By Takawira Photoveteran Dapi
Nicholas Mazvaza, known in the industry as Nixas, is unique in that he sings in five languages.
But this artiste – who uses Shona, Zulu, Ndebele, Xhosa, Igbo and English – has remained modest, labelling himself an upcoming musician despite having been in the limelight for seven years now.
Nixaz holds a Higher National Diploma in Surveying and Geomatics.
I recently met him when he performed at the Jameson Hotel’s iconic hangout, The Usual Place.
“The reasons some of my works do not go viral a lot is maybe because of lack of finance to market my music on digital platforms like how most artists are now doing,” he said.
“Other reasons could be that my live gigs are in Harare and a few in Bulawayo and the diaspora.
“It is now time for me to concentrate on performing in the remote venues, though it is expensive to travel with my band and kit. It hard again to launch my new music at which pulls a spending music clientele like at HICC, hence creating a following after meeting them there though my music often plays on TVs and radios.”
Born Nicholas Mazvazva on 02 May 1994, the singer detailed his personal and music journey.
Despite holding a Higher National Diploma in Surveying and Geomatics qualification, Nixaz is yet to find his breakthrough in music.
“It is now time for me to concentrate on performing in the remote venues, though it is expensive to travel with my band.
“My tag name and band are Nixaz and The Oceanic Breeze Band, we are into Afro-Contemporary Jazz, Afro Traditional, Afro Soul, Afro Pop, Afro Fusion, Reggae and Blues music genre.
“I started my music career in 2018, though I recorded my first album, ‘WeGolide’ in 2019.
“Last November, 2023 I launched a Zimbabwean traditional love song called Mukaranga.
“I am an upcoming artist for the past seven years with two albums, a six track ‘WeGolide’ and a 10 track album called ‘Chipo Changu/Isipho Sami’.
“Four singles, and five videos for tracks called, ‘Hande Kumba’, ‘WeGolide’, ‘Sango’, ‘Ukasha’ and ‘Corona Yarwadza’.
“I am now working on a new single to be released soon,” said Nixaz.
“I am not popular in the streets, but I do perform at many corporate functions and private events because I speak and sing in many languages that include Shona, Ndebele, Zulu, Xhosa, Igbo. English and more, that is why I thrill my fans of any music genre with my super polished band,” he said.
Nixaz, who is also a Mbira and shakers player lead vocalist and choreographer added:
“Though I am still an upcoming artist I have gained experience that I want to impart to artists against drug and substance abuse. Dress like an artist not a cattle herder even in animal husbandry there is a dress. Again, practice and produce own sound.
“Again, let us stop unnecessary social media drama to market our music but maintain our brands that is your capital.
“Let’s not drink and drive, let’s be licenced dirvers and stop child abuse and domestic violence. I also would want to Sir Wicknell Chivayo, for assisting artists he has hoisted the Zimbabwean flag high.
“As artists we also need to collaborate with international artists to take our music outside borders like what promoters Chipaz Promotions, Chesology, Jah Prayzah and Fantan do,” he said.
As a parting shot, Nixaz urged fellow artists to join music associations of their choice such as Zimbabwe Union of Musicians, Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, Creative Arts Union, Trade Union for Music and Arts Industry as well as Zimbabwe Young Influencers.
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