Young and upcoming song-bird, Jane
Nakamba has lamented the plight of musicians in Lusaka, Zambia saying,
musicians have been ripped off even by their so-called producers and by pirates
in the country. “Musicians make peanuts out of their sleepless nights in the
studios, the government should act fast to eradicate piracy which is like
cancer that has eaten deep into the industry. I believe the efforts used in
combating these criminals should be intensified and that they are brought to
book”. In this interview with Xtramiles, she spoke of her journey to becoming a
musician, her philosophy, role models etc.
How
did you discover your talent?
I started singing at a very young age. I
had written a song for my parents when they had a quarrel which led to their divorce.
I sang for my father, a love song though and I thought this would make him
change his mind about the divorce but unfortunately, it didn’t happen like I
thought it would. They both went their separate ways. That song to date is one
of my recorded tracks. Since then, I have not looked back in terms of song
writing and I have a lot of songs I have written and are yet to be produced but
I am working on them.
What
inspires you?
I draw my inspiration from God and my
mother who has stood strongly behind me in my most difficult times. She gives
me all the encouragement I had ever needed, I simply can’t describe how good
she has been to me, and she is the best thing that has happened to me in life
so far. I want to use this medium to say a big thank you to her and her sister
suzan who has been supportive as well.
Have
you done any collaboration?
Yes, I have done but it was more of a
group thing than with individuals. I actually started singing in a group called
Jacwise; we were three of us, Jane, Audrey and Chabala from our high school
days at Muzi high school in Ndola. We came up with a few singles and we had
performances at a few places although we were to come up with an album but
somewhere along the line, we were caught up with our different priorities and
went our separate ways. I am currently in South Africa, Audrey and Chabala are
still in Zambia with their different ambitions at the moment.
Aside
music what do you do?
Like I said earlier, at the moment, I am
studying Financial Accounting at Damelin in Johannesburg, Gauteng where I had
also completed a course in Office computing at College Campus but I also
squeeze out time to look into some of the songs I have done and those yet to be
completed and try to put finishing touches or modify them. That’s just me for
now.
Who
are your role models?
I am my own role model if I can say it
like that. I admire musicians in Zambia like Mampi, Judy, Lady K, Slap Dee and
Macky 2. Internationally, I look up to people like Beyonce, Rihanna, Mary J.
Blige, Neyo and Brandy.
What
would you want changed in the music industry?
Musicians make peanuts out of their
sleepless nights in the studios, the government should act fast to eradicate
piracy which is like cancer that has eaten deep into the industry. I believe
the efforts used in combating these criminals should be intensified and that
they are brought to book. I want to see
a situation where we as musicians will be reaping the rewards of our labor with
smiles on our faces.
What challenges do you face as a singer?
Well, as you already know that music is
a universal language, loved by a lot of people and the fact that the industry
is already saturated with a lot of new comers who are just like me trying break
even to limelight. It has not really been easy getting to the top and building
fortune and fame and retaining it.
How
has music changed you?
I live and breathe music; it has changed
me a lot. As they say, music is food for the soul. Becoming a singer has given
me a new life because I write, not just write for myself but for people, it
gives me a chance to inspire and touch other people and that is what I have
always aspired to do as a singer and it also gives me a chance to say my mind
out.
What
message do you have in your songs?
I sing more about love; I try to tell
women not to be vulnerable to some men who I would call opportunity seekers. A
lot of men want to take advantage of young girls, lure them with little things
like gifts, take them to fast food outlets and make promises to those girls
which would make them fall for their sweet-sugarcoated tongue and along the line,
most of these young ladies are used and dumped with those promises left to
float on thin air. I tell them to believe in themselves and put in their best
to be someone in life. As a woman, I have gone back to school in order to set
my priorities right and make myself independent and being able to help myself
in the future rather than rely on a man.
Are
you currently dating?
I have had a few relationships in the
past, they had their bad and good sides but it’s in the past. For now, I would
say I am very much single but not rushing to date anytime soon guess that’s all
I can tell you.
When
are we to expect your album in the market?
The full album is going to be in the
market soon, it just needs a bit of finishing touches here and there with the
sound track and it will be ready and displayed in shelves of most record stores
hopefully.
What
is your philosophy?
As an individual, I believe whatever you
do in life to others comes around to you. So, I believe in the popular saying
that “do unto others as you want them to do unto you”. Love as you want to be
loved. In short, let loose and take life as it takes you.
Five
years from now where would we see you?
I hope to make it big both in my career
and in my music. I want to see myself at the top, successful and having
achieved all my goals, dreams and aspirations in life.
