BY KIMBERLY KARIATI
AWARD-WINNING hip-hop artiste Tanaka Bruce Mungoyo says carrying an underdog tag has enabled him to work hard and prove his mettle in the music industry.
The singer, popularly known as R Peels, told NewsDay Life & Style that he aimed to inspire young people through his compositions.
“I have been an underdog for long, but I have been constant in music production despite the challenges that come with the showbiz industry. I have continued to make music without the pressure of the industry asking for hit songs,” he said.
“Looking at the music side of things, I feel that I am different from many other artistes as I have learnt to survive through music without looking for fame or making critically-acclaimed songs.”
The 27-year-old rapper, who is also the Zvigaba clothing line brand ambassador and chief of operations, said the COVID-19 outbreak had crippled artistes’ projects.
“COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard the world and crippled our economy such that many of us in the music industry are facing financial challenges especially when it comes to recording new albums,” he said.
R Peels said financial constraints had made it difficult for many rising singers to make a breakthrough in showbiz.
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“I have realised that the local music industry is selective as it looks down upon up-and-coming artistes. It seems that the only celebrated and respected ones are only those who have already made it, not rising ones,” he said.
In his five-year career, R Peels has collaborated with an array of artistes across genres among them veteran hip-hop star Ten Diamond, dancehall singers Ishan and Nutty O.
He has four albums under his sleeve namely, ZviriEva Beautal (2017) Kudenga Kure which won the best album at Chitungwiza Music Awards (2018), God Therapist (2019) and Muchinjiko (2020).
R Peels is currently riding high with his latest extended play titled Songs of Solomon.
- Follow Kimberly on Twitter @lizellekimkari
