Anaconda bites into success
Anaconda is among the young people who work hard to make something of his life, in a time of rife social ills.
In a township faced with the scourge of drugs and crime, there are resilient young people who strive to shine against all the odds.
Anaconda is among the young people who work hard to make something of his life, in a time of rife social ills like high unemployment rates and a lack of hope among Tembisa youngsters.
The Tembisan spoke with the young man who is a regular face on Tembisa street corners.
Tembisan: Anaconda is a famous name among young people. What is your real name?
Anaconda: My birth name is Calvin MacDonald and I am 31 years old. My stage name is Anaconda – the new King of Kwaito.
Tembisan: Why did you choose the name Anaconda for your stage name?
Anaconda: I entered the music industry at a time when Kwaito artists called themselves izinja (dogs) and I felt it is was too weak a title to represent the power of my music. I was inspired by the movie Anaconda and it was a perfect name for my art; I eat everyone in the music game.
Tembisan: Were you born in Tembisa?
Anaconda: I was born in Palm Ridge, Mpumalanga, to Francinah Inama and Handry MacDonald.
Tembisan: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Anaconda: I always wanted to be an artist. At first I tried out soccer and it didn’t work because it was a boy’s activity when we grew up; it was merely an influence of friends.
Tembisan: And how did it all start with the music?
Anaconda: Growing up, I used to imitate various Kwaito artists. People like Mdu Masilela, Chiskop, Trompies, and several others.
Tembisa: So what do you do now in the industry?
Anaconda: I am a music producer, film maker and I have my own record label with a number of artists signed under it.
Tembisa: You said you used to imitate artists. When did you start to sing professionally ?
Anaconda: In 2000 I came to Johannesburg. I lived with my mother in Tembisa. She was born here. In 2001, I started writing and performing my own songs. I didn’t have a record label so I would record myself on cassettes, singing to other artists’ beats. My friends and I formed a group of three called Maroboto. We went together to audition for a professional record company in Kempton Park. I was the only one selected from the three. The producer there paired me with the late Sipho “Sika bopha” Mahlagu to form a group called Skotch.
Tembisan: How did that group do?
Anacoda: It did very well, the support was there and the group was active for about two years. I never looked back since then.
Tembisan: Is Kwaito dying?
Anaconda: Kwaito music is not going anywhere. It wont die as long as Anaconda is still alive. If anyone dares to disagree with that fact, I challenge them to listen to my music and judge for themselves.
Tembisan: You are not only performing music, you also make local films. How did you get into film making?
Anaconda: I had video editing software and I just decided to try film production. So far I have sold more than 15 000 copies on my own without a distributor.
Tembisan: Do you have training of some sort in the arts?
Anaconda: I am self-taught. I learn everything on my own.
Tembisan: Where do you see yourself going with your art?
Anaconda: I want to grow my reach and sell beyond the South African borders. I haven’t attained the success I want but I am almost there. I want to sign up big artists one day.
Tembisan: What is your advice to young artists?
Anaconda: Push your own work. If someone refuses to distribute your work, does it mean it is the end of your talent? I did my own distribution because I knew I had the ability.
Tembisan: Are you working on any new projects?
Anaconda: The shooting of part two of my film is beginning and I am working on two music projects. I am doing a project with Mandla spikiri and Heavy-K. I am developing a good relationship with Kalawa Jazz me, and I hope to do more work with them
Tembisan: How do you contribute to the lives of the young people who support you?
Anaconda: I have a recording studio and I am shooting a sequel to my first film, so if any young people have what it takes they can call me on 074 667 2434 or 062 052 1645. And let us work.
