Music runs in my veins: MAFFCAT

BY TAWANDA NGENA

Arguably, he is one of the best talents to emerge locally in the last decade, he has travelled the length and breadth of this planet on his mission to spread the gospel of music, he has collaborated and shared the stage with reputable names, locally and on a global scale. Btnmedia_zw caught up dancehall star Albert Chirozva, popularly known as Maffcat for a brief chat. He shared with us his fondest memories, his hopes, his views as far as the local dancehall industry is concerned, among a whole host of things. Below are selected parts from that interview:

FIRSTLY, TELL US ABOUT THE NAME 'MAFFCAT', WHERE DID IT COME FROM?
It was during my high school years that I got the name. My friends called me 'Maffcat' because I knew how to dress and always looked sharp! From thereon the name stuck with me.

HOW AND WHERE DID THIS MUSICAL JOURNEY START?
I started singing when i was in form 3 at a school talent showshow. Prior to my perfomance ..some guys who where school leavers had 'roughed me up' pretty bad all because of the attention I was getting from a certain girl in school, so by the time i stepped up to the microphone it is safe to say that 'all hell broke loose'. I let my talent speak for me through a freeestyle 'diss' (lyrical attack) aimed at these guys. It is safe to say that since that and onwards, everyone at school knew that lyrically, I was not to be messed with, they were all like "Maff yu ah bad artist".
A few months thereafter I recorded my first track titled "Ndichitanga kumuka" which was a love song and that, ladies and gentleman, is how a star was born.
 WHERE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION FROM? Growing up I was immensely inspired by my uncle Tinei Mpemba, he used to write songs for me early on. He actually came out tops and won Star Brite (local talent identifying show). I can't deny the influence that other local artists like Winky D had on my career as well. I always wanted to be big like them and emulate them in every way. Internationally, I told my self i wanted to be famous like Mavado & Vybz kartel of course!

CAN YOU RECALL SOME OF YOUR EARLIER WORK?
In my formative years I did 2 albums titled "Zvehupenyu" and "Ngoma Huru" but back then no one cared and its safe to say, all that effort went down the drain. But then again, God works in mysterious ways dosnt he?





WHICH, WOULD YOU SAY WERE SOME OF YOUR MORE MEMORABLE AND COLLABORATIONS OF NOTE?
I have worked with Russian, a Jamaican dancehall artist and also Tenza Bosslady, who is a jamaican based in the United Kingdom. I also collaborated with Celcious on a track called 'Vana ve Zimbabwe', a track which is really self expanatory. Another collaboration of note would have to be with Chatzman, my brother from another mother.

WHAT DOES THE ART OF MUSIC MEAN TO YOU?
Music is in my veins and it has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. It is an inborn thing and I believe I was put here on earth by a higher power in order to carry out my mission to communicate with 'jah people' from all over the globe through music. Through my music I am both an entertainer and an educator as well.
I am always aiming higher and higher like a rocket shooting for the sky, It is my hope that someday soon people will realise what I am talking about.

IF YOU WEREN'T A MUSICIAN, WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK YOU COULD HAVE BEEN?
If I had never picked up the microphone I guess I would still have played one role or another musically, Maybe ndaikaka ngoma nekugadzira magitare vanogona kuridza voridza (maybe I would have been the one making instruments for other artists to use when they perfom) or I could easily have followed in my father's footsteps and became a motor doctor.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE LOCAL DANCEHALL SCENE?
I think we are better off not trying to personalise something that is not ours, lets do away with this thing called 'zimdancehall' and stick to just it being dancehall. That is the only way we can ever compete on the international market and also get due recognition for our hard work because we are just as good as everyone else out there, if not better.

The stakeholders, as far as local dancehall is concerned, need to make sure that we give real talent a chance when you see it and not not who the person is or where they are from. We have a lot of talent locally and I think it's about we started getting our due respect, regionally and internationally.

ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR ASPIRING MUSICIANS?
The first thing is and will always be discipline and secondly, if you abuse drugs you will never know peace. Drugs and sex will never take you anywhere that you want to go. To the girls, my message is the same, once you find yourself sleeping with the producer or the promoter for favours, no good can ever come out of that.
Let us value our work and our bodies as well, let us learn from those who came before us.

HAVE WE SEEN THE BEST OF YOU YET?
Whenever i step in the studio i always try to do the best that I can. You have and will continue seeing (if not hearing) and to be where I am at right now you have to believe that you are the best.

WHAT CAN YOUR MULTITUDE OF FANS EXPECT FROM YOU?
Maffcat real fans should expect 'maad works' from singles ,videos to more collaborations. You can expect Maffcat to also be a regular at award shows from now on, maAwards tikumatora! chii chingatimise ivo Mwari vakati I am the best?!