Dan ‘Chizi’ Aceda: It's music for now, acting is on hold
Nairobi was one of over 300 cities worldwide that hosted underground music gigs in support of refugees. PHOTO| FILE| NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- When I did "Look To You" with Jamaican songstress Etana she taught me a lot.
- I have always admired her and really followed what she was doing.
- I had wanted to work with her for a long time. We sealed the deal when she was in Kenya earlier this year.
His beautifully controlled voice stood out as he portrayed Jesus in the first instalment of the award-winning musical play Jesus Christ Superstar during the Easter holidays. Speaking to ActScene, Dan Aceda, better known as Chizi, said he is taking a break from acting to concentrate on his music for now.
Why the break from acting? I can say there are many things that have happened to me this year and it was a great honour to play Jesus in the play. I just needed a break from acting. I have turned down several invites because I am working on my music and will be releasing an EP late November.
Tell us more about your new music… I’m finalising a song which I am featuring the great Fela Kuti. Sometime last year someone from his camp visited Kenya. I met him and he liked what I had previously done and the direction of music I was taking. He proposed that I should collaborate with Mr Kuti. I jumped in with both feet and the project is almost ready now. I cannot tell you exactly when the single will be out, but after I submit my part, it will be up to Kuti’s camp to know when to release it.
What about poetry?
I have also been writing and Kenyans will get to hear it soon. At the moment there is too much political hindrance which is affecting the entertainment industry and I hope all will be well soon so that people can get back to the theatres.
You will be on the same stage with Fally Ipupa at Koroga Festival.
I cannot wait to be on stage for the second time at Koroga. I am a big fan of Fally Ipupa and hope we can finalise our conversation of doing something together.
You have been doing a lot of collabos with international stars.
For me it is eye opening to just collaborate with someone from a different culture. When I did "Look To You" with Jamaican songstress Etana she taught me a lot. I have always admired her and really followed what she was doing. I had wanted to work with her for a long time. We sealed the deal when she was in Kenya earlier this year.
What more can we expect from you?
Apart from my new EP, I will be releasing a full album next year. I am also writing different commercials and also in the final stages of negotiations for a movie deal which might be shot sometime next year.
