Entertainment Watch

MUYIWA

A former recipient of the BBC's Young Musician Award, Muyiwa is a man with a mission to spread the gospel with his own unique blend of gospel, rock, pop, native American and African music. His third album Declaring His Love is causing quite a stir and was recently the no 1 HMV Gospel as well as the no 1 Jazz and Blues album.

Muyiwa is a singer, songwriter and broadcaster and presents Muyiwa's Guide to the World on Premier Christian Radio. He is currently on Tour in the UK which will conclude in July 2008.

Konnections : As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: There were a number of things one was a safari hunter I thought it was a job
I did not know it was a pastime and just wanted to pose in a picture with my
prey. Next, I wanted to be a farmer; my mother had retired from broadcasting and my father had also retired, they ran a farm and I wanted to take over the family business although, I was supposed to go and study in Germany. At one stage I also wanted to be a footballer so I could score the winning goal for Tottenham in the FA Cup Final!

Konnections : Who and what has been the greatest influence on you as a person and or your music?
A: My father has been my greatest influence as a person. As far as music goes
the work of Tom Brookes has captivated me. He is a Christian producer and produced much of the Integrity music catalogue. His work really resonates with me he never sang; he was always the musical director and produced much of the work I would listen to. I also liked listening to Boney M and Kate Bush.

Konnections : When did you discover your gift for music and how did you start out?
A: I‘ve had it from a very young age. All of my family used to sing and my mother was the choir director at the Anglican Church which we went to from around the ages of 9 or 10. In terms of seriously pursuing music, this wasn't until my late teens. I was always involved in church choirs and Eddie (who produces all the Riversongz albums) and I started an award winning group called "5 & 1".We recorded an album called "Consider Him Now" and it was at that point we decided to take music seriously.

Konnections : How long did you have to wait before you had your first break, what did you do in the interim?
A: It really depends on what you call a first break but in terms of the first public recognition in the Christian world it was during "5 & 1" in around 1999 and the high point really was when we were nominated for the London Gospel Award. Nu Colors won and we came second. It was not until five years later that we recorded our first Riversongz album Restoration. During the interim, I threw myself into worship leading at church where I was a youth leader and choir director. I also studied for a music degree during this time.

Konnections: Who are some of the famous names that you have worked with and who would you like to work with in the future?
A: I worked at a TV station and record company so on a professional level I worked with people like Chris Evans Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Nas, Bob Dylan and David Ryan Harris. I would love to work with Michael W Smith which would be fantastic.

Konnections: As a Christian, it must be great to have the opportunity to minister to large crowds of people all over the world and have your music broadcast on the air. Can you share the experience with our readers?
A: My experience has not been different to many others out there as there is really noting new under the sun, the only difference is my approach, because, I don't take myself too seriously, don't read my own press and work extremely hard day to day managing Riversongz.

Konnections :  Riversongz is great, how did this come about, have you ever been compared to MC Hammer or Kirk Franklin?
A: We have been compared to Kirk Franklin because they say he can't sing and neither can I (so they say!!) and I talk a lot over the songs. That's where the comparison ends, as far as I can see he is a house hold name and we are just starting out. As far as MC Hammer goes, no I have never been compared to him and if I were, it would make me worry about my trousers LOL.

Konnections: I believe in dreams but sometimes you have to wake up and actually do something to make them happen. What advice do you have for our readers who may be stuck in a rut with their eyes still shut?
A: Wake up! Its not sometimes you have to wake up, you have to wake up every time. The bible says faith without works is dead, wake up and get a grip of your dreams!

Konnections: What has been the most memorable or challenging moment of your career to date?
A: Most memorable would have to be leading worship in front of 4 million people
in Nigeria at the Holy Ghost Congress. The most challenging was recording each of the Riversongz albums. They are challenging because we don't have a major record company behind us, we have to do everything ourselves and its very expensive. Effectively, we have to find the money to make it happen and it has led to some sleepless nights, but my faith has kept me going.

Konnections: What can we expect from you over the next 6 months and what dates should we be putting in our diaries?
A: Riversongz UK Tour. We will also be doing a tour of West Africa soon, dates to be confirmed shortly. We also have a DVD film in the pipeline. In the next 6 months I will also be doing some TV work too.

For more information about Muyiwa or to purchase a copy of Declaring His Love please visit his website at http://www.myspace.com/riversongz