Even some of the country’s most celebrated artists, like Khiama Boys leader, Nicholas Zacharia, have been known to keep their day jobs, yet they could have lived on their talents and even struck it rich in other parts of the world.
However, Methuselah Mpofu is one of those out to become living testimony that there is not only survival, but also success in hit-making.
The Kwekwe-born Moyo (30) broke into the industry 17 years ago, as a bass guitarist for former musical great, Andy Brown. His talents recognized by many other local artists, he also played for Jazz musician Bob Nyabinde and high-flying local gospel music couple Charles and Olivia Charamba.
“I realised that with much dedication and effort, I could make a living through music, but I did not want to continue being part of the guitar playing lot, so when I got the chance, I ventured behind the scenes,” he told The Zimbabwean this week. “In 2000, fortune struck when I was called in for a studio engineering job in Pretoria with a local studio, Ekukhanyeni, and that was the beginning of my long relationship with engineering.”
Having mastered the trade and acquired the experience over a decade, Mpofu left to join Turbo Lounge, a highly-respected South African studio renowned for its top quality sound, expert recording and appetizing productions. He worked for them as a producer and sound engineer for a year.
In 2011, determinated to stand on his own feet, Mpofu headed to Johannesburg where started his own venture – Vint Productions.
“I had already equipped myself with professional qualifications long before I even went to Ekukhanyeni, having acquired a Diploma in Auto Electric engineering in 1999,” he said. “I have my own business now, but that does not meant I have to sit back and relax. So I am studying for a musicology degree with Unisa. I also double as a gospel jazz singer.
“I grew up in a musical family and was groomed by Zimbabwean gospel legend, Brian Sibalo and Brown, who are now both late,” added Mpofu. “Sibalo taught me the art of gospel music, while Brown showed me jazz fusion and contemporary music. If it wasn’t for these two greats, I would not have achieved anything in this tough industry. Their death has robbed me of two great mentors, but what remains now is for me to carry the torch.”
As a way of showing his posthumous appreciation to his two mentors, Mpofu is working on a tribute project for them.
“I can produce any kind of music, but I believe that to stand on its own against other nations, Zimbabwe needs good instruments and qualified sound engineers and producers. I am in the process of trying to open my own music marketing company with branches in my home town Kwekwe as well as Harare,” he said.
Post published in: Africa News