Rainbow Province’s own ‘Drum Boss’

Affectionately known as DJ Rixx Kaz Keithavo in music cycles, Keith Zulu is a highly creative music producer, specialising mainly in beat-making. He is also a DJ and a musician who has produced quite impressive works of art for both upcoming and renowned musicians, including the seasoned Bhadillah.

The Beitbridge based artist attended St Giles rehab Primary school in Harare and Bumburirwe Primary school in Gweru. He then attended Tromehuis College in Beitbridge where he attained 5 ‘O’ Level passes including English language.

Since childhood Dj Rixx Kaz Keithavo has been passionate about the creative industry, music. He is a creative who is highly competent in using a computer and its various applications and packages. When his teacher discovered that he could not write using a pen he then started using a computer and this explains his techno savvy nature when it comes to doing his music projects on a computer. He is impressively knowledgeable in using Fruit loops beat maker software.

Born with cerebral palsy, a condition that affected his muscle movement, Keith uses his toes when working on his laptop.

Dj Rixx Kaz Keithavo believes he is just as capable as anyone else especially the able bodied as most people would like to refer to those without a disability. He says that his condition is just a limitation that does not enable him to do everything he wishes to do and is thankful that he is able to do what he loves doing despite his condition.

“Just like anyone else, we all are not able to do everything, we are different in our abilities, but we can at least do something regardless of whether one has a disability or not”, says Keith.

He has a mini studio though inadequately equipped with items he needs to fully focus on his works in the creative industry, he is proud to have a good starting point. Keith is thankful for the support he receives from his family whom he says although he is not the only child, they do manage to assist him with the little that they have so that he can keep on keeping on, pushing his line of passion. Most of his productions he does from the comfort of his home where he is mostly seen on his bed working on a laptop.

Dj Rixx says it is difficult for people with a disability to be successful partly due to the stigma, misconceptions and myths around the whole subject of disability. He also mentions that due to the unfavourable state of the economy in the country, there is a challenge when it comes to making it in the creative industry, worse still if one has a disability. With all the support in place Keith believes that he will be able to deliver quality products for local and international market.

The high price for internet data is another factor that prohibits him from realizing his full potential as he is limited when it comes to partaking on digital platforms where internet data is a prerequisite. He is aware that he can be able to generate revenue from his art via digital platforms however, for now it is hard for him to get to the online stores.

“I do not have enough equipment to enable me to fully work on my productions. I really need sponsorship where I can get opportunities for growth and development in my area of passion”. Keith also adds that he strongly needs collaborations with other artists in his field so that he can make money and have a decent living.

“We partner, we do the work, we share the money, please do not bring grocery paper bags to me, I just need to work and be able to eat from my own sweat, do not be sympathetic at all about my condition, all I need is a partnership”, he dislikes handouts.

Aspiring to be like Internationally renowned Black Coffee, Keith is a beneficiary of the Nkomwa Foundation Trust, NFT, an organization that promotes active participation of people with disabilities among other key duties and responsibilities of the organisation.

In 2021 Keith made an attempt at releasing a music project, unfortunately he could not find artists to collaborate with.

“Things are however starting to look well for me, since December 2021 I have managed to release 2 tracks, a drill song called Ndayi that I did with Lixxie and a song called Mudhara nhanzve, an amapiano/rap song featuring Lixie Lixxie and Leon Cia”, adds an optimistic Keith.