AKON & ALICK MACHESO CREATE CHESO POWER CLOTHING LINE

Macheso Plans to Revamp Clothing Line

12 September 2009

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Harare — SUNGURA maestro Alick Macheso is set to revamp his clothing line Cheso Power following a fact-finding mission to China, where the regalia will be manufactured.
The musician's team, which arrived in Zimbabwe this week, had been tasked to do a market research and scout for a manufacturing company to produce a wide range of products carrying the Cheso Power logo.

"The team brought samples of the products with our logo.
We are now working on the design which needs touch ups so that it appeals to the international market," Macheso said.

He said the decision was reached after realising that local artistes needed to keep abreast with evolving fashion trends. "The world is fast changing and as musicians we need to move with the times. If an artiste in the United Kingdom can afford to do that why not us here?

"Does it mean that we are not capable? No, I want to prove to the nation that we too can manage," he said.
Cheso Power will be on different products ranging from casual wear, toys and other accessories. He said his objective was to reach out to all his fans around the world.

"After receiving the first batch, we are going to launch a marketing campaign around the country. We are going to explore other possible ways on how best we can supply the products to other countries.
"But we are going to have a shop in town where all the products will be on sale while some will be sold during our shows."
Macheso also said he was grateful to have links around the globe, citing Akon as one of the artistes who were fully behind the idea.

"I have already started selling the idea to my friends around the world with Akon already having the Cheso Power T-Shirt.
"Another thing that I am very particular about is quality. The products are going to be of high quality although those that will be locally produced will be available at affordable prices," he said.
Macheso said this would also create employment for the community. Part of the proceeds would be channelled towards charity.
"Remember there's life after music, so we need to prepare for tomorrow. It is part of our responsibility to take care of the less privileged people in our community.
"Part of the proceeds will go to charity while the rest will be invested in the organisation," he explained.

Copyright © 2009 The Herald. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

Alick Macheso: 'Extrabasso' a Genius

Alick Macheso's fascination with Internet is now apparent.


The sungura musician, popularly known as Extrabasso, portrays his fascination with cyberspace technology through his lyrics.

Often during live shows, Extrabasso takes time to poke fun at his band members who will be soaking it out on stage.
"Zaka Zakaria! Anobva kuMalawi, akaberekerwa kuMazowe akamira pazvake, ndiyo office yake iyoyi, achi e-mailer, achi websiter, achifacsa facsa, achifacsa. Ari tii!"
But one hopes Extrabasso would also include twitter, blog and facebook.
The world over twitter has become an instant hit. Twitter is a unique approach to communication and networking based on the simple concept of status.
What are you doing? What are your friends doing right now? With twitter, you may answer this question over SMS or the web and the responses are shared between contacts.
As for facebook, it is basically a social forum network where friends can interact and share photo albums or invite each other for a particular event.
In one of the many interviews with his assistant manager, Jethro Machaya admitted that Extrabasso was a computer freak.
"Of course, mdhara has made computers his best toys. Usually he likes to use computers whenever he is at home relaxing.
"That is how he updates himself with the latest news and current events," he said.
Perhaps those who thought Extrabasso was backward in any way should think again. Some of us who have been following the musician closely would be the first to admit that Extrabsso is one of the geniuses of our time.
Do not let his simplicity fool you because even when he knows something he does not show it until he opens his mouth. He looks at life in general, makes it his own and then tells it like it is.
This is why most of his songs endear to multitudes of fans apart from the booming basslines and stage antics.
Even the way he composes his songs would tell you that he is one of the most blessed musicians to ever come out of Zimbabwe.
Songs that quickly come to mind include Wemakonzo, Madhawu, Charakupa, Baba NaMai, Murume, Sarah, Pertunia and Chengetai among others.
There is no doubt that all his songs are sure fire hits and the upcoming album which features the track Chimoko Changu is already making hit waves.
The song always appears on his playlist and whenever it is jammed fans stomp their feet.

Copyright © 2009 The Herald. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

ALICK MACHESO BIOGRAPHY

Biography
The late 90s have seen Alick Macheso emerge as one of the most popular contemporary Zimbabwean musicians. Born in 1968, Macheso spent his youth cutting his teeth in local bands. Macheso honed his bass-playing skills and distinctive sungura beat with bands such as the Khiama Boys.

Macheso decided to splinter from the Khiama Boys in the late 90s. Assembling an eight-member band with the help of Bhundu Boy Rise Kagona, Orchestra Mberikwazvo, Alick set out to carve his own niche in the Zim music scene. Although his first two albums weren't phenomenal successes, his third, Simbaradzo, proved to be a gold mine. Simbaradzo sold 350 000 copies, breaking Zimbabwean records for album sales. Additionally, the album shot Macheso to stardom throughout Zimbabwe and parts of Africa.

His trademark bass-strumming technique, along with his falmboyant dancing, garnered attention from all corners of the music industry. His follow up to Simbaradzo, Zvakanaka Zvakadaro, was also a success, reportedly selling 100 000 copies in its first week alone.


Macheso has recently ventured into the international scene with a successful appearance at the Southern African Summer Sunsplash Festival held in London, England in June 2002. He released his fifth album, Zvido Zvenyu Kunyana, in May 2003.
Alick Macheso is also one of only three Zimbabwean musicians with his own website - www.chesopower.co.zw.

ALICK MACHESO INTERVIEW

Alick Macheso, a humble tunesmith who grew up listening to Jonah Moyo, has been hailed as one of Zimbabwe’s best musical talents yet he was virtually unknown until only a decade ago when he released his debut album Magariro. This is The Truth About Alick Macheso:
Born: June 10, 1968

Hometown: Shamva

Family: Married to Nyadzisai with five children – four girls and a boy
What were you like at school?

I enjoyed music and football. I was also very keen on my studies, and my favourite subjects were English and Maths, but Maths dzaindivexa (maths vexed me).
What did you want to be when you were little?

I dreamt of things that did not turn out to be. I imagined myself running businesses and so on, but that never happened. I am now a musician, and I can trace that back to the days when my uncles taught me how to play a guitar. It started off rather slowly, then I realised I could do a melody with two strings, then three strings and it went on from there.
Who is your inspiration and why?

It’s difficult to say. Jonah Moyo, Devera Ngwena, Leonard Dembo and Four Brothers have all had their influences on me. But for me Jonah Moyo was the best. I met him and I said: “I grew up listening to your music.”
What do you think is the best invention in history?

I think a phone is quite a useful invention, but the guitar is also an amazing thing. Strip it away, and you come up with strings and a plank which produce an amazing sound. We can also go on to cars and so on, but for me when I look at myself I ask ‘how is it possible for something on two legs to remain standing?’ Maybe the human being was the best invention!
What was the last book you read?

Kutonhodzwa KwaChauruka by Chiguvare. That was in 1989. I have read a few other books, but I would say that was perhaps the only book I read and fully understood.
What do you fear most?

I am scared of violence. I hate fighting, or being beaten. I have only fought four times in my life, or at least when I was old enough to take charge of my actions. Since I started doing music, I haven’t fought anyone. When I get angry, I just walk away.

If your house burnt down and you had a chance to retrieve two items, what would those be?

My guitar and my passport! Those are quite important items because my life revolves around them.
What would you like to say when you get to heaven?

I would tell them down there I witnessed enjoyment and sadness. I would also tell them I also sang on earth; that I used to sing a lot and sometimes I would pass people singing and discover that they were singing my songs. Ah hey, taifara! (Chuckles).

How do you compose your music? Is it the sound or lyrics that come first?

It varies. I am always thinking. Sometimes I get one or two verses and I think ah, I need a guitar to get a melody to go with the lyrics. It’s not always with the bass guitar, sometimes I get a rhythm guitar and so on. Sometimes you go to sleep and you forget, then months later, you remember the melody when you are playing around with the guitar.
What led you to give up alcohol?

I didn’t get enough time to drink. When I used to drink, I would walk into the house around 12AM, 1AM and so on. Then I started questioning myself whether it was something I wanted to continue doing. Since 2000, I haven’t taken any alcohol.
What gives you the energy to stay on stage for such long periods?

When I was little, I enjoyed playing football. When I am at home, I use a bike to travel around. So you can say I am used to exercising and like to stay fit. When I started in music, the people that we started with were on stage for very long periods. So when I feel like performing, and there is time, I will not walk away from the stage. But when I am tired, I tell the group that we are not taking bookings for so many weeks. But if I am fit, I enjoy what I do because we have families to feed.
Are you enemies with Tongai Moyo?

It’s all lies, just talk by people. I chill with Tongai kumaraini, we laugh together. I sing Samanyemba and iye anoridza Charakupa. People talk a lot; it’s not in my nature to pick up fights with people. The Macheso/Tongai beef is a myth. Things are not always as they seem, and what people say isn’t always true.

For example, people say a gunguwo (ingqunqulu) is a coward because it flies highest, but how many of them have died? You rarely see their carcasses! Then you hear others saying the hare is the cleverest animal, but how many have you seen being salted, ready for eating after being hit by cars? I would rather be called a coward and live happily. As they say all the heroes are dead!