The Ngadlangadla, Bizzah Skhulu

Brezhnev Musesengwa, known as Bizzah Skhulu, is a Zimbabwean creative based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is an accomplished artist, actor, songwriter, and scriptwriter. His music career began in 2014, inspired by the Kwaito group Big Nuz, which originally consisted of R-Mashesha, Mampintsha, and Danger. Bizzah credits them as pivotal influences in his journey, saying, “Big Nuz is a huge brand that shaped me into who I am today. I was a devoted fan, and I offer my deepest condolences to Mampintsha, who recently passed, and to R-Mashesha, whom we lost in 2015.” Danger is the only surviving member of the group.

Bizzah recalls how he initially sang Big Nuz songs during the ‘Umlilo we Big Nuz’ era, which sparked his interest in music. This led him to write his own songs, performing them for friends who encouraged him to pursue his passion. “Ngenza wonke umhlobo we music as long i beat ngilithandile,” he says, expressing his love for diverse music styles.

Reflecting on his beginnings, Bizzah emphasizes the challenges he faced in Gwanda, where a lack of recording studios meant traveling to Bulawayo, a costly endeavor since he was unemployed. Nevertheless, he is thankful for the unwavering support from his family and friends, who have been his backbone throughout his musical journey.

Bizzah takes pride in the achievements of fellow Zimbabwean artists and dreams of giving back to his community in Matabeleland South when he becomes financially stable. He is considered one of the most celebrated music icons from the region, acknowledging that his path was “not a walk in the park,” but fueled by his dedication and passion for music.

He describes the primary challenges in the arts industry as financial, which limits his ability to acquire quality equipment for his work. He believes that securing sponsorships or record label deals could help artists realize their full potential.

While in Zimbabwe, Bizzah released music videos for “Bhekezakho” and “Gazilami,” sponsored by the Zimbabwean video company Tenmax, which aims to support local talent facing financial hurdles. Bizzah spent four months on these productions, with scenes filmed in Bulawayo, Harare, and Hwange, and Tenmax covering all expenses during this period.

Tenmax’s support allowed Bizzah to create high-quality music videos that significantly impacted his career. “Those videos changed my music journey,” he shares, noting that “Gazilami” became a breakthrough track that helped establish his brand.

In addition to these videos, Bizzah released a six-track album and collaborated with other renowned Gwanda artists like Skollah on the track “Magenge,” produced by DJ Drums.

Currently, Bizzah is making waves in South Africa with songs like “Mpilo,” “Ngadakwa,” and “Ekhaya ngizobuya.” He collaborates closely with Tbos the Boss, another Gwanda talent, and together they run a record label that supports emerging artists, including four South Africans: Muntuza.com, Trenzy, Shorts, and Nature Boy.

“I handle everything myself except for music production, which I plan to learn soon,” he says, highlighting his independence as a solo artist.

Bizzah has performed at various venues in Gwanda and had significant shows in South Africa, including a sponsored event in Rustenburg and a memorable performance at Joburg’s Gandi Square alongside Mapaputsi.

To enhance the arts industry, Bizzah advocates for financial support for artists, as he believes this is crucial for their development. He calls for unity among Matabeleland South artists, urging them to collaborate rather than compete. “God does not bless those who don’t love each other,” he emphasizes, stressing the importance of mutual support within the community.

Bizzah also acknowledges the efforts of creatives like Master Zhoe, who is working on establishing a fully equipped recording studio in Gwanda, stating, “Master Zhoe has everything needed to help artists rise.”

Ultimately, Bizzah is determined to set up a recording studio in Matabeleland South where artists can record free of charge, hoping to spare them the struggles he faced. “I want to make a change in their lives,” he concludes, embodying the spirit of support and community he values.