins, my kid and my friends who count as family because we’ve been boys since preschool.

How are you keeping yourself busy and safe during the lockdown?

I’m keeping busy by watching a lot of shows, cooking shows, The Wire, I watched Avatar for the first time, good stuff. I will start Money Heist at some point when I find the motivation to watch entertainment and do homework at the same time. Mostly watching shows, eating and working on some music.

What’s the soundtrack to your life?

I don’t have one, when I write one, I will let you know.

What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

Be you, it’s that simple. Those who accept will accept it and those who won’t, won’t.  Be you because at the end of the day there’s only one you. Although you aren’t for everybody you are definitely for somebody.

How would you like to be remembered?

Somebody who cared about the art, I care about music as an art form it’s not for fame or attention, it’s just that I value the art side of music and the craft, that’s why I put so much time into it.

Social media

Instagram: ShammahMusiq

Twitter: Shammamusiq

SoundCloud: ShammahMusiq