Mukudzei Kandoro Majoni popularly known as King Kandoro is an award winning Zimbabwean comedian, podcaster and all rounder creative. Over the past couple of years, Kandoro has toured around the world with sold out shows and now he’s targeting a different but familiar audience.
Back in August, Kandoro revealed that he had acquired one of the most popular music festivals in Southern Africa, The Unplugged Zimbabwe. A full circle achievement for the comedian who had been attending the festival for a decade as a fan.
The Unplugged Zimbabwe recently hosted its third festival under Kandoro’s leadership with a star studded artist line-up. We’re living in an era where creatives are both the talent and the powerhouses behind some of the most loved events. From artists to comedians and every other creative in between, they are no longer waiting for traditional event organisers but bringing their own ideas and creativity to life.
The comedian has built his career publicly, sharing the highs, challenges and major milestones along the way. We had a chat with Mukudzei on what it means to take over the much loved Unplugged Zimbabwe, preserving its legacy while looking ahead. On adding festival owner to that public career, Mukudzei says it feels like natural progression. “I’m a big music fan, and an even bigger fan of Unplugged. It it wasn’t unplugged it would have been something else.”
We asked him how he would best describe Unplugged Zimbabwe to someone who’s never heard of it and he responded:
Unplugged is the best place to experience live music, period.
On what it means to to him to take over ownership of a festival with that kind of history, the new founder said, “It means a great responsibility, 10+ years of Unplugged, it carries a lot of emotional weight to a lot of people, we have to be intentional with what we do, and how we do it. We can’t freestyle, Unplugged belongs to many people. I am just a custodian.”
Mukudzei revealed why it felt right to finally go public with the acquisition having already hosted two editions. “It started feeling like we were keeping it a secret to be insidious. The only reason I am in a position to own Unplugged is because of the people that have supported my comedy. It was something that I was proud of, and I hope they too would be proud to see what and where their support continues to take me.”
Unplugged can never change its focus on live music, every act at Unplugged except the DJs is expected to perform with a live band.
Preserving what the original founders of Unplugged built is important to Mukudzei who believes there is no need to reinvent the festival. “There’s no need to reinvent Unplugged, the core DNA of blankets and wine, of great live music is what makes Unplugged great, all we have to do is add the extra elements that compliment and stay true to that spirit,” he shared.
On whether Unplugged will tour other cities, Mukudzei said the main focus for now is making Unplugged the best possible experience for live music lovers in Zimbabwe.
Above all else Mukudzei shared that the one thing he wants Unplugged attendees to feel is the beauty of an Unplugged Zimbabwe experience. “I want them to think and say “this looks beautiful.””
