NEWS | MUSIC

By Blessings Mtika

In a Malawian setting, it takes a more than a brave heart to go against your parents’ will. Various M-Dubz’ youngsters have witnesses their promising talents being nipped in the bud courtesy of trying to ‘satisfy’ the wishes of their guardians.

Many are times when Malawian youths have no control of what they want to do in their latter lives as parents or guardians do force the former into pursuing a certain course of life (against the youngsters’ wishes of course).

That, however was not the case with one of the M-Dubz’ revered recording artists, Zephy Mr Oldies, the brains behind Green Jamz Nation studio-cum-record label.

Unlike other youngsters of his age then, Zephy defied the odds by going against his mother’s wishes upon completion of his secondary education.

“I have always been into music since time immemorial. When I had completed my secondary school education, my mind was to be music….of course this didn’t please my mother. However, I had to go against her wishes. I had to create my future,” he reminisces.

The genesis

It was in 2006 that the-then young Zephy got curious with the computer. By and by, he started testing his dexterity in the music production via his mom’s gadget.

“I started producing music back in 2006 when I was staying in Lilongwe. By then, I had no computer and no studio so I could use my mum’s computer as well as my bedroom as a studio booth. She was skeptical about it but years later, she accepted it.” Narrated Oldies

The Exodus

Latter years saw Zephy relocating to the Green City, Mzuzu. It is here that Zephy, the current Zephy was to be synonymous with music countrywide.

“I put up a small booth in MchengaUtuba, but by then it was regarded as one of the biggest studios here up north. Although I was new in the city, my work manifested itself and artists started following me to my place.” revealed Oldies.

True to that, little known artists started making headlines all courtesy of the midas touch of Zephy Mr oldies. Lady Pace, K Man, BLackfAce Family’s Twiggy, just but a few, all these came into the lime light via Zephy’s doors.

Although his name was becoming popular by each passing day, Zephy was not yet convinced he was there yet. So, in 2011, enough was more than necessary. He trekked down south.

By then, he already had a Diploma in Information Communication Technology from National College Of information and Technology (NACIT). So, whilst in Mzansi, Zephy studied Media technology, a programme that partially tackled music.

As part of academic issues, he worked at bigger studios and worked with established music artists of various genres. The late Dumisani Masilera who was an actor in Rhythm city soap as well as a singer who also contested at Idols, the late Mandoza, Zora, Don K from Democratic Republic of Congo, and Shizzy from Nigeria just to mention a few, were some of the big guns he used to interact with almost on a daily basis.

The moment Zephy was in RSA brought so much insights into his blossoming career.

“Working with big artists stretched me to realize other parts within me that I could not have discovered if I did not travel. Traveling exposes you to new knowledge and evokes your visions to grow bigger” he explained

Harvesting season

East, west, home is best so goes the saying. Upon completion of his mission in the Rainbow Nation, Zephy had to return home.

“I always believe that the best contribution one makes is the contribution one makes to his own country. I had a mission and I had to fulfil it (back) home.”

Despite the vast knowledge and experience he borrowed from the Zululand, Oldies still decided to go low and build his empire to a place where he got his breakthrough; Mzuzu. And surprisingly, he planted his studio in the outer skirt of the city; deep inside Luwinga, a few meters away from Lupaso (as you are heading out of Mzuzu city heading towards Karonga direction).

“Whoever wants to find, you will find you. I put my studio in Mzuzu and far from town because I do not want disturbances. Even is South Africa, most studios are put outside town. This makes artists to be serious with their music because nobody would want to travel a long distance to do child’s games so it helps them to come with a purpose,” he lectures.

Since he worked in biggest studios in SA, the multitalented producer is still planning on adding more value to his studio by bringing more equipment.

“I’m not yet where I wanna be so my studio is gonna keep on growing. You know, technology keep on changing so I have to be moving with times,” he revealed.

A word to M-Dubz’ youths

Zephy is of the school of thought that talent goes hand-in-hand with education. His observation is that M-Dubz youngsters should continue chasing their dreams and at the same time “pushing their education too.”

“Go to school first, study hard and get your paper. Thereafter it’s when you can be fired up to chase your dreams!”

Adds he, “Passion, determination, commitment and loving what you do is a big push to accomplish your dreams!”