This time, we get to know DroCole, a hip-hop artist based in Zimbabwe with influences such as T.I., The Notorious B.I.G., Michael Jackson, and Bob Marley to name a few.
The track “Uchaita Sei?” is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
https://www.newartistspotlight.org/playlists
1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
I am from Zimbabwe. Born and raised but I’m currently living in neighbouring South Africa where I’m seeking to pursue my music career further.
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
Looking back I think I’ve always been in love with music since I was very little. Although at the time it didn’t register. See, where I’m from music was never viewed as anything more than a hobby. It’s like people would expect you to eventually get serious with life and get a real job.
When was 15 I briefly stopped going to school due to a number of challenges and I knew I had to do something with my life. Society had failed me, so I took it upon myself and asked myself what it is that I was passionate about and could do for the rest or my life no matter what. That’s how I realized that I could actually make my own music. I fell in love with Hip-hop particularly because it allowed me to express the diverse range of emotions I was feeling without any restrictions unlike most genres of music that I grew up listening to, which focused more on typical religious and social matters while paying a blind eye to what was really going on.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
I would say the struggle inspired me the most. I view music as a platform to express myself and to reach other people who may be going through the same things I went through, thereby providing a source of inspiration. I don’t believe I draw any direct influence from one particular artist or band. But some of the artists I respect include T.I., The Notorious B.I.G., Michael Jackson, Bob Marley. I’m also a big fan of Rock music. Lately I find myself listening to all genres and styles of music, thanks to NAS Playlists.
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
My chief aim is to inspire and motivate the listener to unleash their full potential because I believe everyone was born with a seed of greatness within them. I think we just need to self actualize. Once we know who we really are from the inside, half of our problems would vanish. In as far as success is concerned, I’d be happy if I could access some of the finest recording studios in order to take my sound to the next level. I’m not really interested in awards and topping charts even though that would be appreciated.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
I just vibe with the beat and let the melodies and words flow. The beat tells me what to write and I use my experiences and imagination to interpret what the beat is saying to me. I do have some songs that I wrote without a beat at hand but I haven’t recorded any of them yet because I find the process to be a bit more expensive and time consuming but once I have unlimited access to a studio I would like to work with custom made beats and see how it goes.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
This is a difficult one. I know many great songs across different genres. But I will say “No Matter What” by T.I. is one of my all-time favorite songs because when i heard it I was going through mind bending situations and i was only 14. Had no one to talk to. That song made me strong. It helped me to keep going no matter what. There’s a line that goes “God will take you through hell just to get you to heaven.” That was powerful for me.
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
The best advice I received was that you gotta create every song as if it’s the last song you’ll ever make. Another piece or advice was not to worry about appealing to a certain group of people. Music is spiritual and it will resonate with whom it is meant for. An artist’s job is to create from the heart. That’s all.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
My proudest moment was when I began to take full control of the whole creation process from beat selection to writing and distribution. I know it’s always better when you have a team but it’s an even better feeling knowing that you could still get it done independently.
9. Just for fun! What’s been your most embarrassing moment so far?
Right! Well, I got on stage for the first time and the crowd turned away. I didn’t know whether I should proceed or just storm off stage. Being the man that always finishes what he’s started, I just had to be strong about the whole thing.
𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
My lowest point was during the pandemic back in 2020. At the time I was living in a small town where there was no access to recording studios and I couldn’t travel to the big cities due to travel restrictions that were imposed. This really slowed down the momentum I had built. To make things worse, I lost many collaborative opportunities due to the fact. On the bright side, I have learned a bit about the business side of music. I have taken full control of my work and have registered my music with relevant organizations. This year I have performed live more times than I have ever done before. I am currently looking for opportunities to get my music into film.
Stream “Uchaita Sei?” now
https://youtu.be/ywc4jyCGxBg?si=rBZTrbemh3F7si0F
and follow their socials
https://instagram.com/drocole99
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