The Sunday Mail
Isaac Gabriel Kalumbu, also known as King Isaac, is a Zimbabwean-born reggae/Afro jazz singer stationed in the United States. He consistently churns out hit songs that have made it onto the local music charts. The songwriter is also professor of Ethnomusicology in the US.
He once did a collaboration with the late legendary reggae artist, Gregory Isaacs. King Isaac (KI) currently has two songs that are doing well on the local music charts.
The song “The Score,” a collaboration with Jamaican dancehall artiste, Chaka Demus, of the “Murder She Wrote” fame, has been on the Classic 263 Radio Top 20 chart show for the past eight weeks.
King Isaac’s other song “Uye Uye,” is currently on sixth position on the same show. Our senior reporter, Tendai Chara (TC), had a chat with the musician. Below are excerpts of the interview …
TC: How has “Uye Uye” been received so far?
KI: The song was well-received and is currently occupying fourth position on the Classic 263 Top 20 Chart Show. I hope it will also make it to the Radio Zimbabwe Top 20 show.
TC: How do you stay connected with your Zimbabwe-based fans considering the distance?
KG: I share my music and news on latest projects on social media. I also try to get many radio and print media interviews. It is not easy being far away, but we can still make things happen. Although it was a different era, people like Gregory Isaacs and Yellowman, and many others became household names in Zimbabwe. We can do the same.
TC: Your music is mostly featured on Classic 263, which in my view is a station for mature people. What are you doing to entice the younger generation and others?
KI: Radio Zimbabwe is already playing my music and I thank all the disc jockeys (DJs) for that. I hope, with the support of the listeners, “Uye Uye” will make it into the Radio Zimbabwe Top 20 show. As for the younger generation, I hope Star FM and other radio stations will also pick my music. We are active on social media.
TC: How did fans react to the collaboration song you did with Chaka Demus?
KI: Chaka Demus and I have a sizzling hot track titled “The Score.” That song has made Chaka Demus’ reconnection in Zimbabwe possible. He has never lost his appeal. He is one of the greatest dancehall artists ever. And, we are in top form with our performance on “The Score.” I urge our readers to check it out and enjoy some great reggae vibes.
