Property Of Africa was founded on a simple premise: to empower artists of African descent to reach their highest potential and aspirations in the United States music industry, and to assist these talented artists in sharing their lovely music with the world.
My name is Dumisani Maraire, Jr., also known as Just Lyphe. As a Founder and Executive Director of Property of Africa, I believe African artists can achieve the highest of the highest of honors in the world and beyond if we simply promote more togetherness. By looking beyond tribal, national, religious, political, sexist and, indeed, racial lines, I believe that we can build a reliable network that will continue to feed the American mainstream with fresh sounds and talent from places they may have never even heard of otherwise. African artists like Akon, Black Smith Mambazo, Wayna, Salif Keita, Youssou N’dour, Miriam Makeba, Lucky Dube, Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo and Chiwoniso (the list is endless really) are proof of what great projects Africa is capable of producing when professionally coordinated and shared with the world.
The U.S. music industry is as competitive as it is rewarding. It can literally take years and years of dedication and sacrifice for even the greatest of musicians to break through. Even with all the complaints about financial turmoil in the industry, I believe it is a great time for African artists to establish themselves in the hearts and minds of listeners in the United States as more and more people are looking for a fresh and different sound that is not simply what they hear everyday. I believe this is not only a great opportunity for African artists, but also a great opportunity for major American labels . Many labels are starting to realize that current formulae for success are out-dated and the American market is willing and able to support more organic home-grown music, as opposed to what they have been continuously bombarded with in the mainstream for years without end.
How POA Helps
Africa has a surplus of extremely talented artists who may never live to see their true potential attained for simple reasons like a lack of funding for recording & marketing expenses including web hosting to build and maintain a strong on-line presence, graphic design for CD covers and other promotional materials, and final mastering of these projects. Aside from financial constraints (which just about every emerging artist has to struggle with), African artists are also faced with social, political and cultural boundaries which all too often brand their music ‘unmarketable’ in their countries of origin, and infringe on their freedom of speech and human rights.
Property Of Africa promotes artist freedom and togetherness. We hope to be known for being at the forefront of educating audiences the world over on both the plights and struggles of day to day life in Africa, and the tremendous beauty that is all over the African continent. Our primary medium of delivering this message is music as we know that good music is a universal language like mathematics, a smile or love.
Although the artists we work with are all deeply inspired by African music, our aim has always been to push the envelope and help carry African music to greater heights. In the spirit of togetherness, I personally have always enjoyed mixing and matching genres, and encourage it to all the artists I have worked with. The POA Warrior will expect to go from Chinyakare Hip-Hop, to Dance Hall, to Instrumental Gospel, to Afro-Pop, to some soulful Munsana and back to the ghettos of Mbare and South Central in 60 minutes. The vision is to someday see major artists like Snoop Dog, Jay-Z, Madonna, U2, and the likes to collaborate with the tremendous talent that is in the African continent. This will happen some day, and this spirit of togetherness is where Property Of Africa derives it’s motto, “African. Culture. Today.” Done correctly, it would be amazing to see the results of such collaborations, both culturally and financially.
My ‘Three Tees Theory’
Having worked in the music industry since grade school, I have developed a theory that I believe ultimately results in success in the industry, whatever your measure of success may be. I have christened my theory the 'Three Tees Theory'.
The first 'T' stands for Talent. I am fortunate enough to have literally met thousands of artists and reviewed hundreds of demos. Something I have learnt from these experiences is that talent is indeed a God-given gift. Everyone is talented in something, we just cannot all be talented in the same thing, or even what we 'want' to be talented in. On the other hand, I believe that anyone who has ever ‘made it’ in this industry did it because they possess some sort of talent. Whether it is making people laugh, cry, think, dance, listen, or fall in love (seduction is an art in itself that requires talent), they all have some sort of talent. The secret is in harnessing the talent and developing it in a way that people will appreciate and enjoy.
The second ‘T’ stands for Timing. Indeed, timing IS everything as you may have previously heard, but only after the talent has been developed. Without talent, timing is nothing. As you read this right now, the ‘time’ is just perfect to release a wide array of projects. However, the talent has to first exist for timing to even come into the discussion. Even those pieces of art we consider timeless are considered so because of an elevated level of talent that was possessed by an artist and shared with the world.
The third ‘T’ stands for Trust. Just because trust comes last in my theory, does not make it in any way the least important. Indeed, many a career has been destroyed or compromised by having the wrong individuals whispering in the right ears. Even those who wish you well may at times just not be knowledgeable enough to guide you down the path that was meant for you as an artist. They will mean the best for you, but sometimes it takes an expert and fully qualified team to achieve the level of success you seek and deserve. Of course, trust must first begin within yourself. The more you trust yourself and your team, the more you will exude confidence, and the more your talent will shine. Once again, at that point, it’s just a matter of time.
Dreams Can Come True!
If you are still wondering, “So, what exactly is Property Of Africa?“ Property Of Africa is the culmination of all my dreams. As a child, I can remember my father returning to Zimbabwe from a trip in America with some of the latest fashions, clothing that other kids my age in Zimbabwe didn't even know existed... yet. And what was the first thing I would do? I would paint over them. I would put a big Malcolm X patch I cut out of another pair of jeans right across the back of a brand new jacket. I always wanted something that was one of a kind. I always wanted something that made a bold African statement, while simultaneously strengthening the fascinating thread that is urban fashion.
It was natural, therefore, that Property Of Africa came to develop the Classic Apparel clothing line, which is now available online, and the Limited Edition t-shirt line, which are one-of-a-kind, hand-painted t-shirts that are only available at Property Of Africa’s live appearances at festivals and shows. Proceeds from Property Of Africa’s clothing and music are pumped right back into the graphic design etc mentioned above, and so the cycle continues.
The final element of my dreams (for now anyway) is to for Property Of Africa to achieve non-profit status in the United States, enabling us to directly assist numerous causes across the African continent that I have always wanted to be a part of. I dream of someday teaching middle and high-school children in America to play an African instrument, donating a text-book to an African school for every CD purchased, donating music software and instruments to my high school, Prince Edward High School, and others like it on the African continent, and being able to make a difference in an Aids orphan’s life so they do not have to scrounge on the streets like they do in many African cities.
Lastly, but probably closest to my heart, I have always dreamt of starting my own marimba band. I have now decided to call it Rusununguko! in memory of my late older brother, Rusununguko "Mgiba" Dikani Maraire who sadly passed away shortly before his 18th birthday. In Shona, Rusununguko also means Freedom and my brother was one of the fortunate children who was christened with the name because he was born in 1980, the year of Zimbabwe's Independence from colonial rule. Rusununguko! will also continue my late parents’ ( Dr. Dumisani Maraire and Linda “Mai Chi” Nemarundwe Maraire) lasting legacy as pioneers in spreading Zimbabwean music and culture within the United States, a legacy I am truly proud of and will not allow to be forgotten for as long as I am alive.
I cannot reveal the full extent of what is being put together at this time, but it is something that I hope every person who respects human rights, culture, and loves to dance, sing and shout will appreciate!
Together, we can achieve Rusununguko!
Sincerely yours,
Dumisani Maraire, Jr.
