Entertainment / Music
'I break rules to swim with big fish' - NavySeal
19 Aug 2016 at 18:46hrs | Views
Navy Seal is a Bulawayo based hip-hop artist and a core member of the 2015 Zimbabwe Hip Hop award-winning group - Art Department ZW.
He has carved his own path with regards to Zimbabwean music and although he feels marginalised, Seal says that he has now coined his own way of doing things in order to swim along with the big fish.
The artist does not belong to any arts association or arts organisation and is not a registered promoter in his own right. He is just but a vibrant member of a musical group who has released a few official singles from 2013.
"I first released "Elevated," which got a fair airplay, then I followed with "The way", which featured both the Bulawayo and Harare based vocalists Ex Mile and Noxa, respectively. Then the third one was "Diplomatic", which featured Karma and Zimbabwean Hip-Hop award winning Trae Hung, both of them hailing from Harare.
However my fourth single "Bring it back" did not have much presence on radio.
Now I am back and I have dropped my latest "100 Dollar Bill" with a video after a very long spell, hence I am expecting positive outcomes" Navy said.
The music video "100 Dollar Bills" was shot and directed by Rasquesity Keaitse of Creative Pot and is featuring the producer and songwriter Phuthure Phil.
NavySeal as a recording artist is working with "Art Department ZW" which released its debut album in early 2015 titled "While You Were Sleeping."
The album is accompanied by two promotional music videos, which both won them the award for best group at Zimbabwe Hip-Hop Awards in Harare the same year.
The award winning 11track album was produced by different music producers, mixed and mastered by Navy Seal.
Art Department ZW is made up of three members, Navy Seal, Tone Lakeside and Robbie Illsicker. Although the group was originally formed in 2008, Seal joined it 2014.
"My vision is to be a household name with hip hop music, and make Zimbabwean hip-hop go global, through quality music and music videos, and performances," Seal said.
Despite the universal financial challenges faced by many artists, Seal says he also suffers a 'Bulawayo disease,' because of his proximity to the capital.
"My challenges thus far have always been accessing resources to publicity, especially as an artist based in Bulawayo.
"For example I have to go to Harare to get a radio interview and or submit CDs, which all is very vital in a music career, so far. I appreciate the support from Mcpotar run by Michael Mupotaringa for their unwavering support, they supported me from day one and never gave up even when there seemed to be as need," Seal said.
However in the face of adversity, Seal says all that does not hinder him and his group from working. "We will do with what we have and keep moving on in our own way," he continued.
The artist can be followed using the same name across all social networks and for bookings email: bookingnavysealzw@gmail.com.
He has carved his own path with regards to Zimbabwean music and although he feels marginalised, Seal says that he has now coined his own way of doing things in order to swim along with the big fish.
The artist does not belong to any arts association or arts organisation and is not a registered promoter in his own right. He is just but a vibrant member of a musical group who has released a few official singles from 2013.
"I first released "Elevated," which got a fair airplay, then I followed with "The way", which featured both the Bulawayo and Harare based vocalists Ex Mile and Noxa, respectively. Then the third one was "Diplomatic", which featured Karma and Zimbabwean Hip-Hop award winning Trae Hung, both of them hailing from Harare.
However my fourth single "Bring it back" did not have much presence on radio.
Now I am back and I have dropped my latest "100 Dollar Bill" with a video after a very long spell, hence I am expecting positive outcomes" Navy said.
The music video "100 Dollar Bills" was shot and directed by Rasquesity Keaitse of Creative Pot and is featuring the producer and songwriter Phuthure Phil.
NavySeal as a recording artist is working with "Art Department ZW" which released its debut album in early 2015 titled "While You Were Sleeping."
The album is accompanied by two promotional music videos, which both won them the award for best group at Zimbabwe Hip-Hop Awards in Harare the same year.
Art Department ZW is made up of three members, Navy Seal, Tone Lakeside and Robbie Illsicker. Although the group was originally formed in 2008, Seal joined it 2014.
"My vision is to be a household name with hip hop music, and make Zimbabwean hip-hop go global, through quality music and music videos, and performances," Seal said.
Despite the universal financial challenges faced by many artists, Seal says he also suffers a 'Bulawayo disease,' because of his proximity to the capital.
"My challenges thus far have always been accessing resources to publicity, especially as an artist based in Bulawayo.
"For example I have to go to Harare to get a radio interview and or submit CDs, which all is very vital in a music career, so far. I appreciate the support from Mcpotar run by Michael Mupotaringa for their unwavering support, they supported me from day one and never gave up even when there seemed to be as need," Seal said.
However in the face of adversity, Seal says all that does not hinder him and his group from working. "We will do with what we have and keep moving on in our own way," he continued.
The artist can be followed using the same name across all social networks and for bookings email: bookingnavysealzw@gmail.com.
Source - Future Moyo aka Future