Had an awesome interview with a young man who has made it in the music industry

Your brief background?

First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for this platform; thanks to you, your team, your current and prospective readers, much appreciated. I am Zukisa Owen Mbombo and I am a musician, I am best known by my alter ego and stage name as O-Zone. Originally from the Eastern Cape, moved to Johannesburg at the age of 09 and I have been the official resident of Braamfischerville, in Soweto ever since. I am a complete musician, from production and vocals, to live and other performances. I studied music professionally, piano as the main instrument, and I later learnt the art of writing and laying the vocals

Why O-Zone?

My second name is Owen, and the “O” in my alter ego originates from that name. The “Zone” represents my haven for sense, fun, pain, passion, love, and pleasure, and that haven is the music itself, and this….! Is Owen, in the Music?

Your dream was to learn how to play R&B music, however you settled for Jazz due to circumstances. What was your reaction when you were told that the college only offered Jazz?  

That was a blessing in disguise, my original desire was only going to confine and limit the skillset as to what I can offer the music industry. Jazz music; the best art any individual can ever learn, with its variety and the composition of enormous elements, one is surely set to be sufficiently versatile, extremely productive and broaden offerings with regards to  production and performances. No regrets, this is the best decision I have ever had to make in my life

You eventually weighed your musical options on your third year and chose house “soul-fused jazz house’, why specifically this genre?

My music is a reflection of my exact character, and perhaps my personal attributes too.  I’m a very versatile individual, very creative and dynamic, and this kind of music allows me to be just that….You will notice a variety of elements in my artwork, always….

How did you break into the industry?

First things first, I have not yet entirely made it to the masses, this is a continuous process and the journey has been long ever since its beginning, however,  I am grateful to my team, Time Is Money Entertainment, be on the look-out for what is brewing off the horizon

Please share your great moments, you shared a stage with Freshly Grounds, Madala Kunene, Stimela, Salif Keita and Bongeziwe, how did you feel?

Extra-ordinary feeling, I can’t even explain it myself. I have never been that much excited, firstly because that was the biggest exposure and performance platform, what an opportunity I had. Secondly, sharing the stage with the legends and the best artists in the industry, one of the best times in my career is defined by that era

If you were to rate SA music with of other countries, what would you give SA and why?

Where we come from, where we are, and where we are headed, this is all equivalent to growth for SA music, we are competent production-wise and performance-wise, with the rest of the world. Our local content or art continues to penetrate internationally and the rewards and the accolades are sufficient evidence to solidify our position in the global music industry

Let’s talk about your latest single (“Joy” (la la la laa)) what was on your mind?

The only time you will hear emotionally intelligent and constructive sound is when you listen to my music. The vocal delivery and layout immediately followed the composition of the beat, I was motivated and inspired by a train of sensible events and I could only rejoice through the universal language; the music

Which artist inspires you and why?

Black Coffee, most definitely. No doubt! One if not only, of the artists who possess the skill to produce and play around with different sounds, and one thing I envy and value more about Coffee is his resistance and reluctance to be a part of the paradigm

What is one track from any artist album or your tracks that got popular that you can’t stand?

Joy is the best masterpiece to date, ever since its creation and production, regardless of the frequency of “listens & Plays”, the song never ceases to amaze and entertain, I receive and perceive only positive accolades, you should check it out, the best art in the form of music, by O-Zone

Where do you think the scene is headed, say in 2 years?

The main objectives are Significant Fan-base Expansion and Extreme Commercial Success, short-term; nationally, and long-term; both nationally and internationally, and I am not far from the former objective, the latter will replicate the success of the former, it is that simple.                                                                                                                                             What would you say to the young artist who wants to follow on your footsteps?

Do not follow in anybody else’s footsteps; these shoes are not created the same. In simple terms, establish your own objectives, pay close attention, maintain your focus and keep the discipline

Any shootouts?

It is definitely the perfect timing, 8827time, to extend my sincere shootouts to my team, Time Is Money Entertainment, my family; the belief, the support and a set of available resources, that’s what’s keeping these lives alive, these dreams alive, and I will forever be a music slave, over and over again to rekindle the flame and be the best, for the team

If you want to get in touch with O_zone on social media, you can find him on the following?

Twitter: @8827time

FB: Zuk Ozone Mbombo

Insta: O_zonezuk

By

MrMo

0603629747 (cell)

@josielemoshane (twitter)

Mo Moshane (facebook)

mrmo@kasilevesa.co.za