Young Zimbabwe had the opportunity to spend 10 minutes with Draze, hot off his EMMY AWARD win. Humble, classy and proud to be from Zimbabwe he is flying the flag high and taking us all to the next level. Let’s connect with DRAZE in 10mins:
Q: Who is Draze?
A: Wow, I don’t really know how to answer that. I can describe me but I cannot define me. I am a man of God, a proud father and husband. I am an artist, an entrepreneur. I am a culture shifter and a disruptor. Draze is an expression of truth and love through culture.
Q: What’s the meaning behind your name?
A: People always ask me did I get my name from Drake somehow 😂, Hell nah! I had this name waaay before I had ever heard of him. My old rap partner Lil Jay gave me that name and everyone in the hood started calling me that. Jay was murdered some years ago. I have kept the name as a way of keeping him alive however people can call me Draze or Dumisani, it’s all good.
Q: What first got you into the entertainment industry?
A: My parents, Lora Chiorah and Dumisani Maraire Sr. I was born into a musical family. Music is not just something we do it is a part of who we are, it is a calling. To be honest I cannot remember a time in my life where I was not doing music. Jumping into the industry as a rapper did not come until high school but I was always making music.
Q: How would you describe the music that you typically create?
A: I don’t know that my music fits into any one genre. I’m a storyteller and a lyricist. I just try to create real music that moves humanity and touches the soul. I am however proud that on my upcoming album I am creating my own sound called “Ancestral Art.” I’m blending traditional African music with hip hop to create something fresh and new. As an artist it is a part of my job to push the envelope and to contribute to expanding the culture of hip hop.
Q: How do you like to spend your free time not working on projects or taking care of business matters?
A: I like to eat, I’m a foodie 😂. I love to travel and see the world. I LOVE TO DEBATE ANYTHING! I love movies, spending time with family and my squad “The Chosen Few.” Nothing better than a cookout with the homies.
Q: What has changed since you released winning an Emmy award?
A: I think the proper question would probably be what has not changed but to answer your question, EVERYTHING!!! My phone won’t stop buzzing (I may have to change the number). The price just went up (Which is a great thing), but more importantly business is booming. Now it seems like everyone wants to work with me so this Emmy has been gasoline on my fire. To be honest awards and stuff like that don’t really move me but I understand how the world see’s them. Don’t get me wrong I am extremely grateful to be honored amongst my peers however it is not awards that validate my talent. I’m stoked that I won but had I lost I would not be sad. So I just try to keep it all in perspective.
Q:What’s your future plans/ or what would you want your legacy to be?
A: My immediate future plans are to drop a new album this summer. Longterm plans are to term my label “The Chosen Few” into a house for dope artists who want to touch the world. My legacy however has to be much more about souls. It’s not my name on a building, an inheritance left to my daughter or 20 albums on the top of the charts. My legacy has to be the lives I impact and how they impact others.
Q: What advice would you give a person trying to make it in the entertainment industry?
A: Talent plus a bold spirit and hard work are unbeatable. We often focus on having talent or working hard but we forget about the bold spirit. If you never put yourself out there you will never make it. There are so many people sitting on amazing talent because they are simply afraid. Afraid to fail and afraid to succeed. Fear is a cancer, I’ve struggled with it myself but I have learned to listen to Gods still small voice and when he says move I move regardless to the fear I’m feeling. Faith is not the absence of fear, it is the ability to ignore it.
Q: Would you be willing to work with other Zimbabwe entertainers, also who is on your wish list to work with?
A: I would love to work with some Zimbabwean artists. I don’t have a wishlist but for me it’s all about putting the right artist on the right song. I like a genuine organic process. Other wise it feels forced which doesn’t make for good music.
Q:How do people get connected with you and book for your services?
A: Head over to my website www.theDrazeexperience.com and reach out. You can also hit my DM’s and someone on my team will definitely reach back.
