The Zimbabwe hip-hop sensation Ti Gonzi has decided to quit music after releasing his last album. The NAMA Award winner explained the reason for quitting, that music is not giving him money to buy a house.
According to the hip-hop musician, the music has not enabled or given him enough to afford a house. He has also urged the government to recognise established musicians.
The Zim artist expressed that Zimbabwean music is not making an impact on the international scene. Due to which, he is taking a break as he needs to concentrate on other interests that includes to nurture upcoming artists.
The Afro-rapper said that he would sign off his career as a musician with the release of an album on his birthday, April 13, 2024. The album will be titled ‘From Boys to Men’, and it talks about the growth, evolution and struggles of Ti Gonzi.
He further added that he has made Zim Hip-Hop an acceptable genre in Zimbabwe. He has made everyone believe that the genre can be a force to reckon with.
He mentioned, “I scooped the biggest music award, Best Male Musician at NAMA 2020.” He also enlightened, “I have made a name, I have inspired the masses. Unfortunately, the Zimbabwean music industry is not making any impact on the world stage.”
Ti Gonzi expressed this too that after the album he will now focus on helping upcoming artists and he is set to unveil his debut book titled, ‘The Dark Night’.
Whilst, Ti Gonzi is only left with the idea of uplifting upcoming musicians. He informed that he has signed some projects with couple of new artists under Hipu Hopu YekuGhetto Records (HHYG), Nashe Chinx (who is a last born to the liberation war hero Comrade Chinx), King Alenal (the daughter of ZiFM disc jockey MC Chita), Seynskyie, Mr Hyper and Dollar Fad.
Ti Gonzi also mentioned about his book and said, “I will also release my debut book The Dark Knight. The book will talk about life, experiences, hardships, differences, ambition, corruption, hate, spirituality and the dream of Ti Gonzi as a Zimbabwean.”
The artist has mentioned the reason to quit his career earlier too and gave the reference of musician Takura, that he has also taken retirement from the music industry as he was struggling with mental issues.
Ti Gonzi added further, “I am just a boy who belongs to a very poor family and has managed to make a name for myself through my talent. It was never easy for him.”
“Receiving fair airplay on radio, getting promoters and making money from music has always been a very hard thing to achieve. In 2019, I almost my life when I got robbed coming from the studio,” said Ti Gonzi.