The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Entertainment Correspondent —
RISING Rusape based music producer and singer Givemore Tawanda Makunika of Mark Sounds is set to take the local music industry by storm. The producer’s beats have proved popular with the youths and he is working with a number of local artistes. He is delighted with the progress his music stable is making in Rusape.
Born in Mutare and later moved to the small town of Rusape, Makunika has shown his passion for music at a very tender age and he made waves in the United Methodist Church.
“I started writing songs and composing beats long back in 1998. I then decided to concentrate more on beat making.
The first artiste that I have worked with was AS Fire. I went on to work with the likes of Missle, Truxer, Eager B, Knox Waspy and many more.
“We did a compilation album titled Mutare Dancehall Hardware and it was a promotional album to promote the youngsters. Long back it was not easy to record. I formed many musical groups in church. I worked very hard and started purchasing my own instruments I then decided to open Mark Sounds Studio in December 2015.
The main aim was to promote youths. I am targeting youths. We have many talents in our province but they don’t have money to pay for the recordings. In most cases I do the recordings for free or I just charge a reasonable fee. I sometimes work with the less privileged artistes.
“I once recorded Cornard Dube’s album entitled ‘Makonzo’ which did well locally. Sometimes it is not always about money but promoting these youngsters so that they may have a bright future. The main challenge in the music industry is money. Many are talented but they lack sponsorship. I got transferred to Rusape and I have set my studio in Rusape’s Mabvazuva medium density suburb,” he said.
The talented producer said that he aims at attaining international standards.
“Currently I am working very hard. I want to buy more machinery to boost my studio and a lot is needed in the studio. I am also aiming at establishing three to four studios in various cities. I want also to acquire a promoter’s licence soon so that I will be able to bring in international artistes. Many artists are promising and I am working with artistes from different genres including dancehall, “he added.
Makunika credits success to his cousin Khulumani Moyo and he hopes to represent Zimbabwe on the international scene. He has his own band, Mark Sounds Band which once came second in the Chibuku Road to Fame in 2015. Apart from music, the producer is into charity. Last year he organized one of the most successful charity gala dubbed Manicaland Charity Gala.
The gala was graced by veteran singer Progress Chipfumo, Agatha Murudzwa, Sunrise Band, Hossiah Chipanga among others. The proceedings were donated to Zororai Old People’s home in Sakubva. He is also a qualified photographer who is into film and video production. The producer is certainly growing into a force to reckon with.
