MATUKIO @ MICHUZI BLOG: TANZANIAN BASED SINGER MZUNGU KICHAA RELEASES “RELAX YOUR MIND” (BRAND NEW VIDEO)

The Tanzanian based singer, Mzungu Kichaa, has released a bonafide reggae tune: RELAX YOUR MIND. The new video features his Tanzanian band Bongo Beat in true show for their renown eclectic high-energy African style that has become their signature.

Mzungu Kichaa says, “This video represents our journey as a band. It was important for me to get some of the magic that has developed during live-concerts onto a recorded track and I think we managed to do that on this song. The bridge, which goes “set the night on fire” was developed on stage during a late night performance at Operaen in Christiania during one of our tours in Denmark. The song was recorded in a studio in Denmark while we were on tour. So I guess this process really represents our journey as a band and the positive energy we have received from our audience. An energy that we want to share with the world through this video….”

RELAX YOUR MIND was shot on location in Dar es Salaam and features a number of Mzungu Kichaa´s long standing crew, some of which are family. They include Director of Photography (DOP) Adam Juma, Video Director Rita Wachera, Artistic Director Jessica Olsen and Producer Louise Kamin.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Mzungu Kichaa’s debut album TUKO PAMOJA (2009) captured our attention with his distinctive singing, which was strictly in Swahili. The release experienced a big following on the world music scene, particulary among the African Diaspora and of course in East Africa. On this new release, the collaboration with one of Denmark’s top sound engineers, Flemming Rasmussen, who amongst others has produced the first four Metallica albums, has given it that extra edge.

The obscure name, Mzungu Kichaa, which means the ‘crazy white man’, has reverberated throughout the African continent since his debut in 2009. This release saw an award for Best Upcoming Artist at the African Achievement Awards, a nomination at the Danish Music Awards and a chair behind the judge’s table on the Tanzanian version of X-Factor, Bongo Star Search.

“As a caucasian male in his early 30s making Tanzanian music, Kichaa’s heritage is probably one of the most obvious things one could be confused about when his lyrics are in Swahili, however most of the other artists he is surrounded by are natives from African countries. This implies no contradiction as his efforts show what is truly essential to making music. Neither the colour of your skin nor the country you were born in are relevant. Transporting messages that are not rooted in or bound to a particular space, but that could stem from everywhere and that put an emphasis on respecting each other and building on our common humanity - free of locality. Kichaa creates a concept of belonging that revolves around belonging to people, to your friends and loved ones, and not to some narrow concept of nationality. Belonging as a feeling and not as an obvious and logical rationality is what his music and his alias represent”. – Culture Trip

“Jamati Online: You perform in Kiswahili. What was the reason for choosing to do so?

I chose to release my debut album in Kiswahili, even though I also compose many songs in English, because, I wanted to show my skills and knowledge of the Tanzanian scene by creating something unique that represented my history and involvement with Tanzanian music. I also decided not to be driven by commercial factors. I had no expectations of the album in terms of success or sales. I wasn’t concerned about any of that, I just wanted to create. Thankfully the album has been very well received the world over which shows that it pays to follow your heart and do what you want to do and not what the industry expects you to do”. – Jamati Online

RELAX YOUR MIND – at a glance

*Mzungu Kichaa*	*Relax Your Mind*
500.000 youtube views	No 1 on ethnocloud.com (Caribbean)
100.000 followers on social media	1^st reggae release in english
8 official music videos	Recorded in Denmark shot in Tanzania
7 international tours