Kanto Dem: A silent superstar

By Richard Tentone

My love for dance-hall music grew when I stole Kanto Dem's music. I had taken his laptop on the pretext that I fix it and him, Kanto Dem, being all respectful and down to earth, trusted me with his "first wife" as he calls the tiny laptop.

I took the laptop, did the promised work and as soon as I was done I delved into the music folder and took straight to his album titled Reggae Love with songs such as Mudiwa Wakakosha, Ndichakumirira, Zuva Rovira, Mwana Wamambo, Sei Wakaenda,

Kanto was born Lloyd Dzenga in 1989. He attended Zimphos Primary in Msasa and Cranborne Boys High.

According to Kanto the musical blood started flowing in his veins in 2006 while still at Cranborne High. They used to bunk lecturers and go to the Art Room to play Diwali and other riddims on the desks. "Everything was just nice," he recalls.

After high school Kanto went to Chinhoyi University of Technology for a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Creative Art and Design.

"Thats where things got crazy. I had to mobilize other artists on campus whenever the Student Representative Committee (SRC) was hosting a gig. They, the SRC, would ask me for artists to perform alongside other visiting artists. For instance in 2011 when Winky D came to CUT, I introduced Silva Manarchy and Madzitatiguru. And Jerry B also known as Mukanya had the opportunity to play too.

"I even performed at Spring Valley and CSC Clubs in Chinhoyi. From those experiences Kanto Dem's performance was perfected. I got so much exposure and experience.

"In 2010 I had started making beats with the help of Madzitatiguru's "Tati's" laptop. Tati sacrificed his time on the laptop for me to learn and practice using Fruity Loops. My first producer and mentor is Longman, real name Tinei Maforo. He taught me Cubase and producing music. I never looked back.

I asked Lloyd what motivates him.

“I'm motivated by the life I'm living, things around me, events that unfolds, any situation and the instinct and desire to do music.

Asked how many songs or albums he has done to date, Kanto said he made over a 1000 songs.

“Most of the songs got lost through computer crashes but I can say through online storage I have over  100 songs safely stored.

“I have done four albums to date which includes  Myself,  Zvakarongeka, Reggae and Love and currently working on Another Life which has 10 tracks.

 Another Life comprises songs such as Mama, Baba, Kushanda, Moyo Nechiso, Ndakurarama Hupenyu (Another Life), Mukadzi Rudzii and Candice.

Kanto’s music used to get airplay through DJ Smiley on PowerFM before Smiley's show was taken offline.

“I had my videos played on Zimdancehall To The World TV Show and this show has helped me and the artists I have worked with. Provided your music is quality and within the dance-hall genre,  Zimdancehall To The World can give you airplay for free.

I asked Kanto his take on the music industry.

"The music industry continue to suffer as promoters continue to overlook upcoming artistes in favour of established artistes and by so doing the upcoming artistes are therefore neglected in terms of recognition, participation and access to platforms to showcase talent.

"The other thing is some producers do not want to work with others to develop the industry and by so doing we end up working in isolation. Be that as it may, “when the desirable is not available make the available desirable and it works".

Asked what he would do  if he bumps into a million bucks whether through Lotto or sheer luck, Kanto had the following to say,

“I will build a mansion for mum and make sure she lives the life and lastly improve my studio by acquiring state of the art studio equipment.

Kanto is the founder and Executive Producer at Eye C Records and has made great videos such as Dee Rhymz's Huya Kwandiri, Rebo Dee's Kundidira Magitare, Santo Killers' Kuzvifonera and Rude King's Nyatsondicherechedza.

Kanto Dem has also produced a couple of riddims including Bounce Back and Letter to Mama. You can get a feel of his music on Soundcloud and Reverbnation under Kanto Dem or request the music through Whatsapp on 0775096821.