December 17, 2023 • 42 mins
Of course, as Barbies- we have to find our Ken! 💝
This artist’s music manages to do just that- convey a deep connection and love; from hits such as “Muroora”, “Chargie”, “Premiere” and “Love Story Part 2”- Hillzy truly sings from the heart. Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to sit down with Hilary ‘Hillzy’ Chipunza and got to know a little more about the man “in the building”. His early beginnings; what most people won’t know about him; his love for music; his musical inspiration; the journey to being the Hillzy we know today; and what makes him shy - we delve into it all! This candid conversation is a must listen to for getting to know Hillzy - a leading Contemporary Urban Music artist.
Enjoy this bonus episode!
Keep Up With Hilary ‘Hillzy’ Chipunza
Facebook: @hillzy911
Instagram: @hillzy911
X (AKA Twitter): @hillzy911
Listen to Hillzy on Spotify
Listen to Hillzy on Apple Music
Watch Hillzy’s Music Videos on YouTube
Listen to Hillzy’s BBC Africa Interview
We'd love to hear from you!
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
I'm always always, sir.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Be careful.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Love those umboo.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Let We'll use your head. They will tear you up.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Lack a purple talk. Oh no, no, no, yeah, yeah yeah yeah,
oh no no no.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Hi. I'm Amanda and I'm Rumby. Welcome to its lay It.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
We're in a long distance friendship that started over twenty
years ago when we were in high school.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
We'll be talking about all things life, love, family, anything
and everything else under the sun.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Delve deeper with us because in life, you know my layers.
Oh no, no, no, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah. Hello everybody, and
welcome to a brand new episode of its Layered podcast.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Today.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
We are very excited. We've got a special guest in
the build and we're gonna tell you a little bit
more about them. So we've got Hilsey born Hilary Chipunza
is one of Zimbabwean's most promising and exciting upcoming contemporary
urban musicians who has already built a dedicated following across
(01:35):
the globe using his unique voice, poignant lyrics and captivating
vulnerability that's for sure. In twenty seventeen, Hilsey had a
breakout year when he released Murora, an Impassion and stripped
down love ballad that dominated radio and streaming platforms todate.
The song is known as one of Zimbabwe's quintessential wedding songs.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
After releasing his commercially acclaimed Sicana EP, which we loved
and which we shouted out on this podcast featuring chat
topping collaborations with Shasha and Jimmy Griffiths, Hilsey continued to
tour and perform within and out of Zimbabwe. After the
success of Tisicana. Hilsey has now just released his latest EP,
(02:18):
in the Building. Welcome to it Laid Podcast. Hilsey, you're
in the building and our is laid podcast Building.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
We're great, Thank you so much for being here.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
You have say it's hell in the building.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
If anything el say in the building, that's you know
tagline anytime you sung the song. Yeah, we're so stoked
to have you as fans of your music and your work,
ethic and everything you're currently up to. Anyone who knows
the in the building the anthem for us. I think
(02:54):
Amanda and I were talking about it earlier before we
started recording. Narrow is our anthem for the people.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Jes listen to it.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
So before we get all into you know the music
and all that. We just wanted to say, Hilsey, who
is Hilsy? How would you describe yourself or how would
those closest to you describe you?
Speaker 1 (03:27):
So Hill was he's an artist during the night, I
would say, in a producer, and then during the day,
I am an iOS developer. Sorry, I make apps for
like iPhones. That's that's what I did, like for school.
I'm also into a little bit of farming. I help
my parents there out there farm. But yeah, essentially that's me.
(03:48):
The closest to me actually call me mister Massin. So
if you ever hear anything that says this is a
mister Massine production, I actually composed. So yeah, that's that's
pretty much who he is. I'm ah, it's kind of busy.
If I'm not at the farm, I'm here like recording,
or if I'm not here then you know, I'm on
(04:09):
my computer making apps. But yeah, that's that's really about me.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Wow, talk about faceated in all ways, Like, yeah, I
studied computer engineering at u ce T, if I'm not mistaken.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
Yeah, yeah, we saw the reference to long streets like yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
But yeah, I was I was at uc T and
that's when pretty much like the whole hills my career started,
I would say, because I was fresh out of high school,
I went to send Faith it's a mission screen recabbict
uh and most of the time it was just like
corel stuff, you know, like choir Stretcher Union. And I
always had a dream of, like, you know, I want
to buy myself like a microphone. So I pretty much
(04:56):
bought like the you know, your modern day podcasters set
up like a young my condenser. And then I started
just watching YouTube videos. So it's like it's either I'm
in lectures or you know, like I'm playing around with
the computer. So by the time twenty seventeen, I was
actually I actually I was graduating years. So that's when
I came up with Mura. And yeah, ever since, like
(05:18):
pretty much people you know started recognizing me for like
the music kind of thing. But yeah, that's wonderful.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Shout out to the suspect.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
That's where my mom's from.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
What I do, what I do. How would you describe
your own journey to music?
Speaker 3 (05:35):
I mean, you spoke about being in recapent honing, but
since when Murroa came out to now, what has that
journey been.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Like, Yo, it's been a roller coaster because what's crazy
is what people are seeing now is what I was
seeing myself in twenty sixteen. So it's like I've been
trying to paint this picture.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
You know.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
It's like, Yo, I'm this guy. You know, this is
what I'm trying to do or where I'm trying to
be at. So if anything, it's it has been such
a rollercuster because sometimes you feel like, okay, fine, some
people get it, but for the most of it, people
you know, don't really get or they're not really seeing
the vision. So it's it really has had its ups
(06:20):
and downs. But I'm just so grateful that, you know,
in life, any form of like success comes with like consistency.
There's no one who is successful in life who's not consistent.
So I'm just grateful I was consistent through and through,
you know, and I can't really say I've made much
or I've made much here. This is really like the beginning.
(06:42):
But a lot of people give up when they don't,
you know, get something in return. So I'm just grateful
that for me, it was like Jim, you know, you
do it like every day. It's like food, Yeah, you
eat food every day, So I'm just at the consistency
pretty much, you know, helped me. But you know, I cannot,
I honestly can not like describe all the feelings like
in one way or I can just say it's in
(07:03):
a road and coster, you know. Yeah, but yeah, yeah,
and I'm truly grateful for the journey.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Yeah yeah, that's really really dope, And I think it
seems to be a thing that I keep hearing more
and most like, if you want to do something, you've
got to be consistent.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Even when people don't.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
See the vision or where you're headed. How was it
like in terms of your family and friends, were they
supported from jump or how did that dynamic work out
for you in wanting to do music?
Speaker 1 (07:31):
So from a friend's perspective, I think my friends already
knew that. Like I was a music head, used to
know like all the latest songs that were out, you know,
like and then when I slowly recorded my first first song,
I think it was like FOLM full back, you know,
like after writing exams, everyone wants to do something, and
I was like, I'm going to record my best single.
So people pretty much were like, now we're rooting for you.
(07:52):
But at a whole. Obviously, it was something that's so
foreign because like my dad is a doctor with a provasion,
and he was just like, not the books.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
My bands.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
And I beg in the day. In the day, like
he used to say, I could buy you any kind
of textbook, no matter how expensive it is, as opposed
to buy and you like, say like a PlayStation. You know,
That's that's how hard he was like with education. So
to me, it was like, okay, fine, I'll do this.
I'll do the education side of things, and then later
(08:28):
on I'll get to do what I you know, what
I want. So after a levels, that's when I was like,
I even he wanted me to go and study medicine
and use it. But at the back of my head,
I was like, nah, if I stay close to him,
I feel like I'm not going to expand you know
in terms of like music or just be myself and
find myself. So that's how I thought, to, you know,
(08:49):
go study computer science Cape Town. And that's when I,
you know, essentially like built everything up so here and
there they would hear. People would be.
Speaker 6 (08:57):
Like I want to ask, and I just brushed it off,
just brushed it over. I'm like my dad will be
like what it is and I'm like a oldes you know,
you're just so it was really hard until I think
(09:19):
I released a mine.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
So when I released her, my came back to ZIM
for a holiday and then a lot of like you're
like you sounding so sweet or whatever, and then my
mom hadn't actually listened to the song, and she listened
to it. She cried. She literally cried, and I was
just like, Okay, maybe you might be onto something. So
my mom was lokly tolerating at that point. And then
(09:42):
I'll say after and now mura, I actually I have
my dad in the music video. My mom as well,
so they knew I was doing it like low key.
But one day I just ended up picking up the
core and I'm like, yo, I'm doing this music video
and can you please come there with the farm. They're
like okay, to do giars thin and I'm like yes,
(10:03):
it's just it's just come through. So I think that's when,
And that was twentish seventeen when they also knew I
was graduating, So I think that's when I got like
the official stem from my from my parents, but everyone
else was upproving. But ever since then when I also
got that low key parents or blessing. You know, that's
when the music also really started, like you know, doing
(10:24):
around and so now now and then I'm being like
earrands with my mom. People are just like hey, I'm chatting,
you know, like every day. She's also like, yeah, I
greet them back, you know.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Shout out to your parents real.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
For sure. We've spoken about this in other episodes, right, Amanda,
about parents and like how it's I think it's really
hard for especially African parents to grasp that we have
dreams different to what they thought should be our dreams.
You know, it's it's changed. Yeah, you know, I would.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
I saw this on Twitter one day where like, you know,
girls are just sharing the experiences, say when they got
pregnant versus like let's say they were not married, and
then to a point where now like then versus now,
and then it's like the parents are so inseparable with
their grandchildren. They were so you know. But so I
(11:29):
feel like it was the same with my journey because
now when I'm out and I'm with my dad, he
is like, okay, I'm doctor Shipunza and then all of
a sudden goes rooms here but at first, but at
first amount of friction that was there, you know, So
I to add on to that, it's a hundred percent.
(11:51):
I think our parents have like the best for us,
and sometimes the best for us is and what they
really envision the vision.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Yeah, yeah, so you've just pretty much answered what I
was gonna ask you next.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
What has it taken for you to make it this far?
Speaker 3 (12:06):
And you know, it sounds like with parents obviously there
was that journey as you just described, But what do
you think personally you've had to sacrifice to make it
this fansim Babblian music scene.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
I think I've sacrificed a lot of time. I don't
really I'm not really outgoing. So the music is out there,
but it's for me. It's either like I'm in the
studio or you know, I'm working on something else or
even like so, I think another thing that attributes to
my life being busy is I'm an only child. So
you can imagine being an only child and your parents,
(12:39):
don't you They're scared you might you know, not make
it in school or like in the music scene as well.
So the pressure has always been like at the back
of my head and also like just showing a culture.
You know, people are just like being persantly like nah,
you're the only one you need to fight, you know,
that kind of thing. So I think I've really sacrificed
like a lot of time, like in the like in
(13:00):
the music, like you're saying when you say like quality.
So I think what differs, what differentiates me from other
artists is I think a lot of people have like
say seven people working on their music, Like they go
and recorded someone studio and then someone mixes it and
masters it. For me, it's like everything like beats I record,
you know, I pretty much do everything in house, which
(13:21):
has helped me as well because it's like it has
maintained the vibes and the ethic as well. But I'm
also getting to a point where I also want people
who share the same vision, who are also as hardworking
as I am, you know, pretty much like help me
out with the work. So I do have like a
few friends like a beatsmith we were also together, ucity,
(13:44):
but you also make some of my beats and you
master some of my stuff. I also trust him, So
I would say I think the journey is really just
you know, I've sacrificed so much time, even sometimes when
friends are like yo, he was in Google you know
December from Disember.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
No, you know, you know, like.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
But yeah, I think that's for me. That's like the
biggest sacrifice.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Yeah, but you know what, it's so commendable, Hillsy. You
are honing your craft. Yes, you are knowing your music
through and through and you can't you know, people say
it takes what ten thousand hours? What is it to
because you are literally putting that work and that time.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
In and it shows.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
It's evident, you know, So don't knock yourself, can descend,
can wait?
Speaker 4 (14:39):
You know, and you can hear it.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
And we were talking about how we can listen to
your music top to bottom, like we listen body of
works are a body of work that you can just
listen to, and not even the biggest artists out there
are like, not many are able to pull that off, Charanty,
you know. And also it definitely definitely shows. And you've
(15:04):
also collaborated with some heavy weights, you know, Shasha Gemma,
friend of the podcast and recently been featured on BBC Africa. Firstly,
I would like to know who are your musical inspirations
and then what is your dream collaboration if you were
able to.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
To say okay, so by So, I listened to a
lot of Chris Brown. I listened to hip hop. Let's
just say hip hop. So two thousand and eight hours
in form damn. That's that's a long time ago. I
was in porn four yearn for and the crazy was
just you know, Chris Brown and a Beyonce you know,
(15:46):
Rick Cross. That that year of music for me. I
think I still think that that's like the epic sound,
you know, like I feel like all these other like
songs that are coming out now are just really rooting
from that year. So a lot of Chris Brown, a
lot of Drake low Wayne sometimes when it comes to
just like writing, you know, like saying you know, smart things.
(16:08):
But mostly right now because Drake and Chris Brown are
still releasing, I listen to them. Then, Like in Africa,
I listened to Blackie, I listened to Nasty See, and
then locally I listened to like underground artists. I listened
to Young mccannie. I listened to another kid called Simdom.
But if you literally just listen to the whole catalog, yeah,
(16:28):
that's pretty much where I get, Like my sound in
my inspiration from. But back in the day when I
was growing up, my mom used to listen to a
lot of Two Group and a lot of Ciboma Cabani.
So there's also like a lot of gospel that's that
is bagged, you know, like my music as well. So
it's a bunch. But now I'd say for me, it's
(16:49):
Drake and Chris Brown, and the goal honestly is to, yeah,
I just have a song with Chris Brown. I don't know.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Yeah, well, Chris be loving as Africa's I will say,
we can manefest that for you.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
It's gonna ask manifest for sure, for sure.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
And I also when I when I've been recording or
like composing, my aim has always been to like I
remember as far as like I was in high scrub,
like how do I make my song or my voice
sound you know, like this urban song it wasn't really
about you know, I'm a rapper and I'm gonna make
it beyond that. It was like the quality you guys
(17:31):
are speaking of, Like I'm so I would rather sing
crap and having like thequality I want someone to like say,
playing American song and then if they press next it
needs to be seamless with you know, like with my
song Heal this song. So that's what I've been pushing for,
like you know, beyond like just the message. So yeah,
(17:53):
those guys or say just La inspires me a lot,
like in terms of like music, because I just think
that's that's like the end again. So yeah, hopefully I'll
beat there. I mean, right now I'm speaking to Chris
Brown's producer. He's actually been sending me beats, so we're working,
but it's almost like I'm just one person away, and
I just hope like to be like, hey, I see you.
(18:16):
But yeah, it's only a matter of time and and
I honestly just trust the process. I'm just going to
keep doing me because that's what I've been doing, you know.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
So yeah, the key I think that is seriously the key.
Do you do you enjoy touring, playing at live shows,
meeting your fans. I know you said you like to
keep yourself, but I'm sure when it comes to your
music you do enjoy out there.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
I'm being like, I'm such I'm such an introvert, right,
And what's wild is when you meet someone you don't
you don't know where the you specifically is coming from
which song and what message do they like, what do
(19:02):
they perceive you as like in that moment in time.
So it's a bunch of reactions from a bunch of people,
all at the same time. So sometimes I get I hell,
get overwholm because I'm also that kind of a person
who if I get to a place, I want to
speak to everyone. If someone says quite neany quite mean,
I want to be there. But you're like, man, I
(19:24):
honestly can't be there for you know, all of you guys.
So yeah, but the moments that I cherish the most
are so sometimes like I said, I'm into farming. I
help my parents, so sometimes don't want to know my industry.
You know, two more in Downtown getting like my parts
and then you were like, you know, like one of
the ones. I love those because like we can have
(19:46):
a full orverisation without people disturbing or when it shows
it's a different thing all together. I do love the
you know, the tension or at least like the feedback.
You know, people are happy because you're seeing you're doing something,
So yeah, I love that. But yeah, and then yeah,
(20:10):
I just need to do what I do on stage leander,
but once once I get on stage as well, you know,
when you just have something kicking, it's like diving into water.
At first, you know, could dive and then all of
a sudden, once you dive, you're in there. So that's
what always happens. I'm so nervous before I get on stage.
I'm like, any go over, you know, like the nerve
(20:32):
pone just goes, or if people just start wearing bottles, you.
Speaker 4 (20:42):
Know, but nerves and nerves are good. People say nerves
are good.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
Nerves show you care, so it's it's it's good. It's
a good thing, and buse you hone them and still,
you know, do your show.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Yeah, okay, it's And I think one thing also that
I forgot to mention was so most of these things,
or the music, I was in Cape Town because I
have more of an online presence than a public you know, presence.
So when I got back to ZIM, it was also
like so different because in Cape Town, I was just
(21:15):
like a normal you know, developer, wake up, do it.
But you know it's so different. You know, I can't
do that anymore. And I so it's I I've definitely adjusted,
but I'm not yet there you know where I can
be like, ah, this is me, you know, because all
the time it's it's going to be someone And I
(21:36):
love it because people share their personal stories. So some
of them like you use I'm a fan actually so
yeah as a proposer or so yeah, you know, it's
it's those old gems that then help me and be
like ah, if I get back in the studio, I'm like,
I know who I'm doing this for. Beyond me, it's
someone also the people that I inspire in like different ways.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Yeah, that's a perfect segue because then I wanted to
ask you what you want those who listen to your
music to ganer most from listening to your music? So
what do you want people to receive from it? Seems
like you're making your music, you know your audience, you
know who you're making it for. What do you want
them to take away when they listen to your music?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
But that's that's that's a deeper question to.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Be Yeah, we dont deeper.
Speaker 4 (22:23):
Yeah yeah there.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
Well, So for me, I just want people to know
that there's a real and authentic music or like authentic connections.
You can genuinely connect with people through music because there
are people who like, let's say, so Jakari. So, I
don't know if you guys know about Jakari, but Jakari
is like g Isy's producer is actually yes, so he's
(22:54):
the one I did with. He moved on from La.
He's not staying in younger but he yeah, literally is
like you. I want to work with you. And I
learned so much from him. And one of the things,
at least what he said to me is like your
music has so you know, like it is so as
in you. You listen to a song and like and
(23:15):
you want to be like, ha, who's this person? Or
you want to know more about that person. It's like
when you're drinking something that's delicious, mombertarities about yeah yeah yeah,
right as opposed you. And there's some people there's something
there's some songs or some artists who like you listen
to it, but it's just at the top of your
mind is what I just know, like is and that's it.
(23:38):
So I think for me, it's it's it's that's so
that's under the music that I just want people to
know that genuinely you can make connections with music. There's
people who I meet in the like tombajin Drew Father
and they're like mister my saying, and they start telling
me where I stay, you know, like all these things
like they know me. It's like even when we chill,
it's like this person genuinely gets me. So it's like
(24:02):
I feel like I'm just another soul that just represents
a million more out there and how they also feel.
And yeah, like connections within music also genuinely, like you know, exist,
So for me, I think that's what is also like
keeping the music, you know, going, because people hear the soul.
(24:24):
It's it's not about if the if the beat is
a banger or you know, if there's bars or not.
More than anything is just like the soul. It's soul
for music, and you know, you can listen to it
and you can just really feel online or you can
start thinking about stuff. You can start thinking about your life.
Music that actually makes you sit down and you know,
(24:47):
like being another place. So I think that's what I
want people to feel when they when they listen to
my to my music at the end of the day,
that's dope.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
And the vulnerability also shines through, the authenticity shines through.
I absolutely get what you're saying about some music you
listen surface level, like you just yeah yeah, but like
when you get And it's funny because my sister is
a huge Chris Brown fan, and she's like, there's something
about Chris Brown when he just like sings and and
(25:19):
I get.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
I get that.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
It's like even though yes, he does so much music,
but he still has the heart and soul for it.
So yeah, which is what I feel about Drake, Old Drake. Okay,
I'm old. Let me not give away my age.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
I feel that way about you know, Old.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Drake, Thank me later, Drake all that, Like I get
that from him.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
You know, you've talked a lot about the work you've
put in into your own music, the journey you've told us.
Speaker 4 (25:53):
What advice would you give.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
To someone who's aspiring to do music within Zimbabwe?
Speaker 1 (25:59):
I would say, so your goals first. I think that's
number one. It's key because you don't want to be
like a plastic pig. Paper is so a drill.
Speaker 4 (26:11):
You can you please take a moment to appreciate that back?
You know what?
Speaker 1 (26:17):
I but do you do you do you understand what
I'm saying?
Speaker 4 (26:26):
Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (26:29):
Like I think as an artist you need to like
to find or find your sound to be like this
is even if I don't know, if I jump on
this other song, people can tell me this is, this
is elsy. So I think it's like find your sound,
you know, set your goals even if R N B
S Wood, even if you know, just hold your skill,
(26:50):
like be good at one thing at least like one
specific genere tot. You know, people should get to a
point where they know if he was he was on this,
you would kill it. You know, those kind of vibes
like cement you I don't know your work and if anything,
you just you just keep working. For me and Ninny,
I've avoided a lot of controversies. I've avoided a lot
(27:12):
of things by just staying in the studio and just working.
And so for me, I think the work ethic comes
first as opposed to like these days, I feel like
social media Instagram people also want to like work on
an image at the same time they want to work
like on the sound, and then they want to provoke
someone so that like all eyes on them, And I
(27:35):
feel like that's that's not music. When you're doing that,
that's that's that's showbiz. To be honest, like if you're
if you really want to be like master craft, like
just getting the studio work and you you will get better.
It's like it's like running. If you're going to run around,
you would first day you're going to do fifteen minutes.
Second day, maybe forty six weeks later you'll be doing
(27:57):
like nine minutes. Did you understand? So I feel like
a lot of people don't put the work in. They
don't actually put the work ethic to be like I'm working.
I'm working regardless of if this is going to be
posted on ZIM celebs or not, or piece or not.
I feel like it's just it's exercise and you do
get better. You get feedback from that. So keep working.
(28:19):
Set your goals and yeah, I just don't be moved
man Like, set your goals and you know, stick at
it and once once to achieve your goal, you go
into the gyp to the next.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
You mentioned that on your BBC Africa interview about how
you Know. I think there was a question around are
you going to go into afrobeads or like that genre?
And I distinctly remember you saying that while I may
feature on a song for afrobeats or you know, I
don't see myself going to say I'm going to pursue
(28:52):
that genre. And I thought that struck me quite a
bit because I was like, Okay, this is someone who
knows what he wants and knows what.
Speaker 4 (28:59):
He his music as well.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
What you're laying is what.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
You're good at and he's And people don't like that, right,
Like some people are like, oh no, you need to
be able to just and it's like.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
No jump on the trends.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Yeah, like you obviously do it for the music, and
you obviously know what you're.
Speaker 4 (29:17):
Doing for me.
Speaker 1 (29:20):
So the reason why I say that, so, for instance,
an example is with Chargy. The reason why I did
Chargey was I'd actually listened to that Oaccelate song Oxceolate
the Infinity Infinity right, and I was like, Yo, this
is so nice. I want to make something like that.
And I literally I made that, but obviously I was like,
(29:42):
I want to make my own, you know different, my
aphro beat version. However, with Chargy being successful, I can't
then call myself the afro beat king. Do you understand,
Like it's one song, I did it nice. It's like
you're a soccer star, You're LEO. See if you can
defends walked defend. It's like you you you have to
(30:09):
have your liking. So that's why I was like, in
as much as I can make the craft, I can
work on it, and you know, I just don't have
a deeper connection to it, you know. And and I
would know. My ways is to like making a whole
aprobat album as a verse that he's you know, do
me a verse. I did a song for a deal
love story that was very afrobaty, and it worked out
(30:32):
because I just gave him the verse. But if you
give me like a hip hop song and R and
B song, I can tell you from start to finish
how to layer it, you know, and and how so
and and I'll know even if I like and if
someone R and B they're in the US, they can
resonate to this. They can see who to this person
is actually full of structure. Oh wow, But we to bridge.
(30:57):
So that's that's that's that's pretty much what I was saying,
like one hundred percent, I could could make a pop song.
I would make a so song, but only as a feature.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
Because so yeah, it's great that you say that, because
even like GRIMBYA and I were saying with premiere with Gemma.
We've never heard Gemma sound like that when she was
on your like no, and you've just proven by saying this,
and you you led that song for he shed the
(31:29):
way she sang it, So you've just literally proven exactly
what you're saying. You're not just saying these words and
it's empty because we're just saying, oh my gosh, Jemma
sounds so different, but it fits in with.
Speaker 4 (31:42):
What you're doing.
Speaker 3 (31:43):
So I love that you're able to produce and bring
that out of her as well.
Speaker 4 (31:48):
Just speaks to your talent, It really does.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
Even Shasha, I think we hadn't heard her current album
hadn't come out yet, and good Bye it.
Speaker 4 (31:57):
Was still Shasha still the voice.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
But I was like, okay, and now we got a
lot more of the R and V R and B
vibes from her in her latest project, I'm.
Speaker 4 (32:07):
Alive, Like do you understand?
Speaker 6 (32:09):
So?
Speaker 2 (32:09):
And I could lay lay but now currently repeats blank,
I love blink, How you did like.
Speaker 4 (32:20):
That? That beats that progression? How you know that?
Speaker 2 (32:23):
And it's very yeah, like your music often leaves you
wanting more, like I could listen to this again.
Speaker 4 (32:31):
I want to hear more. So yeah, and it's funny.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
It's funny you mentioned charging because I'm an afrobeat head,
so Charge has.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Been on repeat for me.
Speaker 3 (32:42):
But I am I see that, So you see all
to say, you know, all the work you put in,
all the intent you put behind your music shows, and
the quality is unprecedented, and keep going like seriously obviously
getting what you're trying to put our getting it.
Speaker 1 (33:03):
But you know, like such such an unpopular opinion. So
I think I'm more of a producer more than I
like an artist. So all these things just you're telling
me the sonics and everything I pretty much arranged that,
you know, as opposed to okay, fine, like yes you
know you by right lyrics, you know, but I think
(33:26):
most of the work that I'm even obsessed with. And
this also comes to like I think I want to
sign people now. I want to start, like you know,
bringing other artists. But for me, my my biggest worry
or concern was in as much as I have all
this knowledge, I haven't really implemented it. So he'lls has
pretty much like you know, implemented what I would want
(33:48):
to envision. Even if I want to sign someone, I
can easily then say yo, you know, I know these
guys and I room have a podcast. I know dj
A do from BBC. It's like, you don't just want
to be signed and you're seated there, You're also expecting something,
you know, that kind of a thing. So I feel
like beyond that, the sonics are definitely helping me build
(34:10):
this thing that I can then eventually, like you know,
get to share with other artists and even when I
record with them, I show them how I do it
eventually so that you know they can also become someone.
So yeah, I'm grateful that you guys are telling me
all these things, are giving me this feedback because it's like, wow,
it's really coming together.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
No, we see it, and as you don't, like we
net my bars Long Street.
Speaker 4 (34:35):
I just need right.
Speaker 3 (34:39):
But you know, it's kind of funny you're coming to
this conclusion that maybe you are more producer because all
the things you talked about, like touring and sometimes being
on stage. So maybe it's like now you know the
whole craft, and now you're deciding I want to you know,
appreciate the music and take a step back, and like
that's not bad.
Speaker 4 (35:00):
Is that? Because now you know the whole story.
Speaker 3 (35:02):
So even when you're patting wisdom and people you sign up,
you know there will no you know what's talking about
You're not just yes.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
But that's what I'm he did, no, the whole premise,
like he comes from once in a blue.
Speaker 3 (35:13):
Moon and.
Speaker 4 (35:17):
That was his whole Yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:20):
No, I just wanted to say, So that's what. So,
mister Maceine, what my scene actually means is massive in house,
so it's short for that, so it's mass for massive
and then the I n H is in house, so
my scene so eventually, yeah, I just want to be
mister Marcene putting on carriers, you know, like irmb artists,
(35:40):
hip hop artists based off of like what I've obviously
done best off my marriage. So that's definitely the goal.
I don't intend, you know, like to make music the
whole time. Again, the writing is amazing. I definitely say
I love how I write, but I want to do
(36:01):
it for a bigger start, you know, like I really
hope that you know someone else from ZIM you know,
who can carry on the torch, but in I want
to be input on just you know, like writing for
them and then you know they become a bigger artist.
Because I've also learned that with the music industry, you
build with each other and on top of each other,
(36:23):
you need someone like with Narrow. I didn't make the
beat for Narrow, neither did I know I was going
to make it. But someone just send me the beat
I listened to. I was like, oh my god. And
it also like unlocked my you know, my writing ability.
I was like, wow, I had so much fun with it.
And that's how it should be as well. It's like,
if I get onto this podcast, I should inspire you guys,
(36:47):
or at least you should then have a different outlook,
you know, with regards for like artists or musicians, and
you know, it builds on top of that. At the
end of the day, we are all inspired by you
know someone, and I just want to do that that
inspirational guy, you know, and beyond that, I think, now
it's just the proof of work. I'm just building the
(37:08):
proof of it. And then if you hear now do
you usually assigned someone, you can also be like I
would listen to that, to that exactly, I know, I
know how this guy works, so yeah, vision and vision
I will.
Speaker 2 (37:23):
Get that's job. No, hellsy, I mean this, this has
been so much fun. Like talking to you. It's always
great when you to someone and they match or exceed
your your not expectations, but like what you thought they
were and then they you know, exceed or super see
(37:44):
that like you're just like okay, yeah, it's tracks like tracks.
Why you know I like the music or you know
I enjoy or connect with it, So it absolutely makes sense.
Our final question, I guess would be any upcoming projects
that you would like to share with us as well
as your social media.
Speaker 4 (38:03):
If people don't, don't you know, so please let us know.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
I think I'm gonna work on an EP. Another on
the aim for In the Building was again you heard
on the BBC interview just to get on the Africa
and Rollster. So just from the EP, I definitely have
gotten like you know, proper shoutouts aka show my Jersey, Gigy,
(38:30):
you know, the Chris Brown producer. Like, there's people who
are definitely you know, they want to work. So for me,
it was a question of should I do a deluxe
of like in the Building with the with the narrow
remix in there, or do I completely just study a
new body of work. So right now it's I think
(38:50):
I'm just gonna start a new body of work because
I've already I already have songs that I loaded and
impact beyond the sound. So I found my sound first.
Now I've found my strategy as well, So I'm just
going to be implementing that. You know, the numbers are
amazing in the building and I want to double that
now hopefully with more like international collaborations as well. And
(39:12):
then with regards to my socials, uh yeah, it's he'll
z h I double l z y nine one one.
The nine one one is completely a random thing. People
always ask.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
Me like.
Speaker 2 (39:28):
Emergency emergency, isn't it funny when we started out socials,
you probably didn't even think.
Speaker 4 (39:35):
Then I'm like, I can't go back someone.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
The So so it's like my Twitter. I got onto
Twitter heels he was already taken and I put it
nine one one there and then yeah, Instagram came up.
You know Youtubengo result I think are consistent robo so
it's nine eleven on all platforms.
Speaker 3 (39:58):
You know, now you need to release an epos. I
think that's just nine to one one.
Speaker 1 (40:01):
So together, you know what is actually supposed to recall
eleven past nine? It needs to be nice. I was
thinking of that, but who knows, you know, like I
will see how I work with it. But one hundred percent,
and a lot of people already call me ninet eleven
(40:22):
like they're like nine eleven, we say nine one one,
We say so like.
Speaker 3 (40:27):
Our people time the nicknames quick with it. This has
been absolutely amazing for us. You know, we also love
how seamlessly you you sing with our language as well,
with Shana and English intertwined, because that is how rempublicans
(40:50):
are and I think when you sing like that as well,
it just resonates so much with us because that's how
we speak, that's how we interact. And we are big
fans and cannot wait to see all the things that
are coming your way, all the manifestations, everything you talked about.
Speaker 4 (41:07):
We wish you all the best.
Speaker 3 (41:09):
We are absolutely stoked that she came onto our podcast
and yeah, anything else, no, you've.
Speaker 4 (41:16):
Said it all.
Speaker 2 (41:17):
Thank you, Thank you so much, Hilsey. If you haven't
listened to his music, please check it out. It's on
Spotify or wherever you guys listen to your music. Yeah,
it's everywhere. It's it's well worth it, well worth it.
Speaker 4 (41:30):
Mumbo terra bas mumbo.
Speaker 2 (41:32):
You know, but you also thinks a lot of ballads too,
Lady e B crooning, yes, yeah, no, Thank you so much,
and thank you, of course, as always for listening to
another episode of our podcast, It's Layered. If you have questions,
hit us up. It's Layered Pod at gmail dot com.
We're on Instagram, it's layered Twitter. It's Layered Pod. You know,
(41:54):
you know, you know, and thank you so much. We'll
see you on the next episode. Good Bye, no no no, yeah,
yeah yeah yeah
I'm always always, sir.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Be careful.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Love those umboo.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Let We'll use your head. They will tear you up.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Lack a purple talk. Oh no, no, no, yeah, yeah yeah yeah,
oh no no no.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Hi. I'm Amanda and I'm Rumby. Welcome to its lay It.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
We're in a long distance friendship that started over twenty
years ago when we were in high school.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
We'll be talking about all things life, love, family, anything
and everything else under the sun.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Delve deeper with us because in life, you know my layers.
Oh no, no, no, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah. Hello everybody, and
welcome to a brand new episode of its Layered podcast.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Today.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
We are very excited. We've got a special guest in
the build and we're gonna tell you a little bit
more about them. So we've got Hilsey born Hilary Chipunza
is one of Zimbabwean's most promising and exciting upcoming contemporary
urban musicians who has already built a dedicated following across
(01:35):
the globe using his unique voice, poignant lyrics and captivating
vulnerability that's for sure. In twenty seventeen, Hilsey had a
breakout year when he released Murora, an Impassion and stripped
down love ballad that dominated radio and streaming platforms todate.
The song is known as one of Zimbabwe's quintessential wedding songs.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
After releasing his commercially acclaimed Sicana EP, which we loved
and which we shouted out on this podcast featuring chat
topping collaborations with Shasha and Jimmy Griffiths, Hilsey continued to
tour and perform within and out of Zimbabwe. After the
success of Tisicana. Hilsey has now just released his latest EP,
(02:18):
in the Building. Welcome to it Laid Podcast. Hilsey, you're
in the building and our is laid podcast Building.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
We're great, Thank you so much for being here.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
You have say it's hell in the building.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
If anything el say in the building, that's you know
tagline anytime you sung the song. Yeah, we're so stoked
to have you as fans of your music and your work,
ethic and everything you're currently up to. Anyone who knows
the in the building the anthem for us. I think
(02:54):
Amanda and I were talking about it earlier before we
started recording. Narrow is our anthem for the people.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Jes listen to it.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
So before we get all into you know the music
and all that. We just wanted to say, Hilsey, who
is Hilsy? How would you describe yourself or how would
those closest to you describe you?
Speaker 1 (03:27):
So Hill was he's an artist during the night, I
would say, in a producer, and then during the day,
I am an iOS developer. Sorry, I make apps for
like iPhones. That's that's what I did, like for school.
I'm also into a little bit of farming. I help
my parents there out there farm. But yeah, essentially that's me.
(03:48):
The closest to me actually call me mister Massin. So
if you ever hear anything that says this is a
mister Massine production, I actually composed. So yeah, that's that's
pretty much who he is. I'm ah, it's kind of busy.
If I'm not at the farm, I'm here like recording,
or if I'm not here then you know, I'm on
(04:09):
my computer making apps. But yeah, that's that's really about me.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Wow, talk about faceated in all ways, Like, yeah, I
studied computer engineering at u ce T, if I'm not mistaken.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
Yeah, yeah, we saw the reference to long streets like yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
But yeah, I was I was at uc T and
that's when pretty much like the whole hills my career started,
I would say, because I was fresh out of high school,
I went to send Faith it's a mission screen recabbict
uh and most of the time it was just like
corel stuff, you know, like choir Stretcher Union. And I
always had a dream of, like, you know, I want
to buy myself like a microphone. So I pretty much
(04:56):
bought like the you know, your modern day podcasters set
up like a young my condenser. And then I started
just watching YouTube videos. So it's like it's either I'm
in lectures or you know, like I'm playing around with
the computer. So by the time twenty seventeen, I was
actually I actually I was graduating years. So that's when
I came up with Mura. And yeah, ever since, like
(05:18):
pretty much people you know started recognizing me for like
the music kind of thing. But yeah, that's wonderful.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Shout out to the suspect.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
That's where my mom's from.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
What I do, what I do. How would you describe
your own journey to music?
Speaker 3 (05:35):
I mean, you spoke about being in recapent honing, but
since when Murroa came out to now, what has that
journey been.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Like, Yo, it's been a roller coaster because what's crazy
is what people are seeing now is what I was
seeing myself in twenty sixteen. So it's like I've been
trying to paint this picture.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
You know.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
It's like, Yo, I'm this guy. You know, this is
what I'm trying to do or where I'm trying to
be at. So if anything, it's it has been such
a rollercuster because sometimes you feel like, okay, fine, some
people get it, but for the most of it, people
you know, don't really get or they're not really seeing
the vision. So it's it really has had its ups
(06:20):
and downs. But I'm just so grateful that, you know,
in life, any form of like success comes with like consistency.
There's no one who is successful in life who's not consistent.
So I'm just grateful I was consistent through and through,
you know, and I can't really say I've made much
or I've made much here. This is really like the beginning.
(06:42):
But a lot of people give up when they don't,
you know, get something in return. So I'm just grateful
that for me, it was like Jim, you know, you
do it like every day. It's like food, Yeah, you
eat food every day, So I'm just at the consistency
pretty much, you know, helped me. But you know, I cannot,
I honestly can not like describe all the feelings like
in one way or I can just say it's in
(07:03):
a road and coster, you know. Yeah, but yeah, yeah,
and I'm truly grateful for the journey.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Yeah yeah, that's really really dope, And I think it
seems to be a thing that I keep hearing more
and most like, if you want to do something, you've
got to be consistent.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Even when people don't.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
See the vision or where you're headed. How was it
like in terms of your family and friends, were they
supported from jump or how did that dynamic work out
for you in wanting to do music?
Speaker 1 (07:31):
So from a friend's perspective, I think my friends already
knew that. Like I was a music head, used to
know like all the latest songs that were out, you know,
like and then when I slowly recorded my first first song,
I think it was like FOLM full back, you know,
like after writing exams, everyone wants to do something, and
I was like, I'm going to record my best single.
So people pretty much were like, now we're rooting for you.
(07:52):
But at a whole. Obviously, it was something that's so
foreign because like my dad is a doctor with a provasion,
and he was just like, not the books.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
My bands.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
And I beg in the day. In the day, like
he used to say, I could buy you any kind
of textbook, no matter how expensive it is, as opposed
to buy and you like, say like a PlayStation. You know,
That's that's how hard he was like with education. So
to me, it was like, okay, fine, I'll do this.
I'll do the education side of things, and then later
(08:28):
on I'll get to do what I you know, what
I want. So after a levels, that's when I was like,
I even he wanted me to go and study medicine
and use it. But at the back of my head,
I was like, nah, if I stay close to him,
I feel like I'm not going to expand you know
in terms of like music or just be myself and
find myself. So that's how I thought, to, you know,
(08:49):
go study computer science Cape Town. And that's when I,
you know, essentially like built everything up so here and
there they would hear. People would be.
Speaker 6 (08:57):
Like I want to ask, and I just brushed it off,
just brushed it over. I'm like my dad will be
like what it is and I'm like a oldes you know,
you're just so it was really hard until I think
(09:19):
I released a mine.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
So when I released her, my came back to ZIM
for a holiday and then a lot of like you're
like you sounding so sweet or whatever, and then my
mom hadn't actually listened to the song, and she listened
to it. She cried. She literally cried, and I was
just like, Okay, maybe you might be onto something. So
my mom was lokly tolerating at that point. And then
(09:42):
I'll say after and now mura, I actually I have
my dad in the music video. My mom as well,
so they knew I was doing it like low key.
But one day I just ended up picking up the
core and I'm like, yo, I'm doing this music video
and can you please come there with the farm. They're
like okay, to do giars thin and I'm like yes,
(10:03):
it's just it's just come through. So I think that's when,
And that was twentish seventeen when they also knew I
was graduating, So I think that's when I got like
the official stem from my from my parents, but everyone
else was upproving. But ever since then when I also
got that low key parents or blessing. You know, that's
when the music also really started, like you know, doing
(10:24):
around and so now now and then I'm being like
earrands with my mom. People are just like hey, I'm chatting,
you know, like every day. She's also like, yeah, I
greet them back, you know.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Shout out to your parents real.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
For sure. We've spoken about this in other episodes, right, Amanda,
about parents and like how it's I think it's really
hard for especially African parents to grasp that we have
dreams different to what they thought should be our dreams.
You know, it's it's changed. Yeah, you know, I would.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
I saw this on Twitter one day where like, you know,
girls are just sharing the experiences, say when they got
pregnant versus like let's say they were not married, and
then to a point where now like then versus now,
and then it's like the parents are so inseparable with
their grandchildren. They were so you know. But so I
(11:29):
feel like it was the same with my journey because
now when I'm out and I'm with my dad, he
is like, okay, I'm doctor Shipunza and then all of
a sudden goes rooms here but at first, but at
first amount of friction that was there, you know, So
I to add on to that, it's a hundred percent.
(11:51):
I think our parents have like the best for us,
and sometimes the best for us is and what they
really envision the vision.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Yeah, yeah, so you've just pretty much answered what I
was gonna ask you next.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
What has it taken for you to make it this far?
Speaker 3 (12:06):
And you know, it sounds like with parents obviously there
was that journey as you just described, But what do
you think personally you've had to sacrifice to make it
this fansim Babblian music scene.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
I think I've sacrificed a lot of time. I don't
really I'm not really outgoing. So the music is out there,
but it's for me. It's either like I'm in the
studio or you know, I'm working on something else or
even like so, I think another thing that attributes to
my life being busy is I'm an only child. So
you can imagine being an only child and your parents,
(12:39):
don't you They're scared you might you know, not make
it in school or like in the music scene as well.
So the pressure has always been like at the back
of my head and also like just showing a culture.
You know, people are just like being persantly like nah,
you're the only one you need to fight, you know,
that kind of thing. So I think I've really sacrificed
like a lot of time, like in the like in
(13:00):
the music, like you're saying when you say like quality.
So I think what differs, what differentiates me from other
artists is I think a lot of people have like
say seven people working on their music, Like they go
and recorded someone studio and then someone mixes it and
masters it. For me, it's like everything like beats I record,
you know, I pretty much do everything in house, which
(13:21):
has helped me as well because it's like it has
maintained the vibes and the ethic as well. But I'm
also getting to a point where I also want people
who share the same vision, who are also as hardworking
as I am, you know, pretty much like help me
out with the work. So I do have like a
few friends like a beatsmith we were also together, ucity,
(13:44):
but you also make some of my beats and you
master some of my stuff. I also trust him, So
I would say I think the journey is really just
you know, I've sacrificed so much time, even sometimes when
friends are like yo, he was in Google you know
December from Disember.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
No, you know, you know, like.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
But yeah, I think that's for me. That's like the
biggest sacrifice.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Yeah, but you know what, it's so commendable, Hillsy. You
are honing your craft. Yes, you are knowing your music
through and through and you can't you know, people say
it takes what ten thousand hours? What is it to
because you are literally putting that work and that time.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
In and it shows.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
It's evident, you know, So don't knock yourself, can descend,
can wait?
Speaker 4 (14:39):
You know, and you can hear it.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
And we were talking about how we can listen to
your music top to bottom, like we listen body of
works are a body of work that you can just
listen to, and not even the biggest artists out there
are like, not many are able to pull that off, Charanty,
you know. And also it definitely definitely shows. And you've
(15:04):
also collaborated with some heavy weights, you know, Shasha Gemma,
friend of the podcast and recently been featured on BBC Africa. Firstly,
I would like to know who are your musical inspirations
and then what is your dream collaboration if you were
able to.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
To say okay, so by So, I listened to a
lot of Chris Brown. I listened to hip hop. Let's
just say hip hop. So two thousand and eight hours
in form damn. That's that's a long time ago. I
was in porn four yearn for and the crazy was
just you know, Chris Brown and a Beyonce you know,
(15:46):
Rick Cross. That that year of music for me. I
think I still think that that's like the epic sound,
you know, like I feel like all these other like
songs that are coming out now are just really rooting
from that year. So a lot of Chris Brown, a
lot of Drake low Wayne sometimes when it comes to
just like writing, you know, like saying you know, smart things.
(16:08):
But mostly right now because Drake and Chris Brown are
still releasing, I listen to them. Then, Like in Africa,
I listened to Blackie, I listened to Nasty See, and
then locally I listened to like underground artists. I listened
to Young mccannie. I listened to another kid called Simdom.
But if you literally just listen to the whole catalog, yeah,
(16:28):
that's pretty much where I get, Like my sound in
my inspiration from. But back in the day when I
was growing up, my mom used to listen to a
lot of Two Group and a lot of Ciboma Cabani.
So there's also like a lot of gospel that's that
is bagged, you know, like my music as well. So
it's a bunch. But now I'd say for me, it's
(16:49):
Drake and Chris Brown, and the goal honestly is to, yeah,
I just have a song with Chris Brown. I don't know.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Yeah, well, Chris be loving as Africa's I will say,
we can manefest that for you.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
It's gonna ask manifest for sure, for sure.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
And I also when I when I've been recording or
like composing, my aim has always been to like I
remember as far as like I was in high scrub,
like how do I make my song or my voice
sound you know, like this urban song it wasn't really
about you know, I'm a rapper and I'm gonna make
it beyond that. It was like the quality you guys
(17:31):
are speaking of, Like I'm so I would rather sing
crap and having like thequality I want someone to like say,
playing American song and then if they press next it
needs to be seamless with you know, like with my
song Heal this song. So that's what I've been pushing for,
like you know, beyond like just the message. So yeah,
(17:53):
those guys or say just La inspires me a lot,
like in terms of like music, because I just think
that's that's like the end again. So yeah, hopefully I'll
beat there. I mean, right now I'm speaking to Chris
Brown's producer. He's actually been sending me beats, so we're working,
but it's almost like I'm just one person away, and
I just hope like to be like, hey, I see you.
(18:16):
But yeah, it's only a matter of time and and
I honestly just trust the process. I'm just going to
keep doing me because that's what I've been doing, you know.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
So yeah, the key I think that is seriously the key.
Do you do you enjoy touring, playing at live shows,
meeting your fans. I know you said you like to
keep yourself, but I'm sure when it comes to your
music you do enjoy out there.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
I'm being like, I'm such I'm such an introvert, right,
And what's wild is when you meet someone you don't
you don't know where the you specifically is coming from
which song and what message do they like, what do
(19:02):
they perceive you as like in that moment in time.
So it's a bunch of reactions from a bunch of people,
all at the same time. So sometimes I get I hell,
get overwholm because I'm also that kind of a person
who if I get to a place, I want to
speak to everyone. If someone says quite neany quite mean,
I want to be there. But you're like, man, I
(19:24):
honestly can't be there for you know, all of you guys.
So yeah, but the moments that I cherish the most
are so sometimes like I said, I'm into farming. I
help my parents, so sometimes don't want to know my industry.
You know, two more in Downtown getting like my parts
and then you were like, you know, like one of
the ones. I love those because like we can have
(19:46):
a full orverisation without people disturbing or when it shows
it's a different thing all together. I do love the
you know, the tension or at least like the feedback.
You know, people are happy because you're seeing you're doing something,
So yeah, I love that. But yeah, and then yeah,
(20:10):
I just need to do what I do on stage leander,
but once once I get on stage as well, you know,
when you just have something kicking, it's like diving into water.
At first, you know, could dive and then all of
a sudden, once you dive, you're in there. So that's
what always happens. I'm so nervous before I get on stage.
I'm like, any go over, you know, like the nerve
(20:32):
pone just goes, or if people just start wearing bottles, you.
Speaker 4 (20:42):
Know, but nerves and nerves are good. People say nerves
are good.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
Nerves show you care, so it's it's it's good. It's
a good thing, and buse you hone them and still,
you know, do your show.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Yeah, okay, it's And I think one thing also that
I forgot to mention was so most of these things,
or the music, I was in Cape Town because I
have more of an online presence than a public you know, presence.
So when I got back to ZIM, it was also
like so different because in Cape Town, I was just
(21:15):
like a normal you know, developer, wake up, do it.
But you know it's so different. You know, I can't
do that anymore. And I so it's I I've definitely adjusted,
but I'm not yet there you know where I can
be like, ah, this is me, you know, because all
the time it's it's going to be someone And I
(21:36):
love it because people share their personal stories. So some
of them like you use I'm a fan actually so
yeah as a proposer or so yeah, you know, it's
it's those old gems that then help me and be
like ah, if I get back in the studio, I'm like,
I know who I'm doing this for. Beyond me, it's
someone also the people that I inspire in like different ways.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Yeah, that's a perfect segue because then I wanted to
ask you what you want those who listen to your
music to ganer most from listening to your music? So
what do you want people to receive from it? Seems
like you're making your music, you know your audience, you
know who you're making it for. What do you want
them to take away when they listen to your music?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
But that's that's that's a deeper question to.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Be Yeah, we dont deeper.
Speaker 4 (22:23):
Yeah yeah there.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
Well, So for me, I just want people to know
that there's a real and authentic music or like authentic connections.
You can genuinely connect with people through music because there
are people who like, let's say, so Jakari. So, I
don't know if you guys know about Jakari, but Jakari
is like g Isy's producer is actually yes, so he's
(22:54):
the one I did with. He moved on from La.
He's not staying in younger but he yeah, literally is
like you. I want to work with you. And I
learned so much from him. And one of the things,
at least what he said to me is like your
music has so you know, like it is so as
in you. You listen to a song and like and
(23:15):
you want to be like, ha, who's this person? Or
you want to know more about that person. It's like
when you're drinking something that's delicious, mombertarities about yeah yeah yeah,
right as opposed you. And there's some people there's something
there's some songs or some artists who like you listen
to it, but it's just at the top of your
mind is what I just know, like is and that's it.
(23:38):
So I think for me, it's it's it's that's so
that's under the music that I just want people to
know that genuinely you can make connections with music. There's
people who I meet in the like tombajin Drew Father
and they're like mister my saying, and they start telling
me where I stay, you know, like all these things
like they know me. It's like even when we chill,
it's like this person genuinely gets me. So it's like
(24:02):
I feel like I'm just another soul that just represents
a million more out there and how they also feel.
And yeah, like connections within music also genuinely, like you know, exist,
So for me, I think that's what is also like
keeping the music, you know, going, because people hear the soul.
(24:24):
It's it's not about if the if the beat is
a banger or you know, if there's bars or not.
More than anything is just like the soul. It's soul
for music, and you know, you can listen to it
and you can just really feel online or you can
start thinking about stuff. You can start thinking about your life.
Music that actually makes you sit down and you know,
(24:47):
like being another place. So I think that's what I
want people to feel when they when they listen to
my to my music at the end of the day,
that's dope.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
And the vulnerability also shines through, the authenticity shines through.
I absolutely get what you're saying about some music you
listen surface level, like you just yeah yeah, but like
when you get And it's funny because my sister is
a huge Chris Brown fan, and she's like, there's something
about Chris Brown when he just like sings and and
(25:19):
I get.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
I get that.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
It's like even though yes, he does so much music,
but he still has the heart and soul for it.
So yeah, which is what I feel about Drake, Old Drake. Okay,
I'm old. Let me not give away my age.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
I feel that way about you know, Old.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Drake, Thank me later, Drake all that, Like I get
that from him.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
You know, you've talked a lot about the work you've
put in into your own music, the journey you've told us.
Speaker 4 (25:53):
What advice would you give.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
To someone who's aspiring to do music within Zimbabwe?
Speaker 1 (25:59):
I would say, so your goals first. I think that's
number one. It's key because you don't want to be
like a plastic pig. Paper is so a drill.
Speaker 4 (26:11):
You can you please take a moment to appreciate that back?
You know what?
Speaker 1 (26:17):
I but do you do you do you understand what
I'm saying?
Speaker 4 (26:26):
Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (26:29):
Like I think as an artist you need to like
to find or find your sound to be like this
is even if I don't know, if I jump on
this other song, people can tell me this is, this
is elsy. So I think it's like find your sound,
you know, set your goals even if R N B
S Wood, even if you know, just hold your skill,
(26:50):
like be good at one thing at least like one
specific genere tot. You know, people should get to a
point where they know if he was he was on this,
you would kill it. You know, those kind of vibes
like cement you I don't know your work and if anything,
you just you just keep working. For me and Ninny,
I've avoided a lot of controversies. I've avoided a lot
(27:12):
of things by just staying in the studio and just working.
And so for me, I think the work ethic comes
first as opposed to like these days, I feel like
social media Instagram people also want to like work on
an image at the same time they want to work
like on the sound, and then they want to provoke
someone so that like all eyes on them, And I
(27:35):
feel like that's that's not music. When you're doing that,
that's that's that's showbiz. To be honest, like if you're
if you really want to be like master craft, like
just getting the studio work and you you will get better.
It's like it's like running. If you're going to run around,
you would first day you're going to do fifteen minutes.
Second day, maybe forty six weeks later you'll be doing
(27:57):
like nine minutes. Did you understand? So I feel like
a lot of people don't put the work in. They
don't actually put the work ethic to be like I'm working.
I'm working regardless of if this is going to be
posted on ZIM celebs or not, or piece or not.
I feel like it's just it's exercise and you do
get better. You get feedback from that. So keep working.
(28:19):
Set your goals and yeah, I just don't be moved
man Like, set your goals and you know, stick at
it and once once to achieve your goal, you go
into the gyp to the next.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
You mentioned that on your BBC Africa interview about how
you Know. I think there was a question around are
you going to go into afrobeads or like that genre?
And I distinctly remember you saying that while I may
feature on a song for afrobeats or you know, I
don't see myself going to say I'm going to pursue
(28:52):
that genre. And I thought that struck me quite a
bit because I was like, Okay, this is someone who
knows what he wants and knows what.
Speaker 4 (28:59):
He his music as well.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
What you're laying is what.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
You're good at and he's And people don't like that, right,
Like some people are like, oh no, you need to
be able to just and it's like.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
No jump on the trends.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Yeah, like you obviously do it for the music, and
you obviously know what you're.
Speaker 4 (29:17):
Doing for me.
Speaker 1 (29:20):
So the reason why I say that, so, for instance,
an example is with Chargy. The reason why I did
Chargey was I'd actually listened to that Oaccelate song Oxceolate
the Infinity Infinity right, and I was like, Yo, this
is so nice. I want to make something like that.
And I literally I made that, but obviously I was like,
(29:42):
I want to make my own, you know different, my
aphro beat version. However, with Chargy being successful, I can't
then call myself the afro beat king. Do you understand,
Like it's one song, I did it nice. It's like
you're a soccer star, You're LEO. See if you can
defends walked defend. It's like you you you have to
(30:09):
have your liking. So that's why I was like, in
as much as I can make the craft, I can
work on it, and you know, I just don't have
a deeper connection to it, you know. And and I
would know. My ways is to like making a whole
aprobat album as a verse that he's you know, do
me a verse. I did a song for a deal
love story that was very afrobaty, and it worked out
(30:32):
because I just gave him the verse. But if you
give me like a hip hop song and R and
B song, I can tell you from start to finish
how to layer it, you know, and and how so
and and I'll know even if I like and if
someone R and B they're in the US, they can
resonate to this. They can see who to this person
is actually full of structure. Oh wow, But we to bridge.
(30:57):
So that's that's that's that's pretty much what I was saying,
like one hundred percent, I could could make a pop song.
I would make a so song, but only as a feature.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
Because so yeah, it's great that you say that, because
even like GRIMBYA and I were saying with premiere with Gemma.
We've never heard Gemma sound like that when she was
on your like no, and you've just proven by saying this,
and you you led that song for he shed the
(31:29):
way she sang it, So you've just literally proven exactly
what you're saying. You're not just saying these words and
it's empty because we're just saying, oh my gosh, Jemma
sounds so different, but it fits in with.
Speaker 4 (31:42):
What you're doing.
Speaker 3 (31:43):
So I love that you're able to produce and bring
that out of her as well.
Speaker 4 (31:48):
Just speaks to your talent, It really does.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
Even Shasha, I think we hadn't heard her current album
hadn't come out yet, and good Bye it.
Speaker 4 (31:57):
Was still Shasha still the voice.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
But I was like, okay, and now we got a
lot more of the R and V R and B
vibes from her in her latest project, I'm.
Speaker 4 (32:07):
Alive, Like do you understand?
Speaker 6 (32:09):
So?
Speaker 2 (32:09):
And I could lay lay but now currently repeats blank,
I love blink, How you did like.
Speaker 4 (32:20):
That? That beats that progression? How you know that?
Speaker 2 (32:23):
And it's very yeah, like your music often leaves you
wanting more, like I could listen to this again.
Speaker 4 (32:31):
I want to hear more. So yeah, and it's funny.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
It's funny you mentioned charging because I'm an afrobeat head,
so Charge has.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Been on repeat for me.
Speaker 3 (32:42):
But I am I see that, So you see all
to say, you know, all the work you put in,
all the intent you put behind your music shows, and
the quality is unprecedented, and keep going like seriously obviously
getting what you're trying to put our getting it.
Speaker 1 (33:03):
But you know, like such such an unpopular opinion. So
I think I'm more of a producer more than I
like an artist. So all these things just you're telling
me the sonics and everything I pretty much arranged that,
you know, as opposed to okay, fine, like yes you
know you by right lyrics, you know, but I think
(33:26):
most of the work that I'm even obsessed with. And
this also comes to like I think I want to
sign people now. I want to start, like you know,
bringing other artists. But for me, my my biggest worry
or concern was in as much as I have all
this knowledge, I haven't really implemented it. So he'lls has
pretty much like you know, implemented what I would want
(33:48):
to envision. Even if I want to sign someone, I
can easily then say yo, you know, I know these
guys and I room have a podcast. I know dj
A do from BBC. It's like, you don't just want
to be signed and you're seated there, You're also expecting something,
you know, that kind of a thing. So I feel
like beyond that, the sonics are definitely helping me build
(34:10):
this thing that I can then eventually, like you know,
get to share with other artists and even when I
record with them, I show them how I do it
eventually so that you know they can also become someone.
So yeah, I'm grateful that you guys are telling me
all these things, are giving me this feedback because it's like, wow,
it's really coming together.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
No, we see it, and as you don't, like we
net my bars Long Street.
Speaker 4 (34:35):
I just need right.
Speaker 3 (34:39):
But you know, it's kind of funny you're coming to
this conclusion that maybe you are more producer because all
the things you talked about, like touring and sometimes being
on stage. So maybe it's like now you know the
whole craft, and now you're deciding I want to you know,
appreciate the music and take a step back, and like
that's not bad.
Speaker 4 (35:00):
Is that? Because now you know the whole story.
Speaker 3 (35:02):
So even when you're patting wisdom and people you sign up,
you know there will no you know what's talking about
You're not just yes.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
But that's what I'm he did, no, the whole premise,
like he comes from once in a blue.
Speaker 3 (35:13):
Moon and.
Speaker 4 (35:17):
That was his whole Yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:20):
No, I just wanted to say, So that's what. So,
mister Maceine, what my scene actually means is massive in house,
so it's short for that, so it's mass for massive
and then the I n H is in house, so
my scene so eventually, yeah, I just want to be
mister Marcene putting on carriers, you know, like irmb artists,
(35:40):
hip hop artists based off of like what I've obviously
done best off my marriage. So that's definitely the goal.
I don't intend, you know, like to make music the
whole time. Again, the writing is amazing. I definitely say
I love how I write, but I want to do
(36:01):
it for a bigger start, you know, like I really
hope that you know someone else from ZIM you know,
who can carry on the torch, but in I want
to be input on just you know, like writing for
them and then you know they become a bigger artist.
Because I've also learned that with the music industry, you
build with each other and on top of each other,
(36:23):
you need someone like with Narrow. I didn't make the
beat for Narrow, neither did I know I was going
to make it. But someone just send me the beat
I listened to. I was like, oh my god. And
it also like unlocked my you know, my writing ability.
I was like, wow, I had so much fun with it.
And that's how it should be as well. It's like,
if I get onto this podcast, I should inspire you guys,
(36:47):
or at least you should then have a different outlook,
you know, with regards for like artists or musicians, and
you know, it builds on top of that. At the
end of the day, we are all inspired by you
know someone, and I just want to do that that
inspirational guy, you know, and beyond that, I think, now
it's just the proof of work. I'm just building the
(37:08):
proof of it. And then if you hear now do
you usually assigned someone, you can also be like I
would listen to that, to that exactly, I know, I
know how this guy works, so yeah, vision and vision
I will.
Speaker 2 (37:23):
Get that's job. No, hellsy, I mean this, this has
been so much fun. Like talking to you. It's always
great when you to someone and they match or exceed
your your not expectations, but like what you thought they
were and then they you know, exceed or super see
(37:44):
that like you're just like okay, yeah, it's tracks like tracks.
Why you know I like the music or you know
I enjoy or connect with it, So it absolutely makes sense.
Our final question, I guess would be any upcoming projects
that you would like to share with us as well
as your social media.
Speaker 4 (38:03):
If people don't, don't you know, so please let us know.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
I think I'm gonna work on an EP. Another on
the aim for In the Building was again you heard
on the BBC interview just to get on the Africa
and Rollster. So just from the EP, I definitely have
gotten like you know, proper shoutouts aka show my Jersey, Gigy,
(38:30):
you know, the Chris Brown producer. Like, there's people who
are definitely you know, they want to work. So for me,
it was a question of should I do a deluxe
of like in the Building with the with the narrow
remix in there, or do I completely just study a
new body of work. So right now it's I think
(38:50):
I'm just gonna start a new body of work because
I've already I already have songs that I loaded and
impact beyond the sound. So I found my sound first.
Now I've found my strategy as well, So I'm just
going to be implementing that. You know, the numbers are
amazing in the building and I want to double that
now hopefully with more like international collaborations as well. And
(39:12):
then with regards to my socials, uh yeah, it's he'll
z h I double l z y nine one one.
The nine one one is completely a random thing. People
always ask.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
Me like.
Speaker 2 (39:28):
Emergency emergency, isn't it funny when we started out socials,
you probably didn't even think.
Speaker 4 (39:35):
Then I'm like, I can't go back someone.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
The So so it's like my Twitter. I got onto
Twitter heels he was already taken and I put it
nine one one there and then yeah, Instagram came up.
You know Youtubengo result I think are consistent robo so
it's nine eleven on all platforms.
Speaker 3 (39:58):
You know, now you need to release an epos. I
think that's just nine to one one.
Speaker 1 (40:01):
So together, you know what is actually supposed to recall
eleven past nine? It needs to be nice. I was
thinking of that, but who knows, you know, like I
will see how I work with it. But one hundred percent,
and a lot of people already call me ninet eleven
(40:22):
like they're like nine eleven, we say nine one one,
We say so like.
Speaker 3 (40:27):
Our people time the nicknames quick with it. This has
been absolutely amazing for us. You know, we also love
how seamlessly you you sing with our language as well,
with Shana and English intertwined, because that is how rempublicans
(40:50):
are and I think when you sing like that as well,
it just resonates so much with us because that's how
we speak, that's how we interact. And we are big
fans and cannot wait to see all the things that
are coming your way, all the manifestations, everything you talked about.
Speaker 4 (41:07):
We wish you all the best.
Speaker 3 (41:09):
We are absolutely stoked that she came onto our podcast
and yeah, anything else, no, you've.
Speaker 4 (41:16):
Said it all.
Speaker 2 (41:17):
Thank you, Thank you so much, Hilsey. If you haven't
listened to his music, please check it out. It's on
Spotify or wherever you guys listen to your music. Yeah,
it's everywhere. It's it's well worth it, well worth it.
Speaker 4 (41:30):
Mumbo terra bas mumbo.
Speaker 2 (41:32):
You know, but you also thinks a lot of ballads too,
Lady e B crooning, yes, yeah, no, Thank you so much,
and thank you, of course, as always for listening to
another episode of our podcast, It's Layered. If you have questions,
hit us up. It's Layered Pod at gmail dot com.
We're on Instagram, it's layered Twitter. It's Layered Pod. You know,
(41:54):
you know, you know, and thank you so much. We'll
see you on the next episode. Good Bye, no no no, yeah,
yeah yeah yeah
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