'The Eternal Optimist' aka . . . SYNIK

His name is Synik and he is a total optimist. With lyrics that conciously touch on sensitive social issues, life struggles and poetic empowerment, Synik has a way with words that wills the listener to re-evaluate the reality around them. Synik is a true master of the spoken word, a poet, emcee and recording artist one can find real meaning and truth in his expression of life and what it means to be human. 

Zimbabwean HipHop has many faces, and while some may aspire to be the Jay-Z they see on MTV, Synik has proven that it is not the only way to get noticed in the competative local music industry. Having released an EP entitled 'The BETA Version', as well as performing at several Mashoko gigs, his music has been played on local radio and recently  performing at the Zimbabwean German Society (ZGS). Synik has proven that being unique and different is what should really draw fans to all kinds of music. AkAthemag's Natasha Hatendi caught up with Synik to find out how an artists living in Zimbabwe really can make a positive difference. 

Why music? When did you know you wanted to create sweet tunes?

I have always appreciated music and growing up if I was at home by the radio is where I would usually be (at 11/12 I would be bumping a tape with music from the 60’s which had me convinced I was born in the wrong era).  I was that little boy who followed his mom to the church choir (though I have never particularly been a good singer). In primary school when I joined Scripture Union I remember all of us being given roles and my friend got tasked with being choirmaster. I felt like I had been robbed. Turns out the teacher in charge had mixed up our names. Another incident I recall was a talent show where my friends and I decided to lip sync 112 and Biggie’s track, Only You for a variety show. Ironically, I was Biggie (you would know the irony if you have seen me). So even then I was aligning myself to becoming an MC.  Writing down Tupac’s rhymes were my ‘training wheels’ into becoming a hip-hop artist. Around 15 or 16 when I went to Vainona High School where some of my friends were rappers is when I took the training wheels off and started writing my own raps. Years later, here I am.

What inspires you to write music?

Things that I see daily. I try to influence positive change through music as well as to entertain. Music is a powerful tool as it appeals to both your heart and your mind through the musical composition and the words. Sometimes writing is like drawing out poison from inside your spirit (like when you’re angry or depressed and you channel those emotions). Sometimes it’s just like painting a self- portrait. But most times for me it’s like taking pictures with words. A pen is cheaper than a camera.

 H.I.P H.O.P what does that mean to you?

Hip hop (music) is a voice. From its inception, hip hop has always been a way for people to express themselves. I am glad to be a part of a culture that has connected so many people across the globe. Through beats and rhymes and the culture of hip hop (all the elements) as a whole we discover so many things that make us similar. I like Godobori’s interpretation of HIPHOP as an acronym, ‘His/ her Infinite Power Helping Oppressed People). From the marginalized ghetto kids who converted the energy around them into a multi-faceted art that is now a multi-billion dollar industry, to activists who use rhyme to tackle issues such as social justice, at the end of the day, hip hop is a voice. What stories you choose to tell with that voice are completely up to you.

Top 5 artists you always seem to go back and listen to?

My taste in music is always in a state of flux so that’s a hard question. From way back I’d say I’ve always loved Lauryn Hill. Perhaps because she blends acoustic hip-hop, poetry and soul with incredible skill. More recently I have been drawn to the music of Tumi (and The Volume), Sara Tavares, Asa and Blitz the Ambassador.

If you could collaborate with any musician in the world who would that be? Name 3 Zim artists you admire and would like to collaborate with? 

I think if I could work with anyone in the world it would have to be Freddie Joachim, an American hip-hop producer. His productions are so soulful you could drown in the pure soulfulness of it. Zim Artists, Pauline from Mafrik, I think she is an incredible artist who I believe has grown in her music. Hopefully a collaboration will materializee soon. Mathias Muzaza, the front man and percussionist from Mokoomba. The band itself is in my opinion one of the best bands in Zimbabwe. But Mathias has probably got the most distinctive and powerful voice within these borders. Soulfamiliya, the funky soulful brother from Bulawayo. He has featured on a song of mine already, but it would be great to do more work with him in the future.

Your music has a revolutionary vibe to it, what are you trying to communicate to your listener?

I recently read a blog that talked about “art for art’s sake” being useless. Artists have the ability to express what goes on in society. I believe that comes with the responsibility of using that gift for a cause greater than yourself. You can make them jump (or throw their hands in the air and wave them like they just don’t care) but I think what matters more is how you inspired the people. What I’m just trying to highlight when I can is an individual’s limitless capacity to change the adverse conditions around them. I have been placed into the box of being conscious. I think that’s only because the general trend in hip hop music now are ingredients such as materialism, misogynistic speech with a pinch of promoting violence, stirred together in a bowl of a banging instrumental and served to an ever growing market. So the second you speak about life you’re branded conscious. I just speak about things that I see and if certain elements in society need to be addressed to facilitate change, then I will speak about them. This has of course been a journey for me so if you looked at ‘then (when I started) and now’ pictures of me (in terms of music) you would see two completely different people

Any goals or plans for the future?

Take it further than I have allowed myself to dream. I do hope to take my music beyond the places around Harare where I have been performing. There has been a lot of positive feedback from people who have heard my music. I’m hoping to convert that into motivation to create more music, develop as an artist (and a person) and to maximize my potential. So I’m hoping for more shows and in the future, God-willing, tours.

How important is social media to developing a presence in the music industry?

I think it’s an incredible way to connect with people (whether fans, possible collaborators or other stakeholders). It allows you to build your brand globally. I have met a lot of the people I went on to work with through social media. The Internet has changed the face of music distribution making it possible for anyone to put his or her music out there. Social media allows you to be in touch with the public so you’re not an abstract figure but a person they can interact with easily. People can therefore become engaged in your musical journey. Ido however believe there must be a balance between working on your craft/art and maintaining your social media presence. There is a danger of focusing on one at the detriment of the other.

 What do you love about creating music?

I love it when you listen to a beat and it tells you a story. Sometimes I write to pre-made beats and it’s like extracting a story from inside the beat. You chase the story through the keys, chords and samples until you catch it. The best times are when inspiration hits you so hard your hand seems to be incapable of matching the speed of your thoughts. Other times it’s like the process of gold panning where you’re swirling your thoughts around and around and eliminating the worthless rocks until only the gems remain. At the end of it all what I love is having that verse or that song and knowing you can’t take away or add anything to improve it.

Honest opinion about the Zimbabwean music industry?

I can only answer that in relation to hip hop because that’s the side of the industry I understand. I believe while there is a lot of talent and there is so much room for growth (whether on an artist level or at industry level). 

Check out this spoken word youtube video by Synik,  'The Sayer' 

Download and listen to tracks by Synik's and a few from his EP 'The BETA Version' @ Reverbnation - http://www.reverbnation.com/SynikZim

Keep updated with Synik's progress follow him on twitter @Synikzim

Facebook - search Synik

Interview by Natasha Hatendi - follow on twitter @NatashaTendai and of course @AkAthemag ;)