BLACK ORIENT FROM BULAWAYO TO THE WORLD.

He exemplifies excellence and the benefit of hard work. His production credits include hits for Star FM’s JBoss, Tererai Mugwadi, not forgetting ‘Ndikadai’ by Varaidzo. He moved back from the Capital to settle among the Kings and Queens, and he's rocketing beyond the sky. The man who brought back Bulawayo's national award winning rapper POY. If you have heard about Mandie Mae's latest release; 'Do you Mind'? He is behind that one too.

Precious readers, if you haven’t already guessed it; Black Orient is the name of the artist and producer I'm talking about today.

THE FLASHBACK

Today Black Orient describes himself as an independent music producer whose specialty is Hip-hop, RnB, Afropop, Dance Hall and Reggae. However, his career tracks back to 2003 when he was 15. His inspiration comes from Timbaland, Dr Dre, Delani Makhalima and TakeFive as well as classic music composers like Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore and John Williams who gave him the zeal to produce a distinctly Zimbabwean sound with competitive quality. Black Orient grew up in Bulawayo as Lucian Rubaya.

DOES THE NAME BLACK ORIENT INSPIRE THE MUSIC HE MAKES?

"I'm a passionate pan African and the name is about the African dream, hope for a brighter Africa and a new sun rising on the African image. The quality and lyrical content of my music portrays a different image about Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole."

HIS PROJECTS IN THE CAPITAL

Black Orient was a silent partner of Block 101 until it's dissolution in 2019. While there he produced instrumentals for prominent Zim artists like Stunner, Tererai Mugwadi, Junior Brown, Tricky T, J Boss, Nembo Boy, Jusa Dementor, Boom Betto and Ba Shupi among others.

The soundtrack of YouthdotCom is the work of his hands. Moreover, he is a consultant producer behind the 2013 BornFree crew album.

THE REASON FOR MOVING TO BULAWAYO

"I grew up here. My parents moved to Tsholotsho when I was 4 in 1992. Then my dad was posted by work to Bulawayo when I was 7 to Gwanda also. In 2003 I emigrated to the UK. Four years later I came back and lost my dad while he worked in Masvingo. Then I had to live with family in Harare and Chinhoyi between 2008 and 2010. I moved back to Bulawayo because it is my home. I find it free and peaceful."

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO IN BULAWAYO?

"I released 'Do you Mind' with Mandie Mae on the 27th of August. ‘Chikwambo’ is the debut I made with POY in 2020, breaking my 10 year silence in the music industry. I am also working with Ronald Stone from the Family Voices, Vuyo Brown, Ashleigh Love, Shala and the House DJ MduSeven. There are several other songs lined up for release with the above mentioned artists. I have also partnered with RedLense Media and Brag Better Visions for visuals."

EXPERIENCES IN THE CITY

“Bulawayo is easy going. Some may complain that it's slow but I'm grateful for the easy going peaceful pace. For that reason we don't experience what I've seen in other places. I initially wanted a break to sort out my life. It's then that I studied to attain my degree in Forest and Wildlife management at NUST.

I'm always seeing lots of opportunities here. Everything most people think is a problem in Bulawayo is an opportunity to an enterprising mind. That's why I got back to the arts. I saw an opportunity for someone who can deliver quality and get Bulawayo artists the national recognition they deserve. It was slow when it all started off because most artists doubted when I invited them to work. I was still setting up my studio then. Surprisingly, I ended up attracting the most talented and dedicated ones.”

BLACK ORIENT FORECAST

New releases with Ronald Stone, Ashleigh Love, more Mandie Mae, POY and Vuyo Brown. Production work for local artists including T1nda. Some local movie soundtracks and collaborations with Harare and diaspora producers and artists.

IF BLACK ORIENT COULD BE 16 AGAIN, HOW WOULD HE LIVE?

"I would put God first. I would take my musical talent more seriously and study the business around it. I would keep the friends I make and not try to fit in. I would stay very far away from drugs."