Volume 50 Issue 1 - January 2012 : Art & Culture

Two years ago when he was invited to perform at the reality television show, Big Brother Africa, David Banda going by stage name General Ozzy saw it as just another

show. It least occurred to him that Africa would be watching hence invitation from all corners of the continent. Now the Zambian-born musician General Ozzy is one of the most sought after entertainer in the continent and beyond. He stole many a local`s heart with his track Ona mami (see girl) from his single, a collaboration with JK and Petersen.

The song remains a favourite among local Biggie fans who associate it with former housemate Zambia`s Paloma. Nigerian P Squared and General Ozzy were some of the musicians who cashed in on their music during the continental show. Since then promoters have been after them due to public demand. So far General Ozzy has been to Botswana thrice including his recent visit where he played at Kagisong Centre in Mogoditshane.

The musician is a simple person who relates easily with fans. In an interview with Kutlwano recently, General Ozzy said it surprised him that his 2009 single, Ona mami, was still a force in the local charts. The lad who hails from Kabwe, a town in the Central Province of Zambia, started his music career at high school, entertaining his peers during variety shows. His love for music continued in college, while he was studying for a Diploma in marketing.

On completion of his studies he tried all he could to secure a job in sales and marketing but to no avail. “Most female colleagues got jobs but I couldn`t hence I decided to do what I love most which is music.” His bitterness about certain things, he says, led him into releasing a single dubbed Backstabber in 2004.

The single raised some enthusiasm among Zambian producers which saw General Ozzy signing a deal with Sling Betas Entertainment, a successful Zambian music production company. General Ozzy`s marriage with Sling Beats saw the release of his debut.  The general in 2005.

“The album catapulted my career with tracks such as O sa lila (don`t cry) Chinochalo (This world) which were the biggest songs in the album.” A year later he released General eyes pronounced ‘generalise` which included tracks such as Nandi and Nimusanga. Although he made a name for himself in the entertainment industry, General Ozzy decided to take a break in 2007 and 2008 to allow his albums to sell. moment is to collaborate with international musicians.

“Collaborating is a way of accessing foreign markets and working with East African artistes Radio and Weasel from Uganda has been profitable.” He added that his dream is for the rest of Africa and the world to appreciate what he has to offer. “I am always looking for new openings because I know my talent cannot let me down.”

His first performance in Botswana was at Bull n Bush a year ago. “At first I was nervous as I did not know what to expect, but the show was amazing.” Since then he has been

receiving a number of offers from local promoters though no contracts have been signed as yet. Through these promotional activities, Tops Masole of Maun Trekkers night club, managed to lure him to his club last year. The Hip Hop artiste has been to countries such as Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa, England and Australia, amongst others, to promote his music. His comment on piracy? “Piracy is a nasty disease and although it cannot be eradicated completely it should be controlled.”

“It is disturbing,” he adds, saying “if we cannot survive from our talent. I think we are better off at home doing nothing than sweat for these crooks.” His desire is to see governments injecting funds into the entertainment industry. The Zambian musician says the industry is capable of generating jobs to reduce the number of unemployed people in many countries. He says he intends to collaborate with local musicians and reveals that he has been in touch with Zeus, whom he has always had a soft spot for his music. He also observes that while local music has potential to sell abroad, none of the musicians has made any effort to market it. Zambia, he says, could be a potential market for Botswana music.

Perhaps it is time local promoters started networking with foreign promoters to expose local talent. When he resurfaced in 2009, he dropped Trilogy which comprised tracks such as Potential, Chimutengo cha mango to mention but just a few. The tracks have found a place in the local market. Potential has become a familiar beat in weddings. But he could not wait to drop Kobili (money) . General Ozzy says his desire at the moment is to collaborate with international musicians.

“Collaborating is a way of accessing foreign markets and working with East African artistes Radio and Weasel from Uganda has been profitable.”

He added that his dream is for the rest of Africa and the world to appreciate what he has to offer. “I am always looking for new openings because I know my talent cannot let me down.”

His first performance in Botswana was at Bull n Bush a expect, but the show was amazing.” Since then he has been receiving a number of offers from local promoters though

no contracts have been signed as yet. Through these promotional activities, Tops Masole of Maun Trekkers night club, managed to lure him to his club last year. The Hip Hop artiste has been to countries such as Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa, England and Australia, amongst others, to promote his music. His comment on piracy? “Piracy is a nasty disease and although it cannot be eradicated completely it should be controlled.”

“It is disturbing,” he adds , saying “if we cannot survive from our talent. I think we are better off at home doing nothing than sweat for these crooks.” His desire is to see governments injecting funds into entertainment industry. The Zambian musician says the industry is capable of generating jobs to reduce the number of unemployed people in many countries. He says he intends to collaborate with local musicians and reveals that he has been in touch with Zeus, whom he has always had asoft spot for his music.

He also observes that while local music has potential to sell abroad, none of the musicians has made any effort to market it. Zambia, he says, could be a potential market for Botswana music. Perhaps it is time local promoters started networking with foreign promoters to expose local talent.

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