Zim Dance Hall artist out to live his dream in SA

Those who know him from his home town in Epworth Harare, call him Mr Epworth. But that is merely because he was the first to shake the town with his breath taking Zim dance hall lyrics. 

His performance name is Lily Vado, born Trevor Makovere in Epworth Harare on August 13 in 1996. One might ask why three names for one person? Well as they say dynamite comes in small packages.

Lily was derived from a flower, while Vardo was his childhood nickname. Blending the two names together he says he is out to shine just like a Lily flower.

Lily Vardo arrived in SA in October 2017 to work as a Tennis Court Technician to help support his musical dream. He is certainly out to live his dream and against all odds he has managed to rock a few shows, showcasing what he is made of. He looks forward to releasing his third album in at Drinker Records in SA in February 2018. 

Trevor Makowere recorded his first six track album entitled "Who Dem" in 2014 in Harare. Although at first the album was not that well received, it did not stop him. He gave away his albums for free just to get people to listen to his music. 

Before long he was invited to perform at different shows in Harare alongside the likes of Tocky Vybz, Dobba Don and Magical. He came to be known and loved by many who listened to his music.

Mokovere went on to record his second album entitled Ngoma after ngoma (beat after beat) which is a showcase of real Zim Dance hall, beat after beat. 

Writing his music from his life experiences, Trevor is out to prove that one’s background does not define one’s future and that with hard work and determination comes success.

" l suffered much stereotyping because l came from a poor community in Epworth, but that only gave me strength to persevere and achieve my dream. l had to work hard to be where l am today but this is only the beginning." He said.

Popular songs from his first album include Nhamo (Poverty), Rudo ibofu (love is blind) and Munhu mutema (a black man), songs which highlight some of his life experiences.

Lily Vado says his love for musical beats inspired him to become a musician. The 18-year-old artist breathes, walks and talks music. Growing up he used to listen to musical beats with so much interest that one day he decided to make it his path. His favourite Zim Dance Hall artist is Freeman whom he respects in the industry.

This love for modern music appeared odd to his family who are members of an apostolic Johann Masowe church. But Trevor was more than determined to live his dream. Today his family have come to accept him for whom he is.

Lily Vardo will be performing at a Zim Dance Hall explosion set to take place at Genesis Bar in Kempton park, Johannesburg, on the 9th of December.

With performances of this calibre lined up, the sky is definitely the limit for Trevor Mokovere.

Trevor is currently working on his third album entitled Jozi Alive which is a mixture of Zim Dance Hall and Afro pop music. He aims to capture a larger South African audience who are not familiar with the Zim Dance Hall genre of music.

" I want to live my dreams over the moon," he says.

#zimdancehall, #trevormokovere, #lilivardo,