A new songstress is born

By Richard Tentone

Some births are worthy to be celebrated whilst others we just pause, say congrats and move on with our lives as if nothing has happened. A contemporary artist, by the name Lisa, is born. Her vocal prowess is exceptional; she can dabble in Afro jazz, dance-hall, hip-hop and rap to name a few.  Our writer, Richard “Richo” Tentone caught up with Lisa in the ghetto and the following ensued.

Richo: Hello Lisa, how are you doing?

Lisa: I’m very well and you, sir?

Richo: Very well too. Without wasting your time, I have come to talk to you after hearing your song Ndakakosha. I listened to the lyrics and the vocals and couldn’t believe we had such talent in Mabvuku.

Lisa: Mabvuku is the birthing place for great talent in all forms of art Mr. Richo. Great artists were born and raised here and when fame took over they deserted the ghetto and all its glamour.

Richo: Really.

Lisa: Yes. So what can I do for you sir?

Richo: I have a few questions for you. (She nods in agreement). Who is Lisa?

Lisa: My name is Lisa Chinake, the first born in a family of five. I was born on the 4th of August in 1994.  Born and raised in Mabvuku.

Richo: When did you start singing?

Lisa: I started singing since I was a kid but I started recording in 2012.

Richo: What genre do you sing?

Lisa: I sing R'n'B, dancehall and Afro Jazz. I actually did some Afro jazz tracks back in 2012 and I think I did well. And then after that I met these guys; Double J, TLB and Fleming whilst I was in the studio and they asked me to drop a chorus on their R’n’B track and I did it quite well. From then on I did R’n’B songs. I had never done a dancehall track till I met this amazing guy Lloyd Dzenga also known as Kanto Dem who persuaded me to do this dancehall track ''Let's Have Some Fun''. He was like why don't we call u 'Lisa Hot'' kkkk and I was like ''mmm well, why not''. And that’s how I got the name Lisa Hot.

Richo: Its funny how people get names huh? The famous Four Brothers got their name the same way. They were four guys doing good music without necessarily thinking of a name and when they recorded their debut album, the producer asked them for a name and they had none. So the producer said from now on you are known as Four Brothers. And they said but we are not brothers! And the producer said "who cares?" The Four Brothers were born.

Lisa: (She chuckles) Very funny isn’t it?

Richo: Indeed it is. So what is your dream?

Lisa: I love music so my dream is to be an internationally recognized artist. I would also want to be someone's role model helping those who are in need.

Richo: How many songs and albums have you done to date?

Lisa: I haven’t done any album yet but I do have some singles. I did this track ''My Radio'' featuring Fundreezy, the song recorded and mastered at Motion Beats Studios. Its a dance song and I think its a song one should listen to. It all about appreciating the radio and describing the effects it has on me. Fundreezy helped in spicing up the song, which he did well. I also give credit to Motion Beats who mastered the song zviribho. I also did the ''Ndakakosha'' track at Eye C Records. Its an R’n’B song and I also give credit to Mr. Kanto Dem who mastered the song. Both songs; Ndakakosha and Lets Have Some Fun were done at Eye C Records. Ooh and there is this song, ''Kuchibhorani'' featuring Davy, haisati yabuda but one should look forward to it you know. (She giggles invitingly) There are other singles I did back then but for now ngatimboita neandataura iyaya.

Richo: Have you done any videos yet?

Lisa: Not yet but soon I guess.

Richo: Are you scared of doing videos or financial issues?

Lisa: I’m not scared of doing videos. I have been in videos for a while. I have featured in Dee Rhymz’s  Huya Kwandiri and Rebo Dee’s Kundidira Magitare videos. I have got tremendous exposure and experience that will be valuable in my own works. I have also been in the camera since inception of Celebrity TV show and being in the video is becoming a part of me, a dream come true. Perhaps I can agree on the financial problems to some extent but I can do more with less or available resources and networks.

Richo: Who is your role model, the person who inspires you and challenges you to keep on working hard?

Lisa: My mom is my role model. I follow her steps. She is actually the one who encouraged me to start doing music. I’m also challenged by Oprah Winfrey.

Richo: What challenges are you facing as a musician?

Lisa: Money makes life easier, so financial problems is really a big challenge in my musical career.

Richo: Have you ever performed on a live show?

Lisa:  Yah I once performed live at a hip-hop tour in Mabvuku. I also performed at Mabvuku hall and trust me, preforming live is really not an easy thing especially in Mabvuku. Eish!

Richo: Who would you want to share the stage with and perform side by side?

Lisa:  Well I would really love to sing with Ngoni Kambarami, Elliot, Chengeto Brown, Fungisai, Ammara Brown, Tererai, Roki and Pauline. I think these guys are really talented. For real. Fungisai managed to switch to dancehall and that shows real talent.

 Richo: Is your music receiving airplay?

Lisa: I haven’t been played on the radio yet but I’m looking forward to it.

Richo: Are there any companies or people helping you to promote your music stuff?

Lisa: For now there are no companies helping to promote my music but Kanto Dem is helping a lot.

Richo: any challenges you are facing in the music industry?

Lisa: The music industry in Zimbabwe ma1. There are some talented people out there who are not recognized and that’s area that really needs a great improvement. And you know dancehall, its all about dissing and dissing and dissing.

Richo: Apart from music what else do you do?

Lisa: Well, there is this show called Celebrity TV, a platform where we get to interview different talented people and um the host for the show. So I am also a presenter. Besides being the face of the show I’m also the corporate communications officer of the non-profit Celebrity Arts Trust.

Richo: Thank you so much Lisa for your time. I believe in your talent and I think you have all it takes to be the next superstar seeing that we have great talent in Zimbabwe yet no single person, in the ladies category, can be referred to as the Queen of Music. Perhaps that title will be conferred on you. (she laughs) And by the way, is Lisa in a relationship?

Lisa: I am very single and not searching.

Richo: How could that be?

Lisa: Oh come on. What’s the matter with you?

Richo: (With palm raised.) No offence. Thank you so much Lisa. I enjoyed our time together and look forward to dancing to your new songs. Hope you will send me the track Kuchibhorani.