Q&A WITH THE AMMARA BROWN
Q. Tell me a little about yourself. Tell us a bit about your upbringing.
A. I was born in Harare, and also raised in USA and South Africa. My father was a rising musician, while my mother was the bread winner of the household. They were both self made, with mixed ethnicities of different kinds. This contributed to my complex upbringing, as my cultural exposure was quite vast. My talents were nurtured from the age of 4. I started playing mbira at the age of 8, and got into professional acting at age 9. My journey has certainly been riveting.
Q. What is your favorite childhood memory?
A. Eating oranges on a hot day as my big sis and I played outside in white dresses.
Q. When is your birthday?
A. 6.9.88
Q. Your full names?
A. Ammara Nury Brown
Q. Home name/nickname?
A. Mai Khameel/ Mmara
Q. Who’s the most important person in your life? Can you tell why he/she is the most important person in your life? What role do they play in your career?
A. My son is the most important person in y life. He gives me drive when nothing else will and is joy personified. I actually have a song called Khameel’s Kick, on my first album.
Q. When do you feel truly “alive”?
A. With my son, with good food, walking in nature and whenever I’m singing.
Q. What are your 10 rules??
A.
1. Talk to and walk with God
2. Be present within self
3. Learn to dance in the rain.
4. Remember success is a journey
5. Money is your friend and tool.
6. Share your wisdom with compassion
7. Guard your reputation with your life
8. Love with honest borders.
9. Win win win win win
10. Serve your highest purpose
Q. What are three interesting facts about you?
A.
1. I pick up stuff with my toes
2. I’m hyper mobile
3. I have a huge natural afro but I was bald as a baby for 2 years
Q. What are you absolutely determined to do??
A. Succeed on my own terms, and become one of the greatest forces of influence in the entertainment sector, on the African continent.
Q. Do you have any upcoming projects?
A. I’m currently working on my sophomore album Flaming Lily. I’m also about to release a music video for “Glow in the Dark”. It’s been selected as the title track for the very first Zimbabwean movie on Netflix, Cook Off.
Q. Tell us about the industry you’re in [Generally the music industry in Zimbabwe]. Why did you decide to be a musician? What challenges do you meet, and how do you tackle them?
A. It first began because singing was the one time I felt completely free. I met many challenges but the greatest of all is mastering self. That has been the key.
Q. Who/what inspired you to pursue a career in music? Who gave you an uplift in this industry?
A. I was 12 when I realized that this passion was a greater part of my path. My parents were an integral part of my support structure. Dad on music industry boot camp, and creative freedom. While mom was the all round superwoman, with consistent motivation and true sacrifice. They’re just 2 of the many giants I’ve been honored enough to learn from. Chiwoniso, Tuku, Hugh Masekela just to name a few more.
Q. What’s the one mistake that artists make when entering the music industry?
A. They don’t look at it as a business. Emotions can annihilate progress.
Q. Would you quit the music world for a different career path? Why?
A. I have always been one to follow my spirit. A career is fine but a purpose is greater. If I ever felt that my highest purpose is not being served, I would morph it into what it needs to be. That’s true success. Freedom.
Q. What impact does music have on your life, and on the society?
A. For my music is how I make sense of the world and my purpose in it. Human connection is golden in a time where people are glued to devices instead. Music awakens the spirit in connection with the rest of humanity.
Q. Which music shows have you had the opportunity to partake in? And how did these impact on your career?
A. There are so many that have shaped and propelled me forward. Idols East and Southern Africa. Entertaining millions of people every week while camera shy was a great learning experience. HIFA main stage 2014, Micasa and I combined to make a fierce concert. The production level was a great challenge. Headlining at O2 arena in London ‘18. What intense beautiful pressure.
Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years to come?
A. I see myself continuing to grow as a creative and as a brand on a more powerful continental level. From music to film I am definitely maximizing on all my gifts. Family life is my big reward.
Q. What’s the most important assert in the music business? How does ‘it’ help in building up career, and relationships?
A. Discipline, because hard work outshines talent in the long run.
Q. The song that caught our attention the most was ‘TICHICHEMA’. Can you explain the word, Tichichema, and can you also explain the message behind the song?
A. Tichichema means “as we cry”. The song is about a woman on an abusive relationship with an alcoholic. Loving your abuser is a common problem in society. You tend to empathize with them to your own detriment. I wanted to portray the pain and emotional conflict so many women go through everyday. The video is one of my proudest works.
Q. By far, which has been the biggest single release of your career?
A. Akiliz has definitely been my biggest hit. With millions of streams it broke me through the Zimbabwean borders and into the international scene. It was responsible for my Ammartia Ignite tour. This was after a string of hit songs like “Mukoko”, “Bhachura”, “Kure Kure” and “Wachu want”. All these songs showcased different facets and levels of my artistry, which drew in my fan base in legions at a time. I’ve been blessed.
Maverick Kabelo is the founder and editorial director of Africa’s Very Own Magazine. Kabelo is a business student, digital media enthusiast/entrepreneur, creative, writer and content creator. He started writing when he was just 16 after founding the magazine on Facebook.
