DJ CORE ISN'T JOKING: T Sean's talented brother tests waters

WHEN DJ Core, born Desmond Mulenga released his self produced first single titled Joke in May last year, perhaps not many took him seriously.

But after following up his first release with three more singles within months, perhaps it is right and befitting to lend the budding artiste whose elder brother T Sean (Richard Mulenga) is a household name, an ear.

We caught up with the talented music producer who recently released a single titled Umulwele. The released song which featured Kas D Troy, Slim the Hitmaker and Goodson Chizo was released together with a top class music video.

“I would say that I technically started music last year in May when I released my first single which was called Joke. I will be clocking a year in the industry very soon,” he says while emphasising that the desire had always been there. “It was just a matter of time before I would go into it full swing.”

Growing up, DJ Core whose other alias is Dees Law, had always loved music. “I remember growing up, we would normally practice together with my brother T Sean and my immediate young sister from time to time. So yeah, I have always had the passion for music,” he says.

He says had he not been a music producer, DJ Core would have probably been a full time artiste manager.

“That is all out of the love I have for music,” he says. DJ Core has mostly been working as T Sean’s deejay at shows, something he is grateful for.

“The experience has been great.. I am learning a lot and I am grateful for the opportunity,” he says. His second single was Ikumbatefye and it featured Bow Chase and Jedi. It received quite an overwhelming response from both radio and club deejays.

He then went on to record, produce and release his third single which was titled Ecstasy. On the project, he featured his brother T Sean, Kas D Troy and XYZ affiliate rapper Camster.

“Then there is also this new single Umulwele, which I am currently promoting. So far, I am impressed with my works and the latest project is so dear to me because, not only did I work with exceptional people, but it came with a video which is a huge landmark for me because it’s my first ever music video,” he says.

DJ Core says he receives so much love from the fans and assures that he will not be a one hit wonder - he is here to stay.

“I am unique in my own way because I make beats and produce apart from the usual disc jockeying works. I call myself DJ Core as an artiste and Dees Law is my other moniker that is mostly limited for business and company use,” he says.

Having been in the shadow of an established artiste in the form of his brother, DJ Core seems to have seen it all and understands how hard it is to break through in the industry.

In the same vein, he has some advice for upstarts wishing to make the top drawer in the game.

“I have worked with many top drawer acts in the game such as T Sean, T Bwoy, Bow Chase, Camstar, Slim the Hitmaker, Kas D Troy, 4D, Jedi and Goodson Chizo. My advice to other upstarts is to simply say that everything is possible. Just be focused and determined in life and know your target and goals,” he says.

He says he will release an album in due course as soon as he has established a fan base.

DJ Core was born on May 4, 1994 in Kitwe to Memory Banda and Robert Mulenga. He is the second born in a family of seven.

“I have been brought up by two lovely families. My parents split when I was quite young so most of my childhood involved moving back and forth between Kitwe and Lusaka,” he says.

He attended Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula primary school in Lusaka and also Chiwala Secondary school in Ndola.

After completing his secondary education in 2015, DJ Core then enrolled at Evelyn Hone College in 2017 where he pursued a three year diploma in Science Laboratory Technology course.

“Being in college was an amazing experience. I learnt a lot of things, not only academic wise. During my stay in school, I was solely focused on school and I hadn’t gone into music by then, even though I would from time to time join to support my brother at shows. My commitment to music then wasn’t as it is today,” he says.

DJ Core is also grateful to his parents and the family for their unwavering support throughout his musical journey.

He says: “Few parents in Zambia support music and I know that had I gone into music before going to college, my parents would not have allowed me. So I had to do what my parents wanted me to do. Only then did I take the step that I took - which was to follow my heart and pursue music much as I am still a professional scientist.”

REZA MEANS BUSINESS: Budding musician brings tourist capital on song

IAN Mizinga is very new to the music industry but it is clear that he means business.

With only two songs to his name, the budding musician whose stage name is Reza has already set some airwaves abuzz with his unique style that many people who may have lived, stayed, or indeed Livingstone may relate to.

Also commonly known for the phrase ‘Muntu Wakamina’ which can be loosely translated as my person in a corrupted Livingstone lingua that can only be understood by those familiar with the tourist capital, Reza has received endorsements from the heavy weights, the likes of Slapdee, Petersen and Bobby East.

His first single Life Yakamina which was released in December last year received very good reviews and the artiste, new as he is in the game is back with another one - in a similar tone and language that could as well as be a dictionary for those planning to visit the tourist capital for the first time.

It is titled Mukaziswaba. Simply put, the title of the song that was released not so long ago is translated as you should be ashamed.

We caught up with the budding act and he shared with us his aspirations.

“Livingstone is very diverse and the people here do things in a very different and unique way from the rest of the country. For anyone that has lived here, they know that Livingstone is unique in the way people speak, unique to what they eat, and it is that same uniqueness that most people don't know about,” he says.

He adds: “That is how I decided to take it upon myself to put Livingstone's uniqueness on the global map through my music. My first single did very well and I even performed it on the same stage as Bobby East, Yo Maps, Slapdee and Nez Long. Life Yakamina simply means my life in our own special Livingstone lingua.”

Reza is signed to Mafasho Entertainments which is making sure that he records more songs with messages that an ordinary Zambian will most likely resonate to.

He says he will continue to tell stories, in his songs, about his hometown Livingstone until it gets the recognition it deserves.

“To many, this is just a tourist destination. But to me, this is home and that is why I will continue to do my thing the Livingstone way,” he says.

Livingstone lingua has a mix of corrupted Nyanja, Tonga and Lozi, a phenomenon that fascinates many first time visitors to the tourist capital.

The Livingstone born and bred artiste attended Shungu Namutitima Primary School before going to Holy Cross Primary School for his grade eight and nine.

He completed his secondary school education at David Livingstone Secondary.

Reza also has a Degree in Entrepreneurship Development from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.

“Other than that, I also attended Let's Live Life Coaching School in Johannesburg, South Africa with a specialisation in personal development and self discovery,” he says.

Reza is also a media consultant and startup consultant and is a licensed Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) License D football coach.

He has also assured his fans that he is yet to record and release even more songs in his usual style.

BEYOND GLAMOUR: Miss Global Universe Zambia Stephanie reflects

ALTHOUGH modelling is exciting, it is also a lot of work. That is how the reigning Miss Global Universe Zambia Stephanie Mulamata sees it.

I recently sat down with the model, who is also a teacher by profession but currently working as a counsellor at a Livingstone based non-governmental organisation called Contact Trust Youth Association (CTYA).

The 25-year-old Livingstone based model, who started modeling in 2013, shared her illustrious journey in the industry.

“My journey in the industry as a young model has been very exciting and also emotional,” says Stephanie who was born on October 31, 1995 in Livingstone to Steven Mulamata and Ivy Hachilenge. 

“Suffice to say, I have lost more titles than I have won. Pageantry has exposed me to a lot of things and it has boosted my confidence and self esteem.”

Stephanie says the modelling industry is not all rosy as there are a lot of hurdles for one who is aspiring to make it has to endure.

She says one for instance has to deal with constantly turning down sexual advances and favours in exchange for services.

“People tend to take advantage of us quite a lot because we expose our bodies then we are labeled as prostitutes and easy goers who can do anything for money. There’s actually more to us than walking half naked on a stage.

“We get to research and study very much. I have had many instances where people want to take advantage of me - especially with photographers. You know, models need photos to continuously keep updating their portfolios and to get bookings and deals. I have had instances where a photographer would entice you with a free photo shoot in exchange for sex or its equivalent. I have had my own share of such instances.”

Stephanie advises that such hurdles could be overcome by saving.

“If you can save, such instances cannot befall you," she says. "Support from family and friends is also key. Trust the process, take one step at a time, because as a model, you have this image to protect - so, it’s about trusting the process. Older and rich men will always be on your case to entice you with money, but stand your ground so that you do not fall prey to any of their advances.”

Stephanie encourages anyone wishing to take up modelling to ensure they try and get the support of their family and friends first.

She says it is hard to excel as a model in Zambia because it is not considered as a high end economic activity like it is in other countries such as the Philippines.

“Government would rather support the music industry than modeling," she says. "With support from the government, modeling has very huge potential to contribute to the country's economy and end poverty.

“When we are out there, we don’t just market ourselves but the country as well.”

Stephanie, who intends to start a campaign called ‘One Bag at a Time’ which will be looking at environmental degradation issues by encouraging the use of biodegradable and reusable carrier bags says models are an asset to a country - and they should be supported.

She attended Livingstone Primary, Holy Cross Primary before completing her grade 12 from David Livingstone Secondary school in 2012. Stephanie also has a Bachelor of Arts with Education qualification from Victoria Falls University.

“I guess modeling has always been my passion but it had to wait until I was done with my secondary school because my parents wouldn’t have allowed me,” she says.

Stephanie, who is friends with her father on Facebook, remembers how he at first was not comfortable with his daughter posting photos of herself in bikinis and revealing outfits.

“But now, he has gotten the gist of it and has been supportive ever since," she says. "I can say he is my biggest fan."

Stephanie's first pageant was the Miss Tourism Zambia in 2013 during the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in Livingstone where she, in her own words “fared terribly.”

In 2014, she scooped the Miss Community Livingstone and made top 10 at the Miss Teen Zambia.Two years later, she went on to scoop the Miss Victoria Falls and in the same year, she went for the Miss Zambia where she failed to make top 10.

In 2017, Stephanie was crowned Miss VCT and in the same year, she was runners up at the Miss Heritage Southern Province and went on to make top 10 at the nationals.

In 2018, she was crowned the Miss Africa International Zambia at a pageant in Lusaka before going on to be crowned Miss Global Universe Zambia at the Miss Tourism Worldwide beauty pageant that was held at the New Government Complex in Lusaka last December.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper.