Tapz Music star on the rise

Tapuwanashe Tapz Munyayi is an award winning performing artist, songwriter and an activist born in Harare, based in Namibia.

His style is compared to Femi Kuti, Ringo and Eric Wainaina with social issues resonating in his music.

A true child of the soil whose artisticism is a voyage to a distant past that resonates to the present with an indigenous purity of age.

1.     Briefly tell us about yourself and how you got into music

A multi-talented artist, characterized by a positive nature and great willingness to learn.

Born in Zimbabwe based in Namibia l couldn’t see myself leaving my own country but due to political and economic reasons l took my last cash and got into a bus to look for a new life where l didn’t know anyone.

I started music in early 2000 in primary as music was part of me growing up. My mother used to sing to me.

Fast forward to 2011 l founded a vibrant band Savannah Afros with 3 more guys from my music class and l left them when l came to Nam.

I started working with different artists here from 2013 till 2015 when l brought my band here and we have been touring the world performing at different festivals.

My solo career started in 2019 but still with my band and l have recorded a few singles and also had my first solo European tour in 2019 and visited 16 cities in 28 days. 

2.     How would you describe your sound?

I am an Afropolitan Creative Entrepreneur and that has played a huge role in my sound. I am an ethnomusicologist by profession so l play with different sounds that l come up across with a big influence of Afro Beat.

I use mostly African traditional elements in my music with digital sounds from Pop, RnB and Jazz

3.     Where do you draw inspiration from as a musician? 

I usually listen to live shows from different artists all over the world because l am a live performing artists and every time l make music l always want it to sound live as possible.

I also play around with traditional instruments making modern beats. 

4.     What inspired your latest single Mind Nobody? 

I have many female friend l have been taking to and one thing l have realized is that they a scared of being judge for who they present themselves to the world on how they should enjoy, dress or act.

Mind Nobody defies the boundaries of minding nobody because at the end of the day it’s you who matters and if you love yourself people will love you. 

5.     What can your fans expect from you for the rest of this year? 

I am busy working on my debut album and l am expecting more features than just Don Kamati who l recently featured.

My fans should expect a well put album full of surprises l tell you. More matured music and more soulful sounds. I haven’t got the name of the album yet but it coming soon before summer. 

6.     How would you describe the music scene in Namibia right now?

The Namibian music scene is growing and recently we have seen international features happening which means it’s the right time the co-operate world needs to step in and support local music like how it is in South Africa and Nigeria.

There is so much talent in Namibia but there is lack of support to this creatives. Imagine if big brands can stand by artists and put them out there it would benefit the whole industry a lot and create huge employment. 

Also artists need to be ready for such things by having PR team with press kits, high quality productions and consistency. There is so much to offer than music but music can only open those doors. 

7.     Do you have any plans of branching out of Namibia as an artist? 

I have plans to go out in the world and take my position as everybody else and it will happen in my time. Right now l am based here doing everything l can in different countries but coming back here.

There is tranquility in Namibia if you have to compare to what is happening in the world. Sometime you have to preserve your inner peace if you’re to create. 

8.     Three things people do not know about you?

• I am a music scholar by profession. Started music when l was in primary. 

• My mother has always been supportive to my art from day one. I have never been discouraged to do art in my life by my family though they are not from an artistic background. 

• I offer free music therapy classes to underprivileged communities. 

9.     Which three artists would you like to have a song with in Africa? 

Wizkid 

Dobet Gnahore

Yemi Alade 

10.  What future do you see for yourself going forward as an artist? 

I want to stop performing when l am in my 40s. And write, do music scoring for African music so as publishing notations for African music.

It high time we as Africans start writing our own music history for our future generation.