As a younger brother to the rapper Begotten Son, Karizma was exposed to a wide range of hip-hop artists as a teenager. He is now back in Zimbabwe after almost 12 years of living in the UK and is ready to claim his space in the local hip-hop tapestry.
We recently sat down with the rapper and as we discussed his history and his career plans it became obvious to us that this is one emcee who isn’t going away anytime soon.
How old are you and long have you been rapping?
I’m 28 years old and I started rapping when I was 12 years old. The first song I ever recorded was done in London and it featured Begotten Son, Alka Nemo and Whiz Kid.
Where did you go to school?
For primary I went to North Park Primary School and then in high school I went to Vainona High School before we moved to the UK when I was 16 years old.
Besides being a rapper, I understand you have also directed several music videos? Can you tell us about the video projects you have worked on?
I shot the following music videos for Tehn Diamond: “Lord knows”, “Forever Here” and “Be Amazing” (a simple but creative video in which the only props are burning candles placed on CDs). I also shot a video for Tehn Diamon, Jnr Brown and Herbie Dangerous for a song called “I Need”. I have also done my own videos; “No Defeat”, “Summer 011” and “Tear It Up”.
What projects have you released prior to your return to Zimbabwe?
I recorded and released my first album “The Pen and Lighter” a few years before I went onto drop my first mixtape entitled “No Guts No Glory Vol 1.” I am now in the process of working on my next mixtape “No Guts No Glory Vol 2.” Some of the songs that I have on the upcoming mixtape feature the likes of Tehn Diamond, Munetsi, Jnr Brown, Jnr Banton. I also have a song called “Tsvarakadenga” with BKay & Kazz back to back with TK Paradza. This will be the first single to be released from the mixtape and it will be one of the many songs which will have music videos.
When can we expect “No Guts No Glory Vol 2.” to be launched onto the market?
I don’t think I can give a firm date, but I can say that the album will definitely be released within the next few weeks. Apart from collaborating with several other emcees on the album, I also worked with numerous producers including: Yuji Dojo, FTR, Phat Phat, Dutch, Rhymez and Gobbla. The variety of sounds will definitely strengthen the project and I also experimented with a bit of Shona to see how it flows. I don’t like to take myself too seriously so making this project was fun.
Where do you see Zimbabwean hip-hop going?
I think the future is very bright and for the longest time, success has been coming our way. I see a lot of people working hard and the quality of music, videos and the game as a whole is improving. I feel as though I came back to Zimbabwe at just the perfect time because now things are coming together.
Thank you for sharing with us Karizma. How can those who want to find you contact you?
My online presence is on three sites and these include: www.facebook.com/karizmamusic, www.soundcloud.com/itskarizma, and on Twitter you can find me with the name: itskarizma. For those who would like to see me live, I perform at the monthly Zwagga Nights that are held at Up On The Roof at Travel Plaza in Harare.
