(Compiled by Natalie Sindile Nyathi)
Today Zim GBC News speaks to Hip hop artist Tony Chihota aka Chief Capone
Tony Chihota aka Chief Capone is a Zimbabwean Rapper, Author and narrator of Zimbabwean and Russian/Ukrainian descent. He is most known for being a founder member of pioneering African hip hop group A Peace Of Ebony. (1992- present)
He is also author of the first Zimbabwean Hip Hop autobiography and audiobook “The Beginning”. Chief Capone has throughout his career shared the stage with the likes of Brenda Fassie, Lost Boyz, Soul 4 Real just to mention but a few. His dropping a single called “TRYNA” on Valentine’s day.
My First Childhood Memory….
It is when l was four years old in USA playing my little plastic green and orange guitar, dancing on top of the dining room table singing Elvis Presley songs at a family gathering. Apparently I was a fearless little rascal!
My Childhood Idol…
For me Michael Jackson was heaven sent because here was this skinny dude, no big muscles just this mean funyama and wild dance moves saying stuff like ” Beat it” & “You Wanna Be Starting Something”?
To top it off the girls were going crazy for him. I could pass for a younger Michael and suddenly my slim physique and musical talent were working wonders for my social life.
My first pet…
Its a goldfish which l named Goldie. Unfortunately no one had the for-sight to instruct me as to how much of fish food was safe to feed it. I over fed poor Goldie to an early demise.
My First CD….
A Peace Of Ebony – From The Native Tongue was the first local CD and it headed up my new collection. Before that l had and still have an extensive vinyl record collection inherited from my Dad who was a Dj and producer.
My First School…
Growing up my family travelled a lot from Africa to Europe and America and back so l attended various schools but my real school experience began at Lewisam Primary in Harare before l left for boarding school in Russia(USSR) to finish my secondary education. I returned home in 1990 and in 1992 helped form A Peace Of Ebony with Metaphysics and Chiwoniso Maraire.
My First Music Hero….
I have always listened to multiple genres. That,s just what l grew up around so my heroes would be Michael, Bob Marley, Elvis Presley but once l discovered Hip Hop that took up most of my time with groups like NWA, Public Enemy, Mobb Deep etc. I also went through a dance-hall phase as a Ragga MC and offcourse was a full on Raver(EDM) in the 90s.
My First instrument…
Its my brain and mouth. My mouth can produce what a microphone and sound can do.. sound naturally flows out of me. I took up piano when l was 10 so l know the basics.
My First Best-friend…
A big shout out to Farai Makoni my day one from grade three at Lewisam, my ride or die! Him and Metaphysics ( Herbet Schwamborn) are my dawgz for life.
My First Job….
MCiing for Dj Hitman Hosea Singende in 1991. I used to carry his records and hand them to him as he played and when he heard me rap one day he stopped the music and announced to the huge crowd that there was a new rapper in town and handed me the mic right there. I was terrified but had no choice but to grab it and start spitting as though my life depended on it. I rocked the crowd something serious and that night l knew what l wanted to do with my life!
My First Time Crying As an Adult…
Its this one time l got so drunk on real Russian Vodka and balled my eyes out. I do not touch the stuff anymore.
My First heartbreak..
I was at primary school then, l was rightly dumped by three girls whom l thought l was smooth enough to juggle. When they found out they dumped me like a bad habit, however that tragic experience inspired my first ever RAP song and here i am in 2023 still living and rapping about my crazy life!