SA-based PK living his dream

30 Aug, 2015 - 05:08 0 Views

The Sunday News

Peter Matika Senior Leisure Reporter
AT age 40, Plumtree-born Phakama Nkomo feels he is yet to accomplish his life dream — a legendary musician, as he becomes the first Zimbabwean to perform at the famous annual Rand Easter Show in Johannesburg, South Africa. Not only is he the first Zimbabwean to perform at that show but he has also managed to set up a state-of-the-art studio in South Africa and has also formed a musical band — PK and Napolo Express.

Warmly known as PK, Nkomo said he had been hustling in the industry since 2000, when he was just a music promoter and composer.
“I have been in this industry for a long time but I am finally getting there. For what I have achieved is testimony of my struggle,” he said.
PK, as he strongly prefers to go by, said he launched his first album — Hamba Sgubudu — this year and it is already making waves in South Africa.

“I launched my very first album this year and to my surprise it is in high demand in South Africa. I only managed to forge what I have developed so far last year. It wasn’t easy but I eventually got there,” he said.

PK noted that when he was still trying to establish his music empire, he nearly lost his family as they could not contend with him constantly being preoccupied with the studio and band.

“I almost lost everything and everyone. Building this wasn’t easy, all the money I put into this nearly destroyed my family. It really cost me a fortune,” said PK.
His studio boasts of state-of-the-art equipment imported from overseas and so far does production work for many local musicians based in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
“When I first started off I worked with the likes of Plumtree-based musician Allen Ndoda, I worked as his manager until I relocated to South Africa. I have even worked with the likes of Ndux Junior. Before moving to South Africa I realised that our music did not match international standards because of the poor quality in sound. That is what gave me the idea to set up my own studio in South Africa and it is yielding results not only for me but many other artistes that have and are working with me,” he said.
PK said not only was the establishment of the studio inspired by a dream but by his love for music.

“I would write songs for other singers, I would put so much thought and emotion when doing so but the artiste wouldn’t really express it the way they should. So I decided to do it myself. I officially released my album in March in South Africa and I want to do the same in Zimbabwe soon,” said PK.
He added that Zimbabwean music icons such as Nicholas Zakaria attended the official launch of his album — which has a jazz and sungura flair.
“Some of my tracks are already on Zim stations. One of my tracks is on the top 20 on National FM,” he said.

PK also said despite having developed something big in South Africa, the biggest problem Zimbabweans based in that country faced was being noticed as they were foreign.
“It’s not easy to break into the South African showbiz industry, as we are foreigners after all,” he said.
In parting PK said his name was spreading fast in South Africa, as he was a force worth reckoning with in the industry.
“I am planning on several shows in Zimbabwe. My main shows will be in Plumtree, which is my home town, Tsholotsho and Bulawayo,” said PK.

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