The Sunday Mail
THERE might be a vast number of instrumentalists on the local music scene, but only a few among them are exceptionally talented.
Most instrumentalists are popular for playing with big artistes and are usually associated with the brands of musicians they play for.
However, there are others who have created their own brands because of their special abilities on the instruments they play.
The likes of Sam Mataure, Clive Mono Mukundu and Vee Mukarati just to mention a few, are well recognised for their prowess on drums, guitar and saxophone respectively.
Sylent Nqo, real name Silence Nhendere, is another artiste who has establishing himself as one of the best guitarists in the land.
He was recently chosen alongside 29 other contestants to represent Zimbabwe at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) to be held in Hollywood from July 8 to July 10.
The Sunday Mail Leisure tracked down Sylent Nqo to find out the history behind the guitar skills and how he managed to win his way to Hollywood.
Born in 1994, Sylent Nqo spent the greater part of his childhood in South Africa where he acquired his primary education.
Music has always been a part of the young man who started taking a liking to music from African legends at a tender age.
“I have always been inspired by African music because growing up I was listening to the likes of Selaelo Selota, Louis Mhlanga, Salif Keita and many other West African artistes.
“I started doing music as a five-year old when my parents bought me a marimba and mbira instrument, practising to play both until I had mastered the art,” said Sylent Nqo.
He is not the first person in his family to take the musical path.
“My maternal grandfather was a guitarist back in Mozambique where my mother comes from so I guess those musical genes where also passed on to me.”
Coming back to Zimbabwe, he attended Churchill Boys High School and was president of the music department from his early days at the school.
“I continued playing music at Churchill where I was in both the marimba band and jazz band, further perfecting my art.”
While he was in high school, he taught himself to play other instruments and by the time he finished, he knew his way around seven of them.
“I had my first professional gig when I was 16 with the band Jazz Invitation as a percussionist and then later started to session as a guitarist with Diana Samukange, Plaxedes Wenyika, Cindy and many other artistes. I ended up playing seven instruments including the guitar.”
The Book Cafe has been a hub of developing upcoming talent and Sylent Nqo managed to exploit the platform to further expose himself to a bigger audience.
“I should give the Book Cafe credit because it is where I started my professional career and got to be exposed to a wider audience. Hifa is also another platform that I want to thank because that is where I had my first solo act at the 2014 edition where I performed at the Battle of Guitarists show.”
He said the road has been a tough one but he does not regret any of the obstacles that he has come across as they have made him stronger.
“The music journey has not been easy but it’s been a blessing because I have learnt a lot. At some point, I would do free shows just to get exposure. I love music and that’s all I ever want to do.
“Now I have my own amazing band with remarkable musicians namely Trevor Musariri, Prince Dzuwa, Daniel Chiweda, Mordecai Mukamuri and Humphrey who is also producing my debut album.”
Sylent has toured Mozambique, South Africa and Egypt among others and was part of UMOJA CFC for two years.
After seeing an advert for auditions on Facebook from Zimbabwe Championships of Performing Arts (ZICOPA), which is responsible for selecting contestants for the world competition, he decided to participate. He ended up making the cut.
“I saw an advert on Facebook and I went for a meeting with the guys, did an online audition and I was selected to represent Zimbabwe at WCOPA in the Open Instruments category where I will be showcasing what I can do with the guitar.
“I honestly give thanks to God, my ancestors, my family and everyone who has been with me so far in this amazing journey.”
The guitarist has played with various local and international acts who include the late Chiwoniso Maraire, Victor Kunonga, Mokoomba, Audius Mtawarira and Hugh Masekela among others.
He has also worked with talented guitarists from other countries including Andrea Valerie (Italy), Maneli Jamal (Canada), Will Mcnicoll (UK) and Tcheka Andrade (Cape Verde).
The World Championships of Performing Arts is an international performing arts talent competition and educational experience held annually in Hollywood.
Dubbed the “Olympics of the Performing Arts”, this innovative contest, which is now in its 20th year, invites esteemed industry professionals to judge, conduct seminars, award scholarships and sign talent.
Singers, dancers, instrumentalists, actors, models and a variety of artistes from around the world battle it out for the coveted title of grand champion of the world.
Contestants from over 50 countries are set to take part in this year’s edition with Zimbabwe represented for the first time.
With medals, scholarships and recording contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake, contestants have the opportunity to realise their dreams of becoming world superstars.
The competition was created by the former executive of the Miss Universe Pageant, Griff O’Neil, as a platform for aspiring entertainers from around the world to showcase their talents.
