MEET lyrically-talented musician, Preside Sympathy Ndlovu, known by his stage name Cubiccky, a rising hip-hop artiste based in Bulawayo, but originally from Tsholotsho.
He is delivering explosive tracks and putting them on social media channels such as YouTube, where his subscriber base is growing steadily.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, the self-proclaimed Prince of Zhwane said his journey in music started during his days in school.
“At school, I used to play marimba and I was the best at it. That’s where it all started. I began to feel like music is the only thing that can heal people,” he said.
“I used to listen to both American and South African musicians, the likes of Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, AKA, Cassper Nyovest. Chris Brown, the American singer, is my favourite artiste. His songs got me feeling like I can do that too, especially with his melodious voice.”
The rapper said he started pursuing a career in music in 2016 while attending Mavela Secondary School.
His first single, Balling Hard, featuring Dray, was produced by Cliff Jeans and was released in 2019.
His other songs include Songs Ingoma (2021), Peer Pressure (2023), Sondela (2023), Isoka (became number 3 on SkyzMetro Top 20 from May to June 2024), Ijele Lothando (from Ubizo Album) and Magazine, which was released last month and is quickly gaining likes on YouTube and other music streaming platforms.
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The lyricist said he saw a lot happening in his music career in the next five years.
“I’d love to have released a few more albums, explore different sounds and themes and collaborate with other talented artistes and producers,” he said, adding that he would maintain his style. He also expressed his desire to venture into acting.
“Most importantly, I hope to still be true to myself and my art. I want to be able to look back and say, I stayed authentic, I took risks, and I made music that inspired and uplifted people,” Cubiccky said.
The Prince of Zhwane said there had been some lows in his career, but they were instrumental to his growth in the music industry.
“There have been times when I’ve faced rejection and criticism from industry professionals and online trolls. That can be tough to navigate,” he said.
“I’ve also dealt with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, asking myself whether I’m really good enough and whether people in Tsholotsho will like my songs. At times, I thought that my songs lacked meaning, but I think that’s a normal part of the journey.
“Also, vocal injuries were once a challenge. There was a time when I went for a whole month without being able to sing and I thought to myself that I would not be able to perform or sing again. That was scary.”
He went on to say that the music industry is constantly changing, so staying relevant and true to himself can be seen as somewhat a balancing act.
Cubiccky said he hoped to collaborate with either Gemma Griffiths or Kae Chaps in the future.
