Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:01:19 +0000
By Terence Miselo
HE IS a full-time student of developmental studies at the University of Zambia. His mission is to attain a professional career that will help him achieve most of his dreams.
but with such a promising educational career, Lawrence Musonda still feels incomplete without music.
It is for this reason he combines school with his childhood talent singing.
Musically known as Slay, Musonda believes music is not something he does for the sake of it but something he was born to do.
“I developed an interest for music at a very young age. I loved singing during our school assemblies and also perform at most school events when I was in high school,” he says, “I used to even sing in a Sunday school choir at my church when I was only 12.”
Slay’s love for music is what has even given him a thoughtful approach to it. His aim is to create music that will foster change and remain relevant for a long time to come.
“For me music isn’t just a hobby it is something that I would love to use to change my life as well as the lives of the people around me. This change is in all aspects mentally, financially, spiritually as well as physical as my lyrics and songs come from real things that are going on around me,” he adds to emphasize his need to make music relevant.
He admits that his music journey has not really been easy as he has faced challenges ranging from lack of sponsorship to failing to promote himself through stage appearances. However, this has never at any time caused him to think of quitting. He has mastered the art of forging ahead and most importantly mixing his music with education.
“I have been doing music for over eight years and in all these years I have worked with the likes of Slap Dee, Badman Shapi, Maureen Lilanda to mention only a few. I started recording professionally in 2016 and in this period I released my first single titled ‘VANESSA,’ this song was produced by IMK Afrika of 100% music,” he explains.
Early this year, Slay found himself collaborating with Slap Dee to produce his first ever successful single dubbed ‘Sunzu’ under producer Shinko Beats.
“This song gained popularity in the streets of Lusaka and has to date received downloads of over 25, 000,” he boasts.
With this considerable success that registered him on the music scene, Slay outrightly pledged to do music that would contribute positively to society.
“As an artist I want to contribute positively to my country by helping others who happen to be less privileged than I am because coming from a humble background and a Christian home, my parents taught me to share even the little one has. As a student, I am supposed to be of inspiration to others and also a good role model and I should bring some positivity around me through music,” he says as a way of insisting on his reason to do music.
“My genre of music runs from hip hop, trap, house music and rap. I believe in diversification, so I find myself switching from sound to sound but I always make sure my music is of high quality,” insists Slay who gets inspiration from the likes of Drake, J.Cole, Nasty C and Kendrick Lamar. He is currently signed under the label A.I Records which has Kalenga Kamwendo as one of the managers.
“My next song is scheduled to drop before the end of August on this song I feature Maureen Lilanda, Dope GEE and Miss WIzzy. The song is titled ‘MWISAKAMANA’ dedicated to every Zambian citizen going through any hardships. I plan on been around and relevant for a very longtime,” he adds.
