TK Hollun: Down but not out
By Munashe Rungano
While he admits the relocation to South Africa might have been costly to his musical career on the local front, urban grooves singer Tendekai Mushekwi- popularly known as TK Hollun- maintains that his move, across the Limpopo, was inevitable and has breathed life in his seemingly forgotten music exploits.
In an interview with the Showbiz from his Durban base, the Ndafunga Kure singer said it was a bitter pill to swallow that he had to leave Harare a decade ago at a time that he was enjoying good radio airplay and could still get some gigs lined up from Thursday to Saturday.
But the demise of the economy coupled with the dream of building a music studio led to his decision to pack bags for Mzansi.
“The situation got rough in 2007, although l could still get shows but the conditions were unbearable. Imagine at one time l went for a Mutare gig upon arrival l was told the venue and surrounding areas were load shedding for four days. l had to go back home empty handed and rather incurring a loss on travel expenses,” recalled the Nyanga born artiste.
He said when he got to South Africa he momentarily went into a hiatus and picked up a restaurant job as he settled in foreign land.
He added, “It was not long before l settled and met producers and my vision to build a studio was renewed. We started by recording some little or unknown upcoming artistes before engaging seasoned ones.”
That became the birth of his record company Shakestone Records.
To date his recording company has been pivotal facilitating tours for artistes like Seh Calaz, Freeman and Kinnah to name just a few.
He said after completing the studio he went on to acquire musical instruments for a live backing band to improve his set.
In the process he had to court his friend Dozen 12 (Desperate Gonyora) to enhance his set.
Since he started playing with his four piece band, he has managed to curtain raise for top artistes among them Oliver Mtukudzi.
Now a father of two, Kayden and Kyla the artiste who is cousins with China based Warriors striker Nyasha Mushekwi said his marriage to Chipo Esther Square has been instrumental in spurring his passion for music.

Family affair: TK Hollun and Mushekwi with their families
“After getting married in 2012 l realised a lot of positive changes in both my life and career. My wife has been supportive especially on my latest video Ikoko which l believe is a master class, although it has not made it to Mtv and other stations,” he said.
Turning to his birthday bash billed for the February 25 in Durban the singer said fans should be prepared for a special fete as the event would also serve as the launch of his new riddim.

TK Hollun, wife Chipo, Nyasha and kids
He however lamented his loss of contacts since his departure which has resultantly left his music in the cold but also took the opportunity to assert that urban grooves was still relevant.
“Urban grooves is the mother to all the modern Zim music. lf you look at it this way in it you get our own RnB, Hip Hop and dancehall. Its only that back then artistes were yet to identify themselves and the title Urban grooves came in as an umbrella covering different types of music,” said the 38 year old singer.
