Thursday, March 28, 2024

Interview with rapper Chanda Mbao

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Last week we featured an article about Chanda Mbao ,the upcoming US based zambian rapper . (http://www.lusakatimes.com/2012/04/06/upcoming-zambian-rapper-chanda-mbao/)

Here is an exclusive interview with the man .

KAPA187: When did you first fall in love with Hip-Hop and what your motivation to take it seriously?

Chanda Mbao: Man…that takes me way back. I first started listening to Hip-Hop via the West Coast classics by Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and Tupac. Snoop and Cube kept me constantly entertained and had incredible production but Tupac really took it to an emotion level for me. After that, I got into Nas when I first heard ‘It Aint Hard to Tell’—I think that’s when it happened. I loved that song, that album and, to this day, Nas is my favorite MC.

 

KAPA187:  Do you feel like the other elements of Hip-Hop culture such as break dancing and graffiti are fully embraced?

Chanda Mbao: No they’re not. It’s a shame because Hip-Hop is not really complete without them—the thinkers behind the culture recognized:

  1. 1.       The MC
  2. 2.       The DJ
  3. 3.       The graffiti artist
  4. 4.       The B-boy / B-girl
  5. 5.       The knowledge

To be honest, I had been listening to the music (Rap) my whole life and hardly knew anything about the other elements until I lived in Spain. It really gave me a whole new perspective; one would never think it but the Hip-Hop culture in Spain is strong. France has a very prominent movement too—it’s funny because now I live in the US and it seems like a lot is being forgotten here as well. It’s bitter-sweet living in the new generation.

 

KAPA187: What sets you apart from other rappers?

Chanda Mbao: Where do I start? In one sentence: I’m a tri-lingual Zambian rapper who works in investment banking in Miami. I think my story’s pretty unique. A lot of people comment on my style of dress too. I wear suits very often and I am not a fan of tattoos, jewelry or baggy clothing. I prefer a nice pair of loafers and some fitted jeans. 

 

More importantly, I’m distinguished by the fact that I choose not to swear in my raps—I think it’s important that my family can listen to the music I make. Thankfully, this choice has made it easier for me to connect with many people who traditionally avoid rap because they find it vulgar or abusive. My goal is to have all the wit and wordplay without being so hard on the ears.

 

KAPA187: How has travelling a lot and experienced different cultures affected your music? Can Zambians still relate to your music?

Chanda Mbao: It’s affected my music in a lot of ways. For example, right alongside Hip-Hop my biggest love is Bossa Nova music from Brazil. It speaks to my soul. I actually have a track on ‘The Syllabus Mixtape’ called ‘Summer in Brazil’ where I rap in Portuguese and pay homage to the beauty of the country and the people. I call it my Bossa Nova flow. I already mentioned a little of what I learned about Hip-Hop in Spain…man, the list can go on for a while.

 

It’s funny because I never thought Zambians would be so accepting of my music. However, I’ve been surprised to get a warm response. They like that I represent an image that’s so true to who I am. I don’t rap about cars, clothes, jewelry, ghetto life or any of the subject matter that I feel Zambians dismiss as foreign. They see that, although I don’t rap in vernacular, I’m extremely proud of my heritage; anyone who pays attention will realize that. I represent Zambia everywhere I go and gladly accept the task of teaching people all around the world how to pronounce ‘Chanda Mbao’.

 

KAPA187: ‘The Syllabus Mixtape’ that will be coming out soon will be released via weekly downloadable tracks. Why did you decide to go this route?

Chanda Mbao: We live in a time where music lives for a much shorter period than it used to. The internet gives listeners so many options and they are constantly inundated with new material. The only way to stay relevant is to give them just enough to keep wanting more and then not wait too long until you give them the next taste, especially with mixtape material. By observing the numbers and my own listening behavior, I find a week to be the optimal cycle. Also, I decided on the theme of ‘The Syllabus’ as inspired by college life—there’s got to be class every week to keep the students engaged.  

 

KAPA187: Tell us about your ‘Midnight Lightz’ project. What can you fans expect from it?

Chanda Mbao: It’s going to be crazy. It will feature production by me, Swiss-based Phamone, Atlanta-based Neutraal and a few others. My goal is to strike the balance between the Southern sound of where I’m currently living—a sound I enjoy when it’s done right—and the more New York/Detroit-influenced sample-based sound. The lyrics will be witty as always with a few more introspective songs. People will really see my soul on a few of the tracks. I can’t wait for the people to hear it.

 

KAPA187: Your single ‘Runway Girlfriend will be out on 31st May. Tell us the concept of the song.

Chanda Mbao: I don’t want to give too much away but there’s a lot in the works. The song is produced by Phamone who I mentioned before. In all seriousness, he is THE BEST producer that I’ve had the pleasure of working with hands down. Anywhere in the world. Part of his talent is his amazing versatility; he’s currently finishing a project under the name ‘…as Sampson’ that focuses on a variety of electronic genres, including Filter-House and Nu-Disco. People need to check that out (http://www.soundcloud.com/as-sampson).

 

As for ‘Runway Girlfriend’—it’s the lead single and I’m actually working on a video with a director that has worked with Diddy and Big Sean so it’s going to be incredible. Furthermore, my engineer mastering the record did Rick Ross’s ‘Hustlin’ track as well as Young Dro’s ‘Shoulda Lean’ so the quality is guaranteed to be superb. What I will say about the concept is that it’s an ode to a beautiful girl and to all the beautiful girls around the world. It will be on iTunes soon, ladies.

 

KAPA187: How do you balance your music and education?

Chanda Mbao: I’m a believer that in life success goes to those who master the art of juggling. We are all complex beings with many interests and goals. The only way to succeed is to learn how to perform on various fronts and education has always been a top priority for me, thanks to my mother. I’m inspired by the Renaissance man who could do it all and so I just strive to push myself to grow in every area. I would say the number one factor in one’s success is who they surround themselves with; when your friends are signed artists who have songs with Flo-Rida and Ne-Yo and are also attending medical school, you are pushed to stay on your A-game. That’s what life’s about: pushing yourself. The plateau is your enemy.

 

KAPA187: Who are your favorite Zambian artists at the moment and why?

Chanda Mbao: Besides …as Sampson, I have a ton of respect for what Zone Fam are doing because they hit the nail on the head as far as fusing a Zambian sound with Hip-Hop. I love that they rap in vernacular and English—even though that’s not my sound as an artist, I really appreciate it. I also think it’s extremely important how professionally they are managed from a social media an internet standpoint when compared to other local acts. Holstar is doing a great job managing them.

 

KAPA187: What have been your best and worst experiences in your life?

Chanda Mbao: I always focus on positives and I love my life. I’m living the dream and have nothing to complain about. I am extremely thankful to God for my good fortune and I wouldn’t even know where to start counting my blessings. One thing I always look back on with pride, though, is the time I spent working at Goldman Sachs Investment Banking in New York. It was a great learning experience that challenged me to push myself and perform alongside some of the smartest people in the world. I will always remember that.

KAPA187: In 10 years I will be ……

Chanda Mbao: A business owner in Zambia. I have big plans to come back home and work on some projects that I have been planning for a while now. I am planning everyday and I am excited for the day I can make my ideas a reality. Step by step, though.

follow him on twitter @chandambao

Like him on facebook http://facebook.com/whoischanda

Listen to more of his music at http://soundcloud.com/chandambao

THE MUSIC

EPIC

ICON

By Kapa187

7 COMMENTS

  1. I must say this is pretty good (interview and indeed the music). I love the Icon track….. Well done and keep them coming young man.

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