Energetic performer Blessing Chimanga aka Bled will this moth be celebrating 10 years in the music industry.
Though he has not won a lot of accolades at platforms such as ZIMA or NAMA, he is one of the most dedicated musicians regards the training of aspiring musicians from kindergarten level to the most senior f individuals you can think of.
The lad who has traveled almost all the continents on the globe because of his musical gift will host a two-day fete at The Reps Theatre from October 18-19 to celebrate a decade in the game.
Bled will be dazzling music lovers with the assistance of artistes he has worked with in the past 10 years.
These include Zolani Mahola, Masa, Hope Masike, Ashley Zuva and Lady Tshawe amongst many others.
Zimbo Jam caught up with the ‘Maruva Enyika’ singer and he shared with us 10 moments from his career thus far.
How have been the last ten years for you in music?
The last 10years have been very interesting. One major thing I can mention about this 10 year journey is I have managed to discover who I am. I have managed to discover my strength and weaknesses, my sound and the factors that make me Bled on stage.
I have also managed to start a number of concepts such as ‘Let the drums speak’ and ‘Dreams marimba camp’.
When did you actually start and have you achieved the things you had earmarked?
I actually started plus 10 years ago. I believe I was born a musician and I just had to wait for some years for the manifestation to happen just like Jesus. He was born already a King but it took him a while to start operating in his full gifting.
By the time I was grade four in the year 2000 I was already playing piano that I had self-taught myself and at the same time I started playing drums in church. By the time I got to high school in 2004, the music was already in me.
I then started playing in the Prince Edward School Jazz band and since then my music career started to blossom.
By 2007 I was already performing with other musicians such as Sam Mtukudzi, Chiwoneso, and Hope Masike. in 2009 I hosted my first solo production which was titled “Let the Drums Speak” and this is when I would showcase my drum skills and share my music. Fast-forward to 2015, I released my first album titled Dreams and 2018 I released my second album titled Tose.
What are some of the highlights of your 10 years?
I have been to over 20 countries in 10years.
Something I never imagined would happen to me.
I have performed and had lunch with the Prince of Chennai. I performed right at his palace.
I have represented Zimbabwe in a number of exchange programmess and artist’s residence such as Onebeat music in USA, Kunzwana project in Austria, Umoja in Mozambique and Iomma music market in Reunion Island.
I have performed in front of presidents and important delegations such as the FIFA general assembly.
I have taught over 20 school bands in Zimbabwe and internationally. I have coached marimba students and won a couple of awards both local and international.
Not forgetting the biggest crowd, I have performed for. A huge 60000 in Indonesia.
What is the lowest moment in your career thus far and why?
My lowest moment was to perform for an empty audience in one of the cities here in Zimbabwe and it was both my fault and the venue as we did not put enough energy and strength in the marketing. This taught me that I am responsible for marketing my shows.
Besides Maruva Enyika most of your songs never went mainstream does this affect you as you make fresh music?
Well I believe in everything happening at the right time. For starters I never imagined that Maruva would go mainstream but thankful it did and at the right time.
So I think I have been confident to know that at the right time, the music will land in the right ears and become mainstream.
I am not affected to make new music as I don’t make music only to make it in the mainstream but I make music even to speak only to one person.
As a musician when you create the songs you never know which one people will take in the mainstream so it’s better to keep creating. So I’m never really affected at all.
What’s the greatest lesson you have learnt in the past 10 years?
Hard work pays! Work hard on your craft, put in the time and effort and it will pay off.
Secondly, relationships with people in the community and everywhere you go are important. Everyone in this world is important and they have keys to certain doors you need opened in life. So always treat people well. Stay calm, humble and collective.
The two-day fete – what’s the objective?
The objective is to celebrate 10 years of Bled in a unique way. Doing one night was going to be ordinary and so we thought of bringing up the challenge to make them two nights. We also hoping for a huge turn out and this way it means we can cater for everyone.
How did you select the artists that you are performing with?
I selected artists that I have worked and walked with over the 10-year journey. None of those artists are on the lineup just because. All of them have a strong history and story with me. All of them have contributed so much to my career thus far. With all of them we come far. We have seen things together, most of them even walked the journey with me when I was nothing.
Marriage now is in the picture how does this affect your musical mission?
Marriage has not affected anything really. If anything it has brought favour with it. Musically it has actually brought more inspiration to know that the one I am with supports me 100%. I have one fan already before the whole world even supports.
What’s the plan from now going forward?
The plan now is to continue growing. Taking over the global market, continue making quality music that will attract the kind of jobs, festivals, performances that we want.
I am working on strengthening my international management to help me with pushing the administration side of my work while I focus on the creative side.
Moving forward I need to continue to inspire the next generation of musicians through deliberate workshops, seminars, and camps.
I want to leave a legacy – make sure I have shared and mentored the next generation. Success for me will not be to be known by a million people but to change lives for the better.
I also want to know push my brand to make it more attractive for endorsements and brand ambassador work for different organisations locally and internationally.
Lastly, I am going to work even more harder to make sure my dream to win a Grammy Award is going to come to pass.
