Now Black Bird (BB), real name Nonkululeko Vundla, has become a household name as a rapper-cum-radio host at Star FM.
Yeukai Moyo (YM) caught up with the multi-talented star who spoke on her transition from being the hard hitting vocals behind the beat to the mellow voice on the airwaves.
YM: It came as a surprise to many who knew you better as a female hip hop artiste when you became a radio personality. How did this happen?
BB: Well, I never really imagined that I would become a radio personality. I had tried to get on radio at the national broadcaster for a while, but it never worked out so I had given up on the idea. I studied journalism so I had a bit of knowledge on radio, but my focus was always on television production and new media. When I got the call to join Star FM, I felt honoured and I just knew I had to jump at it. It’s really exciting because if Angie Martinez (her American idol) could rock radio on Hot 97 as the Voice of New York, while also being a successful rapper, then I can and will do the same thing right here in Zim.
YM: How best can you describe your first day on air?
BB: It was 6am on Tuesday June 26. I remember being all nerves knowing that I was working alongside one of the biggest names in Zimbabwean media, such as Comfort Mbofana. I had never been a radio presenter and I started doubting whether I could do it. However my co-hosts Mbofs and Zam (Bongai Zamchiya) calmed me down. Eventually I got into the swing of things and started enjoying the experience. At certain points in the first show, I’d just go silent because I was afraid of appearing too talkative. But then as the show progressed I realised that’s what this job was about, Talking.I think my music has a specific type of impact on listeners because they will be enjoying the beat, the lyrical wordplay and the basic entertainment value of my music. Now when it’s Black Bird speaking on radio you get a whole lot of me, Nonku, the real person.My music has a lot of personal references, but with radio it’s really up close and personal. Listeners get to hear my humour, my dreams, my fears and my opinions.
YM: How has your experience as a musician helped you to become a radio host?
BB: As a rapper my freestyles are quite good, so that definitely comes in handy because I have the ability to speak off the cuff where necessary, while still making sense. Music also gave me an understanding of the microphone and above all it gave me the knowledge of how to use my voice for maximum effect. However, it’s actually my background as a TV producer and a Website Editor that made the transition to radio production much easier. Quality radio programming involves a lot of preparation and I’m very big on research and scripting because I had to write articles, scripts and schedules in my previous jobs. I love talking, but above all I love adding value by providing intelligent entertainment.
YM: Have you put your career path as a rapper on hold?
BB: My music will never be on hold because it’s a form of expression I’ve been using since I was a child. I may not be active on the live performance scene right now, but I will be soon. I’ve been working on new material in the studio and I’ve got a new single that played on Star FM for the first time last week on DJ Munya’s show. People can expect an extremely hot album early next year.It’s is going to be called “Black Excellence”.
YM: Life is always full of challenges, have you encountered any?
BB: The main one has been readjusting my body clock to wake up at 4am. The Breakfast Club was very demanding and leaving home while it was still dark was always difficult for me. Another challenge is that friends and associates think I’ve switched allegiance because I don’t give them special favours by giving them interviews or airplay. One really close friend of mine ‘disowned’ me because I wouldn’t get him on radio. People don’t understand that this is my job, so I only give shine to people who warrant it who have brands that listeners can identify with. It’s been hard being seen as the enemy in some people’s eyes and I have heard rumours saying that saying Black Bird hasn’t done anything for the hip-hop movement as they had expected me to.
Post published in: Arts