By Takawira Photoveteran Unlimited
At just 14 years old, Afro Hip Hop sensation Allan Nyashanu Midzi—known by his stage name, Lil Dreay—is already making waves in the local music scene, and he’s doing it with a mix of rhythm and responsibility.
The Glen Norah teen is drawing a crowd at his home, where he’s built a backyard gym and his own recording studio, Chamzacee Recording Studio, transforming his space into a creative hub for his peers.
Born on May 29, 2009, in Glen Norah, Harare, Midzi’s musical journey started long before his demo hit the airwaves.
At the age of seven, he became captivated by the sound of jazz, spending countless hours strumming an acoustic guitar that belonged to Nhapi, a self-taught jazz guitarist from Glenview 3.
Using his mother’s phone, Midzi would secretly record his songs like “French Kiss,” “Easy,” and “Feel My Pain,” sharing them on social media under the moniker Lil Dreay—much to his parents’ surprise.
But it wasn’t long before his talent caught the attention of some of Zimbabwe’s musical legends. Tryson Chimbetu, of the Marxist Dendera Kings Band, was so impressed by Midzi’s raw skill that he gifted him an electric guitar.
Jazz legend David Bhika followed suit, donating his treasured Yamaha 12-string guitar to the young artist. These generous gifts fueled Midzi’s passion and pushed him further into the world of music.
While music has been Midzi’s dream, he’s also become a positive influence on his community. His backyard gym—built with the help of his elder brother Mukoma Bvirarira, who is based in the UK—has become a safe space for local teens.
The gym is now a hotspot for young people, keeping them physically active and away from the dangers of drugs and substance abuse.
Bvirarira, who is heavily involved in the gym’s operations, explained how it’s making a difference. “Drug abuse is easy to tackle by simply being socially close to the youth.
The more time you spend with them, the more you understand their habits and aspirations. I’ve realized that African youths are fortunate because they’re not as exposed to drugs as their peers in other parts of the world.”
Bvirarira also stressed the importance of parents identifying and nurturing their children’s talents early on.
“What we sometimes see as mischief may actually be an expression of their potential. As parents, it’s crucial to recognize and support their interests before jumping to conclusions,” he said.
Midzi’s mother, Pamela, is proud of the way the gym has brought the community together. “It’s heartwarming to see so many teens coming to our home, working on their physical health in an era where drug abuse is rampant,” she said.
“Sadly, some kids have fallen into addiction, and it pains us. But we believe that raising a child is the responsibility of the entire community.”
Pamela is also excited about Midzi’s musical progress and has appealed for donations of musical instruments—such as brass, saxophones, trumpets, and trombones—since local musician Baltimore Mudepu has volunteered to provide free music lessons to Midzi.
With his recording studio, backyard gym, and a growing fanbase, Midzi is more than just a rising star in music—he’s become a beacon of hope for the youth in his community.
Whether on stage or in the gym, Allan Nyashanu Midzi is proving that talent and determination can help reshape the future for many young Zimbabweans.
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