Tatea Da MC Interview
Tatea Da Mc is a 28 year old, Harare based, 2X award winning Hip hop artist, television presenter, entrepreneur and mentor. Check our interview with Tatea Da MC below
What inspired the name Tatea Da MC?
Tate is short for my government name, the A is for first place, Da is the cool version of the and Mc is what I do, Mic Checka.
Growing up in Harare how would you describe your childhood?
I come from the average middleclass Zimbabwean home, family started off in the Avenues then we moved to Greencroft which is where I grew up. I didn’t have the best of what was out there but my parents provided more than what was enough to make my childhood great, I had great friends and I was blessed to grow up with all my grandparents alive.
What drew you to hip hop?
I was mostly drawn into hip hop by the flashy lifestyles potrayed by Puff Daddy and his camp in the late 90’s, the freshness that was Will Smith and the pursuit of cool has to be the biggest motivation but as I listened to more hip hop I began to grow and appreciate its various facets and how it can be used as a tool to influence and educate the society not just in the negative ways it has been brought out by popular culture.
What were some of the challenges you faced before blowing up?
My peers weren’t into rapping so the lack of influence and moral support in that aspect were the first step I had to overcome. Then finding my identity as a Zim hip hop artist with the most of my musical influence coming from the Americans and Europeans and finally as an independent artist, finance for recording, music videos and promotional material must be to-date my biggest hurdle which I can’t say I have completely overcome.
When did you get your first break?
I was emceeing at parties and small events around the city and my name was really out there and I had built a sizeable following but my first biggest break was emceeing at Nigerian dj, DJ WAXXY’s first Zim show in 2007. I rocked the crowd so hard people thought I was the dj and I was approached by the marketing manager of a popular tobacco brand who then contracted me to be their host for a countrywide promotional tour they were doing. I hadn’t even recorded my first single then.
Tell us a bit about your television presenting work how did that come about?
The producer of the show I’m hosting got recommendations from his workmates who called me on several occasions to feature and be a guest presenter on their shows and had seen how weel I carried myself on camera so we had an audition and the next week I was on television.
What inspired the hit song H-Town?
It’s on ode to the city I come from. I love my city very much and I’m proud of being from here and it was only befitting I tell the story of Harare through my eyes and in rap music before you go anywhere you first need to rep where you from which is what I was doing not knowing it would be an anthem for Hararians abroad. It’s now considered a modern day classic, compered to 2Pac’s 2 Live and Die In LA
Last year you won a number of awards at the Zimbabwe Hip Hop Awards how did you feel about this?
It was a great personal accomplishment, I’ve haven’t won much in my life, not even merit badges and I was elated getting recognition for something I had put a lot of time effort and passion into. People at the ceremony can bear witness to this, I was lost for words, and even my speech was messed up.
What do you think makes you stand out as an artist?
Apart from my complexion it must be my stage presence, it’s been said I take full captive control of an audience when I perform.
Who are your favourite artists in Zimbabwe and internationally?
Locally Roki, Maskiri, Stunner, Simba Tagz, Cindy, Outspoken
Who do you think is the dopest producer in Zim?
Simba Tags. The quality of his production and range of his work is amazing he is on of the few Zim producers with that international sound. He’s been doing a lot of dope work and I believe he’s on par with the best of them.
What can we expect from Tatea in the future?
Zim hip hop is going regional and international. I’m currently working on on a project called MMT with 2 of the hottest Hip hop artists in Zim, Mariachi and Mc Cut. A reality television show, a series of hip hop showcases more mixtapes, videos and an album of my own.
Who in Zim is your celebrity crush?
Brita Maselethulini, saying her name alone makes me act weird.
What are some of the challenges you think are faced by African youth and how can these be addressed?
Entrepreneurial development is one thing that should be given attention and nurtured at a grassroots level. The education system does not cater for everyone and youth should be motivated to become pioneers in other sectors to become employers rather than employees. Africa is a fast growing economy and minds need to be trained to capitalize and maximize on this growth.
What advice would you give to upcoming musicians?
Appreciate your own worth, stay humble, be patient and do what you do like its never been done before, ever.
How can your fans connect with you?
[email protected] for bookings and recordings, www.facebook.com/THEHTOWNKING and @THEHTOWNKING on twitter or follow the hashtag #IWE
Tatea Da Mc is a 28 year old, Harare based, 2X award winning Hip hop artist, television presenter, entrepreneur and mentor. Check our interview with Tatea Da MC below
What inspired the name Tatea Da MC?
Tate is short for my government name, the A is for first place, Da is the cool version of the and Mc is what I do, Mic Checka.
Growing up in Harare how would you describe your childhood?
I come from the average middleclass Zimbabwean home, family started off in the Avenues then we moved to Greencroft which is where I grew up. I didn’t have the best of what was out there but my parents provided more than what was enough to make my childhood great, I had great friends and I was blessed to grow up with all my grandparents alive.
What drew you to hip hop?
I was mostly drawn into hip hop by the flashy lifestyles potrayed by Puff Daddy and his camp in the late 90’s, the freshness that was Will Smith and the pursuit of cool has to be the biggest motivation but as I listened to more hip hop I began to grow and appreciate its various facets and how it can be used as a tool to influence and educate the society not just in the negative ways it has been brought out by popular culture.
What were some of the challenges you faced before blowing up?
My peers weren’t into rapping so the lack of influence and moral support in that aspect were the first step I had to overcome. Then finding my identity as a Zim hip hop artist with the most of my musical influence coming from the Americans and Europeans and finally as an independent artist, finance for recording, music videos and promotional material must be to-date my biggest hurdle which I can’t say I have completely overcome.
When did you get your first break?
I was emceeing at parties and small events around the city and my name was really out there and I had built a sizeable following but my first biggest break was emceeing at Nigerian dj, DJ WAXXY’s first Zim show in 2007. I rocked the crowd so hard people thought I was the dj and I was approached by the marketing manager of a popular tobacco brand who then contracted me to be their host for a countrywide promotional tour they were doing. I hadn’t even recorded my first single then.
Tell us a bit about your television presenting work how did that come about?
The producer of the show I’m hosting got recommendations from his workmates who called me on several occasions to feature and be a guest presenter on their shows and had seen how weel I carried myself on camera so we had an audition and the next week I was on television.
What inspired the hit song H-Town?
It’s on ode to the city I come from. I love my city very much and I’m proud of being from here and it was only befitting I tell the story of Harare through my eyes and in rap music before you go anywhere you first need to rep where you from which is what I was doing not knowing it would be an anthem for Hararians abroad. It’s now considered a modern day classic, compered to 2Pac’s 2 Live and Die In LA
Last year you won a number of awards at the Zimbabwe Hip Hop Awards how did you feel about this?
It was a great personal accomplishment, I’ve haven’t won much in my life, not even merit badges and I was elated getting recognition for something I had put a lot of time effort and passion into. People at the ceremony can bear witness to this, I was lost for words, and even my speech was messed up.
What do you think makes you stand out as an artist?
Apart from my complexion it must be my stage presence, it’s been said I take full captive control of an audience when I perform.
Who are your favourite artists in Zimbabwe and internationally?
Locally Roki, Maskiri, Stunner, Simba Tagz, Cindy, Outspoken
Who do you think is the dopest producer in Zim?
Simba Tags. The quality of his production and range of his work is amazing he is on of the few Zim producers with that international sound. He’s been doing a lot of dope work and I believe he’s on par with the best of them.
What can we expect from Tatea in the future?
Zim hip hop is going regional and international. I’m currently working on on a project called MMT with 2 of the hottest Hip hop artists in Zim, Mariachi and Mc Cut. A reality television show, a series of hip hop showcases more mixtapes, videos and an album of my own.
Who is your Zim celebrity crush?
Brita Maselethulini, saying her name alone makes me act weird.
What are some of the challenges you think are faced by African youth and how can these be addressed?
Entrepreneurial development is one thing that should be given attention and nurtured at a grassroots level. The education system does not cater for everyone and youth should be motivated to become pioneers in other sectors to become employers rather than employees. Africa is a fast growing economy and minds need to be trained to capitalize and maximize on this growth.
What advice would you give to upcoming musicians?
Appreciate your own worth, stay humble, be patient and do what you do like its never been done before, ever.
How can your fans connect with you?
[email protected] for bookings and recordings, www.facebook.com/THEHTOWNKING and @THEHTOWNKING on twitter or follow the hashtag #IWE
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