next big thing. “We started from
humble beginnings. It was all about
learning,
We were virgins in the business and
we had no idea where we were going
or how we were going to get there but
we were having fun and we were
learning-that’s all that counted.”
When they started they were
producing urban grooves and hiphop. “We were trying to make music
tailored for Zimbabwean peoplewhich in our first couple of years, we
failed miserably but we were learning
and we had fun…”, and that’s all that
counted.
Their first big project was Block 101
Volume one which was released in
2011, eight years after they had started
making music. This compilation
included the likes of Varaidzo, J Boss,
Shamz, Thari Khris, Tricky-T, Ta$h,
Codacane, Sio-P and a whole bunch
of other talented singers and rappers
who slowly making headway in the
industry today. In the past decade
Block 101 has worked with the likes
of Tererai Mugwadi, Taurayi
Mandebvu, Maskiri, Reckless
Damage and Sanii Makhalima.
“We’ve also worked with a lot of
small time artists who have built the
backbone of Block 101 music
production who Block 101 wouldn’t
be Block 101 without them.
Currently block 101 has two main
producers who are Evans Dube and
Brighton (Dexter). They also have a
lot of other producers who specialize
at different genres of music as well as
instrumentals such as PhroPhos.
Block 101 genres include R&B, hiphop, dub step, urban grooves,
dancehall and house. Their first major
breakthrough as a label was with
Varaidzo, the R&B singer. Currently
block 101 has two main producers
who are Evans Dube and Brighton
(Dexter). They also have a lot of other
producers who specialize in different
genres of music as well as
instrumentals such as PhroPhos.
Block 101 genres include R&B, hiphop, dub step, urban grooves,
dancehall and house. Their first major
breakthrough as a label was with
Varaidzo, the R&B singer.
“We started from
humble beginnings.
It was all about
learning,…..”
international markets.” He also
believes that our lack of production
schools such as degrees in Music
offered by schools such as Witts
University in South Africa and
Berkley in the USA is a major
“We are proud to call her a product of hindrance to our development.
Block 101 as we were the first to work “When one is learning about music
with her and develop her as an artist.” production in Zimbabwe, he learns
So where does Block 101 see
at home and uses pirated software
themselves in the years to come? “In
like Fruity loops,” says Evans.. “For
the future we are hoping to expand
the industry to grow it has to appeal
Block 101 beyond our borders and
to international markets.”
work with international artists like P
He also believes that our lack of
Square, D Banj, David Guetta and
Calvin Harris.” Their music has been production schools such as degrees
in Music offered by schools such as
getting international recognition
Witts University in South Africa
especially in the States by people in
and Berkley in the USA is a major
California. They have had
hindrance to our development.
collaborations with the Nigerian
“When one is learning about music
artist Mark Hayes and UK producer
production in Zimbabwe, he learns
Bill Van.
at home and uses pirated software
Evans’ thoughts on the music
like Fruity loops,” says Evans,
industry in Zimbabwe are, “The
“Because of our lack of international
challenge facing music producers in
standard in music production
Zimbabwe today is that we are
education, we fail to produce music
incompetent in comparison to
that is internationally recognised
international markets and
because it lacks the quality to get
international standards.” He adds on, there.”
“Our music is failing to make it
internationally and it only appeals to It is not all negative though. “We
local Zimbabweans. For the industry have managed to make reasonable
progress and we have stars like
to grow it has to appeal to
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