The Sunday News
Nkosilesisa Ncube, Sunday Life Reporter
WHILE for most artistes becoming a brand ambassador happens at the height of their careers, this is not the case for the Sizinda-based Kasi hip-hop duo known as the Kidnappers.
The pair which is made up of two 18-year-olds KimZola and Chavo Nation, real names Edwin Ndlovu and Alex Ndau respectively, have sought to penetrate the music industry as both musicians and as the faces of the Fresh Juice clothing brand.
In an interview with Sunday Life, KimZola said that the opportunity to be the faces of Fresh Juice came when they were performing at an open mike session last year.
“We had just finished performing when Lasi of Fresh Juice approached us to be the faces of his label — Fresh Juice. He was very professional and gave us time to think about it and even gave us contracts to go and look over with our parents,” KimZola said.
Lasi on his part said he spotted the talent in the duo of KimZola and Chavo Nation and knew he had to be in business with them.
“I am also a musician and when I saw what they could do with their music, I instinctively knew they could do a lot for my clothing line as well. I have always used public figures as the faces of the clothing line and it has worked out so far. I dressed Khuxxman, Kadder and KhoiKhoi, and people are always very open to something that they have seen public figures wearing,’’ said Lasi.
KimZola described their partnership with Fresh Juice as one that had benefited in their journey into the circle of recognised performers.
“Fresh Juice is not just a brand that we wear. It has opened many doors for us and it was only after we partnered them that we started to perform gigs that actually paid. Moreso, FreshJuice has connections with recording studios and we no longer have as much trouble getting into the studio as we used to prior to the partnership,’’ KimZola said.
The Kidnappers’ music is becoming increasingly popular in Bulawayo’s Sizinda, Tshabalala, Nkulumane communities and the pair vowed to keep working at pushing their music and being good ambassadors for the clothing line.
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