Zim kwaito stars shine in the UK - Interview with Xolani Nqo

"We have never been good at following the norm. We don't follow trends nor feel the need to fit in. Neither are we worried about a target audience as our demographics are unknown but what we do know is everyone loves something that reminds them of home. New age kwaito is our own translation of the music we grew up on."

WHILE everybody else chases trending music genres such as dancehall, rap, hip-hop, jazz and house amongst others, two adventurous United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean kwaito stars are making waves in the European nation through kwaito - a genre which is almost fading back in Africa - and they seem determined to cling to the flickering music genre.

This week Bulawayo24 News caught up with the duo of Xolani Nqo and Xavier marshal the megastars behind new age kwaito. Below are excerpts of the interview between Byo24 News (BN) and Xolani Nqo (XN):

BN: So whose is Xolani Nqo?

XN: Xolani Nqo aka King Xoli is the unapologetic self-crowned Ndebele rapper from Sogwala Lower Gweru. OfishalXavier, my colleague is a man of many talents. He is an actor, director, song writer, promoter and DJ.

BN: For how long have you been in the UK and how did you relocate from Zimbabwe?

XN: We've both been in the UK for approximately 16 years. We arrived here as kids due to family relocation like most. Xavier was born in South Africa and raised in Bulawayo. I, Xolani Nqo was born in Gweru raised in Sogwala, Lower Gwelo.

BN: Have you always been doing music as a duo? What's the name of your outfit and when was it established?

XN: We've always been good friends. It feels more like a brotherhood now being a music duo is just a bonus. Before the music we founded an events promotion company Fishatainment - which is now the stable for our music. The music came about after Xavier heard my freestyle.  He encouraged me to do more and assisted me to put together a solo project entitled 'In my 25th hour'.  As a duo we are just know by our individual names OfishalXavier and Xolani Nqo.

BN: Do you have any known tracks under your belt?

XN: Under our belt as a duo we only have one single. #CYB Check Your Balance featuring Dotstar who has and a growing audience in the UK with hits like Stick Up and Tatted Up which featured Young Money's Tyga.
#CYB was well received in the UK African music scene, with the Britain's Got Talent dancing trio making a dance for the trendy track Launched on the London based radio station Bang Radio.

BN: Any key highlights of your music career?

XN: As a duo we are just getting started. Two singles in, with single number 2 being only 3 days old and we have already shared the stage with megastars like Aka and Cassper Nyovest. On Friday last week we performed at the Zim Achievers Awards.  We have also performed at a sold out show for the launch of #CYB which was held in Birmingham.

BN: Tell us briefly about your new single Skorokoro


XN: Skorokoro is pretty self-explanatory really. Drawing inspiration from our personal lives. Skorokoro is about driving a car on its last legs. Targeted at anyone who can relate to ghetto life.

BN: How big is your audience in the UK and does Kwaito have a following there?

XN: We have never been good at following the norm. We don't follow trends nor feel the need to fit in. Neither are we worried about a target audience as our demographics are unknown but what we do know is everyone loves something that reminds them of home. New age Kwaito is our own translation of the music we grew up on.

BN: Give us a parting shot. Where can fans find your music?

XN: Would like to shout out to all our fans and thank you for listening to our music. Our new single Skorokoro is a must-listen for all. Get it from iTunes, Spotify, Google play, Tidal and Deezer.

BN: Thank you for taking us briefly through your music career and all the best in your endeavors.

Skorokoro will be available for download on Beats98.com