Indie Artist Spotlight: Chenzira
“The message is always Love.” ~Chenzira
Q. How did you get your start in music?
A. I don’t remember a time of my life that I wasn’t singing or listening to great music. From cousin created Christmas plays for my family to every school choir I could add to my schedule and playing viola in the orchestra, music was always central to my being.
Q. What message are you sending through your music?
A. The message is always Love. If you keep moving, Love will guide you right out of a dark place into the light. And you’ll be better as a result.
Q. When do you feel most creative?
A. I am the most creative when I’m in a tight place in life. It just seems like it’s the tough things that drive me to express myself. I can transform pain into something that I love. It’s my superpower and you only need to use those when you’re in a fight.
Q. Who are your biggest musical influences?
A. That’s all the hard thing to say. I’ve had so many yummy sources of great music in my life. I’d almost have to say it by genre. I’ll try a few…Tina Turner, LiAnne Lahavas, Maurette Brown-Clarke, Tye Tribett, Emily King, Fred Hammond, it’s hard to stop listing people. I learned love and found my soul listening to music so it’s hard to say which artist did the most for me. Different times and seasons sent me to different sources for hope.
Q. What makes you unique as an artist?
A. It could be that I am here for love’s sake. I am doing all of these things because it brings me joy! I love this process and will keep it up whether or not it ever pays the bills. (I hope it does though.) It’s one of the places in my life that keeps hope alive.
Q. What do you think people enjoy the most about your music?
A. You know? It’s hard to think that more than just my nearest and dearest are listening. They enjoy it because it’s me. They’ve been waiting for me to do something like this for a long time. Their joy is mine.
Q. Why is being an artist important to you?
A. I’ve never conceptualized it that way. Being an artist is who I am. I am a lot of things and each one has weight and importance because it is me.
Q. Tell me about your new project, Soul Evolution V1 The Company of Men.
A. It is a story of how the company of men taught me to love myself. I dated a lot and met some dope souls along the way. Even if things didn’t go the way I thought they would each one left me with something that inspired me to grow and live my best life. It was a great and terrible experience dating. I appreciate it and them. Just like I say in the song, I’d do it again and again. I love the company of men.
Q. How would you describe your style as an artist?
A. It is soulful, natural, and free. At least that’s how I feel when I sing. Performing live I am more of a storyteller. I use my life as a fable or a folktale and always the teacher, I have a lesson to teach, about love.
Q. Do you have any upcoming shows/performances?
A. I ’ll be performing a combination of my new music, poetry and covers in a show I am calling, “The Company of Men,” on Dec. 4th at Crafted Culture.
*Interested in being featured? Email a short introduction, your EPK, links to your work and 2-3 professional photos to us at SoulDopeThings@gmail.com
