Denzel Anele Sibanda has always felt that his singing gift was a direct calling from God and he plans to bring positive change in his life.
The 26-year-old said following his calling as a musician has helped him to evolve into a better and more self-aware person through exposure and interactions.
Denzel, as he is popularly known, described himself as someone who has always been a people pleaser and lacked authenticity.
“Looking back at my life this past year I feel like I was a people pleaser for most of my life. I thought that living a lie and doing well financially would bring me more friends and more beautiful girlfriends,” he said.
“The more that I have done well I have realised that that is not how it works, I have actually realised that the root cause of most of my mental, emotional and psychological suffering was because I was trying to make everyone around me happy. I was trying to be who they wanted to see.
“What I have realised through my journey as an artiste is that success, being good looking or being liked by many people who are affluent does not articulate matters that have to do with self-fulfilment.”
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With all the experience he has had, Denzel said he was learning the importance of doing what is right for him and what fulfils him.
“What I have learnt especially this year is that I do not have to be the loudest in the room or to be seen by everyone in the room and it has really helped me emotionally and psychologically,” he said.
In his journey of self-evaluation, the artiste has been through a phase where he was no longer doing well in his craft and resorted to blaming those around him.
However, he said he is now at a point where he has realised that it's himself who was not doing enough to go forward with his musical career.
“I blamed other people around me for my fall-backs but I have come to realise that I am the one who was not putting enough effort and not being responsible with my own life,” Denzel said.
“I have realised how people behave towards me is a product of my responsibilities because I am the common denominator.
“I would not describe myself as an up and coming artiste but I would say I am an artiste who is not putting in as much effort because I have a handful of resources and connections to great people.”
Denzel does live shows and for the past seven years he has written over 500 songs, but most of them have not yet been recorded.
He said he has been writing lyrics based on what he observes as well as from personal experiences which has given him a better way to understand himself.
Denzel draws inspiration from Rachel Fox and Chris Soul who are non-musicians, but he says they inspire him to have self-love.
He also draws inspiration from American singer and songwriter Madonna whom he said he admires for her rebelliousness which had purpose and intention.
Denzel was identified among the most influential youths in Zimbabwe by Generation Next Youth Organisation.
He graduated from Music Crossroads Academy in 2018and attended the cookout masterclass in song writing with Vincent Berry II in 2021, among other accomplishments.