Singer Mukuka Musowa Keeping Her Roots Close

Hamilton singer-songwriter Mukuka Musowa, 22, talks to Zambia’s Lusaka Times about her latest single “Just Fine”, her musical inspirations, and New Zealand television show Both Worlds, in which she features.

Musowa, who was born in Lwanshya, Zambia, moved to New Zealand when she was nine. She is currently studying media arts at Waikato Institute of Technology.

She describes her music style as electro pop/afro pop.

“One artist who has inspired me and the reason I got the confidence to start writing my own music is Nigerian singer-songwriter Asa,” Musowa says. “I discovered Asa during high school; I thought she was the coolest African singer on the planet. Not only [that], she had natural hair like me!

“She could also sing and write about problems and situations she was facing, I thought that was so empowering.”

“The concept of ‘Just Fine’ was based on the idea of leaving home and coming to New Zealand, how challenging the journey was for me, how hard it was to adapt to a new culture and leaving friends and family behind.”

The single, Musowa’s third, will be featured on TV3 show Both Worlds.

“Both Worlds,” Musowa explains, “is about a group of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds who are tackling their fears, their pasts and their future. Each episode includes young first, second, third or fourth generation New Zealanders as they turn a camera on themselves to share their life changing journeys. Throughout the episode I look to the Zambian community here in New Zealand in helping and teaching me how I can keep my Zambian heritage alive, because as I grow up I realise just how important it is to know where you come from.”

Original article by Lusaka Times, July 29, 2016.