ZInzi Kubheka also known as Zinzi Kahnish, is a versatile South African Hip-Hop artist. With a very strong rap background, she is using her faith to influence and create songs to encourage and motivate her listeners She recently released her debut singles titled ‘Rock of Ages’ and ‘Church Girl’ which are part of the EP she is working on.
TELL US ABOUT ZINZI AND HER UPBRINGING
I grew up in a loving home with my prayerful mother, father and older sister. My father passed on when I was 5 years old and it took a toll on us as family but I was too young to fully understand. Nevertheless, I still I have beautiful childhood memories. I had glasses and wore braces but my confidence level was on a 100!!. From being in the choir, having lead roles in school plays and concerts all the way to being a cheer leading captain in high school, I genuinely had a blast! I believe I’m blessed to have been raised by an open minded parent in that she is a Mathematician but she always encouraged me to pursue music and entertainment because she saw it in me way before I saw it. In a nutshell there have been some lows and many highs growing up to become who I am but I believe God has been with me and my family through it all.
WHO ARE YOUR TOP 5 LOCAL RAPPERS AND WHY DO YOU LOVE THEM?
Haha I have many, but in no particular order it would be :
HHP Jabba Man – He stays on my list because he was a blessing to our generation in SA hiphop; humble man with untouchable talent! Not only did I respect his art but a he was like big brother to me.
Proverb – As a young rapper, I’ve always been been inspired by his lyrical genius, but what I loved most about him is that his music was always clean rap with bars on another level!
Morafe – as a whole and since it comprised of 3 members (Kay-G, Towdee and Khuli Chana ), l end my list right here. They don’t need an introduction because man they are part of the Motswako rap trailblazers who are still killing it now as solo artists.
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WHICH ARTIST WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH, EITHER LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL?
To be honest, locally it would have to be Pastor Benjamin Dube and his Sons. I love how that Man of God has a great revelation of the Lord Jesus in his life and I believe that’s why he worships the way he does. His songs are timeless because he sings about the Word of God and I am inspired by how he is grooming his sons to walk in his footsteps to become the worshippers they are today.
Others would be Mahalia Buchanan, Tasha Cobbs , Shekhinah, Mercy Chinwo, Hle mtombela, and many more powerful women in the Industry!
HOW DID ‘CHURCH GIRL‘ COME ABOUT?
Well with being a Christian girl myself, the Church Girl concept was always buzzing in my mind for a long time till I spoke to my Producer and friend Kimosabe about it to create a special sound for it. Anyway ,the most common assumption is that a Church Girl is only found in church on a Sunday. So the question was during the week where would I find one ? After just studying the women in the church where I serve alone heres what I found :
An award winning Technology Executive , an award winning Film Director , A Property Developer, a Medical Doctor who owns her own Clinic , a high ranking woman in Government , A Financial Executive…the list went on and I realised that these Powerful women I am constantly exposed to are driven and successful because of the Core of their Faith in God.
As A Young lady I am inspired by them and this song I was a chance to celebrate Church Girls/ Women who are cut from a different cloth and their Xfactor is JESUS!
YOU HAVE SOME PRETTY DOPE TRACKS; TAKE US THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRACK
Thank you so much! I was groomed by men who were never easy on me namely; Bouy Tash and Kimosabe in the hip hop part of my artistry, then I had Pastor Senie Mduli and Bongani Masuku who groomed me as a worshipper.
The development experience for me would come from what inspires me to do a song whether it be a sermon I heard that ministered to me, or using my life experiences as a testimony. The best of those is when the Lord puts a song in my spirit and it plays in my mind till I get restless to record it.
READ ALSO: JUU-LEE-INN – A Blend of Trap and Worship
WHAT’S LIFE LIKE AS AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST WITHOUT A RECORD LABEL?
It is an empowering experience. The freedom that comes from it is amazing but the responsibility is massive! With that being said, I have always been aware that one cannot do things on their own so I have a team of incredible people who I have allocated to work on ‘Zinzi Kahnish’. This is why I have film makers shooting my music videos and anything visual, the sound production, art directors etc..
I consider myself blessed to have destiny helpers to work with.
DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT DOES ENOUGH TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY? ESPECIALLY DURING THE COVID-19 PERIOD?
I think with the consideration that we have never experienced anything like what we are in, I feel the government is doing the best they can in an uncharted territory. Short term Financial relief funds have been put in place as a form of support to those in the art and entertainment industry and I’m encouraging everyone that we should research and apply. We are truly in this together.
IF ZINZI WASN’T A RAPPER, WHAT WOULD SHE BE DOING?
People close to me know that I am a nerd at heart, fascinated by different buildings and how the design becomes a skyscraper! so I would most definitely be a an architect.
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