During the just ended Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) local and international artists descended on Harare to show case their talent. (Pictured: Hope Masike talks about art, God and embarrassing moments)
Among the artists was rising local musician, Hope Masike, who proved her name among the greats with a superb stage act. As an afro rhythm musician, the mbira-playing songbird started doing professional music three years ago, joining a field already filled with stars like Chiwoniso Maraire and Rute Mbangwa. A staunch Christian, Masike, who has always had a passion for art, believes in Pauls letter to the Corinthians that says: Every situation happens for a reason. As any other woman musician I have faced challenges, but I learnt to turn them into opportunities because I believe they were for a reason.
Instead of trying to fit into the shoes of other stars, Masike said she made her own shoes and was fitting in them well. She has just graduated from the Zimbabwe College of Music after three years of studying ethnomusicology, and is now aiming towards a Bachelors Degree in Jazz with the same institute. A holder of a fine art qualification, a textile designer and painter, Masike says she has always been an artist, drawing inspiration from God and everything that He created. Everything that God put on earth can inspire, and my most recent inspiration after HIFA is Salif Keita and Yasus Afari because everything he sings has a bearing to what happens in our daily life, she said.
Yasus is a Jamaican dub poet and Salif is a Malian music star. Both of them performed at this years HIFA. Out of the inspiration from Yasus, she has written, for her second album, a dancehall song, which might come as a surprise to her afro rhythm music fans. The forthcoming album, yet to be named, is set for release before the end of this year and Hope says it is going to have various classes of songs, from Mozambican vibes to afro jazz. Speaking of piracy, Masike said it could not be stopped completely, but could only be minimised by awareness strategies. She urged Zimbabwean musicians to seek other methods of making money out of their music other than CD sales.
In other countries it is no longer CD sales that sustain the musician, they (CDs) are now used just as promotional material for gigs and collaborative shows, she said. As message to the women who are aiming to become musicians, Masike had strong words. The earth is designed in such a way that everyone is a king or queen in their own way and like a piece in a puzzle, everyone has their slot to fit into so it is just about knowing which way you want to go. The race is up and one has to keep up with the pace, she said. Masike has a permanent slot at the Book Cafe every Tuesday from 8 to 10 pm and she sees herself earning a doctorate degree in music with Harvard institute. There is so much talent in Africa and I would like to tap into it she said.
Q and A with Masike
Which schools did you attend?
Regina Mundi and Mbizi Primary Schools In Highfield then I moved to Morray Primary in Bulawayo. For secondaer education I went to Danhiko Project in Msasa and for ALevel, I was at Malbereign Girls High School.
Tell us about your family
Our family is very big, there are nine of us. My mother passed away years ago, my father is a painter, doing it more as a hobby, and he has given a lot of support towards my career. I get the biggest support from the nine members of our family. I live with my family in Highfield.
Are you romantically involved at the moment?
I am not married, very single and enjoying it while it lasts and there are no plans yet. I am not very good with guys and to counter that I have learnt to focus more on what I am good at and that is art and music. However, I would like to have many kids because just like in our family of nine, I was never lonely when our mother passed away because there were so many people to talk to.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
Nothing to e-mail home about, it is hard for me to separate work and leisure. I enjoy watching inspirational movies like Avatar and reading the Bible and other moving books. I have always wanted to associate myself with educational things because I believe in the saying garbage in, garbage out.
What was your saddest moment?
When Sam Mtukudzi died, it was one of those moments where I asked myself the purpose of life when one has to die just like that.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I was performing in Mozambique when I spoiled my attire while on stage and I could not get off until I finished the song. I do not even know if the audience saw that but it was hard continuing to play.
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