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Dj Tich D-Fyne behind the decks

French-based Zimbabwean turntablist Tichaona Chikwira, popularly known as DJ Tich D-Fyne, is representing the country overseas.
The DJ — who prefers vinyl to CDs — has rubbed shoulders with international stars like Omarion, Waka Flocka Flame and Sean Paul, to mention a few. He takes pride in being Zimbabwean and does not hide it from anyone who cares to listen.

D-Fyne has become the life of the party in France, where he has set up his base. Senior Entertainment Reporter Jonathan Mbiriyamveka (JM) spoke to D-Fyne (TC) about the music scene and his career.

JM: Your real name and surname?
TC: Tichaona Chikwaira, I was born in Harare and I started dee-jaying around 1997. Then I worked with almost all the big names at the time.

The likes of D-Nice, D-Vine, T-Bass & P-Stylez, D-Nosh, Kimble Rodgers, (Tich) Mataz, Dean, Jadie Jam and the late Smoove, just to mention a few.

JM: Which are some of the places which you used rock?
TC: Circus, Room 10, Kebab, Monako, Club Mambo, Archies, Solomons in Kwekwe, as well as Visions in Bulawayo.

JM: When did you leave Zimbabwe?
TC: I left around 2009, things had slowed down for me in Zimbabwe and I had a job offer abroad and I jumped on it.

JM: Do you have family? Tell us about your wife and children?
TC: Yes, I am happily married for 14 years, my wife is into tourism and we have three boys.

JM: What are you doing to promote local music abroad?
TC: I have guys like Nox and Stunner who send me their tracks which I introduce abroad. I also do mixtapes that are distributed online internationally while hard copies are distributed in France, Switzerland, Germany and the UK. I always make sure that I include a couple of Zimbabwean artistes on the mixtapes.

JM: Which Zimbabwean music do you normally play in the club?
TC: Tracks from Nox, Stunner and  Winky D are listener-friendly and I play some of their tracks mostly at African events.

JM: What’s your comment on Zimbabwean music?
TC: At the moment Zimbabwean music needs fine-tuning for it to be appreciated on the international scene, compared to South African music like afro-house or Naija music, which you can play in the clubs without thinking twice.
However, suffice to say, Zimbabwean artistes are getting there.

JM: Which are some of the European clubs that you have rocked?
TC: I have been a resident DJ in Basel, Singerhaus, D’rumba, Velvet Club and Venue lounge, which are all in Switzerland.
And then I have played in Germany at Universal Dog Lahr, Rebus Auggen , q3 Waldshut, qu Lounge Frieburg and in France I played at Palladium, La Flex, Jet 7, Salle de Coffre and macumba.

JM: What are some of your memorable gigs?
TC: My first big moment was when I warmed up for Trevor Nelson, that was in Quake Club Woking. I cherish every moment I’m behind the decks because I love music and I always want to share my music knowledge as well as displaying my skills on the decks.

JM: Tell us some of the international artistes that you’ve rubbed shoulders with?,
TC: I was honoured to share the decks and interact with the likes of Fatman Scoop, Lil Jon, Sean Paul, Omarion, Wacka Flocka Flame, Major Lazer, Ryan Leslie, Lloyd, Wayne Wonder, Serani, Red Cafe, Fabulous, EVE, Lloyd Banks, Redman and UK DJs Trevor Nelson, Tim Westwood and Chris Goldfinger.

Whenever I reveal that I am from Zimbabwe they don’t believe that there could be such talent coming from that country.

JM: Tell us what’s trending in European clubs?
TC: I have played in Germany, Switzerland, France and there is “trap”, “twerk”, “moombathon” and what I would call bubblegum music but in between the sets nothing beats R&B and hip-hop

JM: How often do you visit Zimbabwe?
TC: Well, it all depends with my schedule at times I come home once a year.

JM: You seem to be enjoying vinyls more than CDs, who is your inspiration/mentor?
TC: Djing has really evolved from vinyl to software, the fundamentals are the same.
However, with vinyl it makes you a better Dj than the next person who uses a laptop or the seratos. I am big fan of Dj Jazzy Jeff, he is great on the decks.

JM: Any special message to the Zim artistes or DJs?
TC: The industry has plenty of opportunities and obstacles as well, either you sink or swim. Self-belief, perseverance and never rely on anyone to do anything for you but yourself.

I would also like to appeal to DJs as well as artistes to support each other because we are all doing it for the love of art.