My introduction to Urban Groove and Sanii Makhilama came through a love song called “Hakuna Mumwe”. I later found out that the track — listed under Urban Groove music genre — is popular in Zimbabwe. Urban Groove is best described as a blend of Pop, RnB, Hip Hop and Soul, infused with the notes from local indigenous musical instruments. Popular in Zimbabwe in the 1990s, Urban Groove has moved beyond just a Zimbabwean brand to a musical genre recognized in the Southern African region, as well as in the Diaspora.

I was able to track down and interview Sanii Makhilama, an artist popular within Zimbabwean Urban Groove circle. We got a chance to touch on many issues within the music industry. Enjoy the interview!

Did you always feel called to music?

Funny enough I knew I was always going to sing and become a recognized musician by grade seven in Zimbabwe but I didn’t know when or how that was going to happen. There are some callings in life that one can’t avoid no matter what.

How has your journey been so far?

The journey has been the most amazing. I’ve had many ups & downs, good times and bad times. But through all that I’ve come to understand myself better & I’ve gained a whole lot of experience in the 9 years (yes 9 nine years) that I’ve been doing this. Music is a great part of me that I enjoy sharing with the world at large.

Have you faced any challenges and how have you over come them?

I’ve faced so many challenges – For instance, getting the music out there, getting it heard was a real challenge. When we started DJ’s (disk jockey’s) didn’t believe in the music and the vision. Distribution entities wouldn’t give us the time of day and thus we had to sell music on the streets in Zimbabwe by hand. Can you imagine a situation where you write your music, you produce mix and master it, get the tapes made, you still have to market and sell your own cassettes on the roads? Without the now defunct flea markets, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Thank goodness for all the flea market owners that supported us when the “big guns” refused to listen to what we had. Today we are a force to reckon with and the “big guns” are all trying to sign us artists. As the saying goes “what goes around, comes around”.

What artists will you say are your music influences?

We are influenced by a lot of African and international artists, James Chimombe’s, Oliver Mtukudzi’s, Bhundu Boys that we grew up listening to as well as artists like Boyz II Men, Dru Hill’s & Jodeci’s, but our style is uniquely ours. Music is a circle, it’s continuous and doesn’t die, just like fashion. Today we listen to “sampled” music from international stars & producers who include Kanye West, Timbaland & Jay-Z. Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo, Usher, Chris Brown have all derived or rather been influenced by Michael Jackson. Music, Fashion and dance are eternal and cyclical.

How do you explain the mixture of love and gospel music that exists in your music?

That’s an easy answer, I use my talent to express my feelings, my emotions and what I am used to. I am a Christian and I have loved, love and will love. I have also experienced moments of sadness too as well and these realities are all expressed in my music. I do not think the music I write, sing and express is obscene and as a human being I’m allowed to express myself in the manner that I see fit at that moment in time.

We know you have a CD out right now – how is it doing in the market?

Acoustic – Wow Acoustic has been the greatest musical thing to happen to me. Mainly because it was a clear test of whether I could finally stand as my own producer, songwriter and Engineer without the assistance of my brother Delani. You could say that it’s the CD that says “Sanii, you can take the first step alone now”. It has done well for me and has opened up a lot of great opportunities which shall come to fruition this 2009 so watch this space.

Do you have any favorite tracks from that CD?

My favorite tracks are “Acoustic Love”, “Handimbokusiya”, “The 12 Minute Prayer”, “Sweet Lady”, “Iwewe”.

Do you have any plans to perform outside South Africa or Zimbabwe any time soon?

2009 is a year of exploration so I will definitely be performing outside South Africa and Africa as a whole. I will be seeing all of you all wherever you at!

What advice will you give others that want to go into music?

It’s really a lot of work but hang in there, the results eventually start showing themselves and practice, practice, practice. Success in life occurs at the point where opportunity meets preparation. Be prepared ALWAYS!!

This interview won’t be complete without talking about the current situation in your home country – Zimbabwe – do you have anything to say about the situation? your hopes and dreams for your country?

We are the masters of our own destiny and only we can solve the problems that we will like to see disappear. Like everything else in life, we have ups and downs and when you do fall, it’s not as important as how you get up. We are getting up and soon we’ll dust ourselves proudly. Soon!!!!

How has the situation affected your music?

Music is a luxury [in Zimbabwe] and that will explain why most of our music is now only available for the international market. It is quite unfortunate. Like everything else, music is a business and it also needs to make a profit to survive. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe and it’s current situation cannot even facilitate a break-even for the music thus it is quite unaffordable for the locals.

When I interview young artists from Zimbabwe, one of the themes I hear quite often is that there isn’t a strong support system for up coming musicians – was that the case for you?

You know what, I think those trying to make music should be grateful for the battles that has been fought for them. They should appreciate what they have now. For instance, there is a radio station now (Power FM) that is dedicated solely to Urban Groove music. When I started there was nothing like that, now they have award ceremonies that acknowledge our presence even though it’s skewed and very often the accolades given are questioned but hey, when I started 9-10 years ago this didn’t exist. They should stop complaining and utilize all these avenues to their advantage. We fought our own battles now it’s time they fight theirs and carve a name for themselves in history. Don’t give up, use your creativity.

Do you have any plans to resolve this?

It’s no longer my battle, I’ve served the Zimbabwean music industry wholeheartedly and I shall try to address whatever battles exist when I have conquered the ones that I’m going to face this 2009. The time has come for us to break out into Africa and the globe so that those following don’t fight the same battles we fought.

Extra:

I got a chance to listen to ‘Acoustic’ and I have to say that I am impressed with it. You can listen to samples of his work, click to listen on Reverbnation.

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