Ras Clemy - more mature and ready for the big time

Just like wine that matures with time, Clement Nevari is slowly penetrating the tough music industry with a mighty sound.

Famously known by his stage name of Ras Clemy, this upcoming reggae star undoubtedly has the potential to reach the top, just like his role models Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Despite the negative impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown regulations, Ras Clemy is soldiering on and working on his third album, entitled Bulldozer, which will be released in August this year. 

A resident of Ha-Dumasi village outside Thohoyandou, Ras Clemy fell in love with music during his schooldays in Soweto. “I used to come out tops during arts and culture activities and my teachers encouraged me to take music seriously. Besides that, my fellow classmates used to enjoy my voice when I sang for them when teachers were not available in class. At first, I never took it seriously, until I realised that I did indeed have a musical calling.”

Ras Clemy said he used to steal his uncle’s cassettes and play them on a tape recorder. “During that time, there were no CDs and my uncle used to listen to artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Eric Donaldson on cassettes. I would go out and request reggae music cassettes from my friends and come home to play them. That made me fall in love with reggae music, and I also played that kind of music.”

Because of his love of reggae music, Ras Clemy started the group Bros Wailers in 2014. The group recorded only one album, entitled Sadomo na Gomora, and it later split in 2015. “I then went solo and recorded my first album, called Nzhoroma, in 2017. The album was well received by music lovers and it went on to scoop the Best Reggae Album Award during the AfriDzonga Music Awards in 2018. The award has taught me that the best things do not necessarily come from urban areas. I was able to beat good artists from urban areas who had everything at their disposal. It is important for us to use the few available resources to the fullest.”

His second album, Nyendavhusiku, was released in 2018. “Nyendavhusiku is still doing well and is receiving airplay on various radio stations. On my third album, scheduled to be released in August, I have worked with music guru Tongai Gwaze from Zimbabwe. I have matured more on this one and my fans will not regret buying it.”

Entertainment - Date: 11 July 2020

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