CANADA-based music executive producer Zeb Tsikira, has taken it upon himself to help local musicians to achieve their goals in the music industry by offering sound business advice and sponsoring some of their musical projects among other support.
This comes as most of the musicians with talent have failed to realise their full potential in the music industry because of the lack of financial support mechanisms in the country.
The Daily News spoke to Tsikira on how he strives to empower local artistes. Over the years, Tsikira has worked with a number of artistes in the dancehall sector such as Poptain, Kinnah and Lipsy among others.
“I never thought of myself like that (executive music producer) but I knew I wanted to be involved in music somehow. All I want is to showcase ghetto youths to the world. I want to see local musicians competing with top international musicians. I believe if our artistes get enough financial support nothing will stop them from being counted among the best in the world. I also want to motivate people with my personal story,” Tsikira said.
Tsikira who is also a serial entrepreneur, author and mentor told this publication that he is driven by passion.
“Being a music executive producer is not a stroll in the park; it requires both money and passion. The project has its own challenges including the lack of professionalism in the local music industry. I came into the music sector with my diaspora thinking before quickly realising that I had to change that mentality and adapt to the environment,” he said.
Born in Bulawayo, Tsikira is inspired most by his mother whom he described as a “hard worker and always full of ideas.”
“Growing up in a family of eight, my role model was my aunt who was a doctor but my mother, who was a hard worker and always full of ideas, was my source of inspiration. She taught me the virtue of pushing ahead despite how difficult the situation might be,” he said.
Tsikira bemoaned how Covid-19 lockdowns affected his work. “There were travelling restrictions in place. I could not travel at some point to my properties in the diaspora. It was even difficult for me to travel back home to supervise the music projects and it really affected my operations.
Now with the health situation improving on a daily basis, it is time to resume charity work, continuing inspiring the ghetto youths, spreading motivational/inspirational messages to them and to continue to help sponsoring music, studio time and music videos among others to those who are talented and cannot afford.”
