HARARE - South Africa-based dancehall star Buffalo Souljah feels privileged to have been the only Zimbabwean musician selected to collaborate with 18 other African artistes on a song called Cocoa Na Chocolate.
The Bulawayo-born musician, who has won five Channel O awards, teamed up with artistes such as D’Banj and Femi Kuti from Nigeria along with Judith Sephuma (South Africa), in the song that aims to boost investment in African agriculture.
Cocoa Na Chocolate, sung in 10 African languages including Shona, is part of a campaign — It’s Time To Do Agric, It Pays — meant to influence the continent’s leaders to be pro-agriculture in the run-up to the African Union summit in June.
Buffalo Souljah, who sang in Shona on the Pan-African musical collaboration, regards the campaign to rebrand African agriculture as a timely one for Zimbabwe.
“For me it is always a pleasure and honour to represent Zimbabwe and wave the country’s flag,” the Born to Be Wild singer told the Daily News from his South African base.
“The campaign is something every Zimbabwean can relate to as we strive to restore our status as Africa’s breadbasket. I think all African leaders should come together for this great cause for the continent’s agriculture.”
Buffalo Souljah, whose real name is Thembani Ndlovu, added that rubbing shoulders with 18 top African stars was a fitting dress rehearsal for the upcoming album launch of his 19-track album at the end of the month.
“I am dropping my album end of this month called Da Chosen One that includes a track with ex-Brick and Lace lead singer Nailah Thorbourne and collaboration with South Africa-based Nigerian artiste Emmy Gee popularly known with his hit Rands and Nairas.”
The other African artistes who teamed up with Buffalo Souljah on Cocoa Na Chocolate are: (Tanzania), Dama Do Bling (Mozambique), Diamond (Tanzania), Dontom (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Juliani (Kenya), Kunle Ayo (Nigeria), Vusi Nova (South Africa), Liz Ogumbo (Kenya), Nancy G (Swaziland), Omawumi (Nigeria), Rachid Taha (Algeria), Tiken Jah Fakoly (Cote d’Ivoire), Victoria Kimani (Kenya) and Wax Dey (Cameroon).