After 25 years abroad, Zimbabwean musician Daecolm has returned home, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a passion for collaboration.
Born to Zimbabwean parents, Daecolm's musical journey began at the age of 14, inspired by his father and fuelled by the early influences of Mafikizolo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and later African contemporary rhythms.
He describes his sound as ‘boundless,’ seamlessly blending Afrobeats, Amapiano and RnB in his latest releases.
His career has seen him evolve from artist to songwriter, penning hits for artists like Chris Brown. “I started as an artist and then I transitioned into this writer, honestly, I didn't even know writing was like a profession. I didn't even know people made money from writing for other people,” Daecolm told StandardStyle in a recent interview.
Balancing both artistry and writing, Daecolm has collaborated with Beninese–born Nigerian artist Ayra Starr, Afrobeats singer, and songwriter Adekunle Gold, as well as a host of other notable musicians.
He has built relationships across the globe with artists such as Ty Dolla Sign, Trey Songz and some of South Africa’s brightest talents Shishiliza, Venom, Tyler ICU and Shimza among others.
But now, Daecolm is back and focusing more on his artistry and embracing his Zimbabwean roots while pushing the boundaries of African music. “African sound is so heavy and we are in such a good space.”
“Being back here is a spiritual lifestyle choice, there's no point in me being able to have all these relationships and sessions with all these amazing big artists if I can't share it with my people back home. I'm doing it in London, in Los Angeles, but why? Those guys have got opportunities at their doorstep, whereas here in Zimbabwe we don't have opportunities the same way at our doorstep. So I think this is important for me, it’s not about money, of course, you get paid for your work. I'm worth what I'm worth, but a lot of things that I am doing are for the passion and the love."
- I rejected Zanu PF scarf: Burna Boy
- NMB workers take on employer
- Mbavara eyes to resurrect Matavire’s music legacy
- I rejected Zanu PF scarf: Burna Boy
Keep Reading
Daecolm sees his success as a platform to empower fellow Zimbabwean artists, offering opportunities and advocating for their growth. “I am still growing in my world but wherever I can help, I just want to be able to be the advocate for that while pushing my music and everything I have been doing since 2017.”
The artist was recently in Harare to spark some collaborations with Tammy Moyo and Simba Tagz. “We are going to do a record together. We want to put something out,” he said adding that he would also be connecting with the Travellers Band.
His message to Zimbabwean fans is clear: “I want them to know that I'm a Zimbo at heart. I lived in London for a long time, both of my parents are from Zimbabwe and that never left my blood. My DNA and my whole being has always been here as much as I have been privileged to travel all over the world. I could be anywhere, but I want to be here. I lived in Los Angeles for five years and in London for over twenty years but I want to be here. That's also one of the main things. The second thing is just to let people know I'm coming. I have got some serious records and I am pushing the envelope with my sound. Thirdly, I'm open to collaboration that's what I'm here for. I'm here to make sure that I do my best to put people where I can. I'm here to collaborate.”
Daecolm's sound is a fusion of influences, from his early love for Kwaito and SA House to the contemporary Afrotech and three-step Afro House. This past Friday he released ‘I Might,’ a brand new single which is an exploration of love in its various forms. “So, I did this record probably about a year ago, maybe even over a year ago. It's one of the most, endearing songs I've ever done, if not the most endearing song. It's lovable. It's all about love the difference with this record that I want people to see is that it's not just that traditional person-to-person love.
If you listen to the lyrics deeply enough my message with this song is that it can be a newfound spiritual love. It can be a lost love, you could have lost someone whether they passed away or it was a breakup. It’s about regaining that love and even more importantly especially in the times that we live in it's really like falling back in love with yourself as well.” His other most recent releases are the tracks ‘Lessons”, ‘Better’ and ‘Confidence’.
He acknowledges that while some may only know snippets of his career, like his connection with Chris Brown, he wants Zimbabwe to experience his full artistic spectrum. "I've got 15 years in the music industry. I'm seasoned and ready to let people hear what I have now come up with.”
The artist who has three records on ‘Heartbreak on a Full Moon’ (Chris Brown’s 2017 album) met Chris at a celebrity basketball charity event in Los Angeles. “That was one of the most random things that happened, there was nothing to it. We shook hands.”
“And then from there I was just working on my music and had a record titled ‘Bite My Tongue’ that I was initially going to put out with Elijah Blake a friend of mine in L.A. He played the record to Chris Brown and told him “This is my friend’s next single”, and in a sudden turn of events I took it upon myself to say yes to the opportunity of him recording it because Chris loved that record and asked if I was okay with him recording it. Of course, it would have been dope for me to put it out, but I think I made the right choice and I don't regret giving him that record because from that one record, it became three.”
Daecolm's homecoming isn't just about music it's like a cultural exchange as he brings the world's musical influences to Zimbabwe. His recent performance at ‘Daecolm and Friends’ at Something Inside in Bulawayo alongside local talents Kyla Blac, Dakudu, Asaph Afrika, Dj Teeholla, Lowkii V, Bhekiwe and hosted by Arthur Evans is a testament to his commitment to fostering a vibrant musical scene back home.
