Young Zimbabwean artist Tanaka Siziba
Tanaka Siziba is a 28-year-old Zimbabwean musician. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, he moved to the UK with his family as a teenager. He is the second born child in his family. Tanaka entered the music scene by storm in 2020 with his first single Dhonza which featured Kazz Khalif. The track is a fusion of summer vibes, mixed with afro beats and the sweetest melodies that will keep replaying in your head.
Now Tanaka is back with a new record, #GiveMeLove an upbeat afrobeat record which will have you singing along too. Tanaka has been working closely with artists like Sonni Balli and Kazz Khalif, Jusa Dementor, Baba Harare & Bailey Brown.
Where did your love for music come from?
My love for music came from my grandmother. We always went to see her on school holidays and then one time she made us sing. She gave me a compliment and I remember thinking to myself “When I go back to school, I’m going to take the free singing lessons from Mr Phiri so I can be even better for her next time”.
How would you describe your style of music?
This is personally a difficult one to answer. I grew up listening to so many different genres that influenced me. I like singing/writing in Shona it feels more personal to me. Sometimes I write/sing in English which is good because the market is bigger. If I had to choose, I’d say right now I’m in love with afrobeats, amapiano and rnb and when I say rnb I mean the likes of Usher, Neyo, Chris Brown among so many other dope artists I left out, that’s the rnb vibe I like. When it was normal to pour your heart out and tell someone how you felt. I guess it was the best for me because these songs helped me express how I was truly feeling.
Who are your music influences?
I have 6 main people I look at when it comes to where I would like to be:
Jay-Z – Purely for the longevity he has had and at the same time sustained a really good quality standard in every aspect of his music.
Nipsey Hustle – I hate that he’s gone but, in the time, he was here, he did a lot for his community. When I saw him from the outside in, everything about he screamed “a guy from the hood”, but when started speaking all I could her was intellect. R.I.P
Davido – He has come far as an African Musician.
WizKid – To me he created a certain sound that only he can master and that is unique.
Jah Prayzah – A fellow Zimbabwean artist that has reached a certain stage in his career that is unbelievable.
Winky D – To me he is the Don Dada of Zimbabwean Music. There’s something about artists mastering their sounds that makes me more interested in the artist. He is one of the artists that captured my attention through his musical genius. I think he will be in the music game for as long as he wants because when you look at what he has as a package, not a lot in Zimbabwe can offer more.
What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?
More music, I’m working a lot with Kazz, Sammy Beats, Mantra, Scott Whitman, Bailey Brown and many other artists and creatives. We are constantly cooking. At this point it’s about releasing a lot of music consistently to stay relevant and when the time comes Mixtape then Album. It will all happen in due time.
What would you like people to take away from listening to your music?
Live your life and have fun while you can. Plan for your future and LIVE in the present. No-one knows why you are in this world but GOD. And the only clue he has given you to find out is your desires.
For someone new to your music, which 2 songs would you recommend they start with?
Dhonza and Roko such vibes, enjoy…
What have been your highs and lows of life as an artist so far?
I’d say working on my first track Dhonza, it was a fun process from building the track from the ground up.
I’d say a low was when I was supposed to perform at the big stage at Zimfest but I didn’t get to in the end. That showed me how ruthless the music industry can be. You push on though the main thing is to increase my value and keep pushing. There will be other opportunities at some point I just have to stay ready.
What is the soundtrack to your life?
I have so many that reflect who I am as a person but, number one will have to be Oliver Mtukudzi’s Hazvireve. Firstly, what a legend. I think this song is perfect, I grew up on it and loved it for most of my life.
Who have been your favourite artists to work with so far?
Sammy J, Kazz, Bailey, Lebbz, MANTRA, Eli Shot em, and Sonni Balli, too many to list them all.
What are the top 5 songs in your playlist right now?
Blessed – Wizkid
LADIPOE – Feeling (feat Buju)
Da Beatfreakz x RAYE x Russ Millions x wewantwraiths – Money Calling
Tanaka Siziba – Summer Yauya (Official Video) Prod by Jusa)
Nutty O – Handipere Power
Social Media
Instagram: Tanaka Siziba Music
Music is available on Spotify, Apple and all digital platforms just search for Tanaka Siziba
How would you like to be remembered?
As a man who left everything, he touched a little bit better.
Thank you for reading Tanaka’s interview, be sure to browse the blog for more interviews.
