Sonyezo

1. Sonye whose real name is Sonyezo Kadonje has produced albums for artists such as Young Kay (1st Impression), Tay Grin, Maskal, Phyzix, Barry One (Legendary), Tigris (Give me a Break), Habakuk, Cash and Harry B. also did the production track of the Makwacha Play by Nanzikambe.

2. The musician whose debut album ‘Break Point’ has just hit the market started music back in primary school. “I used to get in trouble for using my desk as a drum set while as other kids were rapping to the beat. Then later when my mum bought me a toy keyboard, I learnt to play a couple of famous songs including our national anthem. From there on I just knew I had some talent in me.”

3. Co-owner of Baseline Studios, Sonye started learning how to use the production tools on the computer in 2006. “And that’s how my music journey began. In 2007 after I began to be familiar with the production software, I’d produce beats for other people as well.”

4. The artist described his newly released album as full of surprise. “Well the album is filled with different sounds fused to be one and it has unusual concepts that most of our artists are afraid to do so. This album contains new sound never heard or done before in Malawi .”

5. Are you happy with the Album? “I t has been amazing, doing stuff that I normally don’t do in terms of production and composing. I’ve learnt a lot of stuff that has improved my sound and quality of production. I have developed my own sound that I can rightly claim as my own. So I’m proud of that.”

6. What’s Baseline Production? “It started in 2009. I had met Pempho Kafoteka in the previous year and we both had musical backgrounds, He majors in mixing and mastering while I’m the guy who makes the beats. So we thought if we put our work together we’ll come up with a great production house. So that’s when Baseline came up.”

7. Advice to fellow upcoming artists? I’m in the process of learning this, but the key element of being a great artist goes beyond talent itself but the way you present yourself to the masses. Image yourself right and brand yourself in a way people will ask themselves how you do what you do.”

8. His memorable day was when he worked on Young Kay’s First Impression. “This was my first ever big project to work on under Baseline. I was so excited to work with one of the best rappers in the country and yet I was just the new kid on the block. I have also enjoyed working on my album. I had to do what was in my head and felt free to push myself to the limit and experiment a lot without limitations.

9. Is being a producer challenging? “Being a great producer comes with great responsibilities. You are expected to deliver fresh sound all the time, it doesn’t matter the situation you were in the studio, but people will always judge you by your output. It’s funny; mistakes of great producers are noted faster that those of amateurs.”

10. How unique are you? I’m a free minded person and I like associating with anyone.