The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
When Alexio Kawara performed at ZTN’s Mental Health Virtual Concert in November, a flurry of questions followed the Afro-pop artiste.
“Has Alexio lost his shine?” was the most eye-catching enquiry from his legion of fans.
It was a pun on his 2008 hit song “Shaina”.
That is usually the case when artistes make a hit song and set the bar high.
Their subsequent offerings will always be measured against the heights they would have previously scaled. It comes with the territory for celebrities.
“I believe that kupera kufa (I believe you can only be washed-up if you are dead),” remarked Kawara with a chuckle during a Whatsapp interview with The Sunday Mail.
“I have released a couple of projects after Shaina; that is ‘Chihwande-hwande’, ‘Unombozviitirei’ and others.
“The times are changing and most music on circulation these days is more pop, so that has put us at a disadvantage.
“I have not stopped creating and a lot of my fans are up-to-date with my latest projects. But I am also someone who listens to advice, especially from fans, so I feel we also need to push harder if we are to compete for the available space. The competition for the audience is real.”
His fans are also asking if he is now a pastor or a gospel musician. His social media handles, Facebook in particular, have become platforms for sharing bible verses.
More so, the next song from Alexio Kawara is a gospel track.
“My next release is a single called ‘Pamuchinjikwa’. I am currently working on doing a video and will definitely let you know when it will be released,” he said.
“I have taken a decision to follow Christ and one of His commandments is for His disciples to go out and preach the gospel — the great commission. I do this as a service to God. So because Christ is my Lord, my music naturally follows suit. I have done a few gospel songs on my last albums and most of my inspiration was from God’s word.”
Kawara actually started his career in a gospel group known as Black by Nature in 1999.
“Back then I was double-minded, but now I have truly repented and everything about me is for the glory of His name.”
It is a new year, but not much has really changed. The Covid-19-induced “new normal” appears to be lingering longer.
It must be difficult for artistes.
“We are also working on a massive campaign on social media for visibility.
“There are also ways we are planning for selling the music because we have noticed that in the face of piracy, there are still people who are willing to buy music. We have been learning a lot from how things are happening and we hope to take it a notch higher with God’s grace.”
Kawara turned 42 birthday in November.
“In general, the whole of 2020 to me was a blessing because of who I became.
“On my last birthday I was just thankful to God for adding another year just, like he adds each day. Birthdays are more of grace than an achievement.”
The Glen Norah-based artiste’s career spans more than two decades.
Along the way, there has been hits such as “Amai”, “Karwiyo”, “Tinodanana” and “Shaina”.
His musical journey still continues.
