TOGO: Female Togolese reggae star, Kezita talks about her music and how she has managed to make a name for herself in what is a male dominated genre in her country

Record ID: 852008

  • Title: TOGO: Female Togolese reggae star, Kezita talks about her music and how she has managed to make a name for herself in what is a male dominated genre in her country
  • Date: 30th May 2013
  • Summary: LOME, TOGO (RECENT) (REUTERS) REGGAE MUSICIAN KEZITA REHEARSING WITH HER BAND
  • Embargoed: 14th June 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Togo
  • City:
  • Country: Togo
  • Topics: Entertainment,People
  • Reuters ID: LVA8U0JV2JRSC39HBGCW1CCS6S7C
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  • Story Text: Togolese musician, Kezita is rehearsing at home with her band in Lome, for the an upcoming concert.
    Kezita, whose real name is Zita Sandrine Ketologo, is a household name in Togo, and amongst one of the few female reggae artists in the country.
    Known for her talent in producing and composing her own music, Kezita has become an inspiration to Togolese youth, especially young women who feel she gives them a voice.
    The tweinty-eight year old began singing at the age of fifteen in her church choir, but it's her hit song "At a crossroads" released two years ago, that propelled her to stardom.
    The song, which encourages young Togolese to rise up and fight for their future has also given Kezito a platform to advocate for youth causes in her country, and earned her a following amongst young people.
    Tired of the music she was hearing, which she said often objectified women and with obscene language, Kezita says that she decided to show people that music can be uplifting and inspiring, and doesn't have to be vulgar to move people.
    "Today, there are many studios that are willing to help to promote vulgar songs and it works. It means that the world is upside down. The real message is not going through. When you have an artist who has a real message and who does reggae then it doesn't work. We need to be careful not to move too far from the truth," she said.
    But like many musicians in Africa, Kezita struggles to live off her music, in a country where there are hardly any record companies or producers.
    Kezita says that she produces her own music, funds her own music videos and markets her music, with her own money and donations from family and friends.
    To makemeet, Kezita opened her own hair salon, where she works by day.
    "In Lome, and in Togo in general, what counts is being self sufficient. I'm sorry to say it like that, I ask people to forgive me, but it needs to be said. The ordinary Togolese has to fight to survive, and often by himself. In music, there is a lack of support, there are a lot of talented people,. who are really good but they are forced to fend for himself."
    Kezita adds that being a women in an industry that is dominated by men and where there is no support for artists, has left her open to abuse.
    Choosing to sing a genre that is misunderstood by many and adopting the rastafarian lifestyle has also made her a target of those who don't think women should be singing reggae.
    She was recently a victim of a mugging in what she alleged was by people who disagreed with her rastafarian beliefs, who went on to cut off her dreadlocks.
    But with the release of her latest album, " So Real" , Kezita is more determined than ever to pursue her passion for reggae music, as she tours Togo with her band to promote her album.
    "Of course you want things to go well, so I often forget that I am on stage, because I feel all this positive energy and a lot of emotions. It's also the place (the stage) where I can really be free. And when I finish performing, I become someone else," she said.
    Kezita hopes to open her own record company and help to develop young female musicians.
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