Our #MCM today is an Australian based Zimbabwean musician who goes by the name Audius Mtawarira, Mtawarira is a singer-songwriter and record producer who usually works mononymously as Audius.
Mtawarira attended Ruzawi School, a private Anglican boarding primary school in Marondera where he was amongst the first Native African students to vmbe enrolled. He went on to attend Peterhouse Boys School where he dang in the School Choir, he also played piano and drums. He completed his secondary school at Gateway High School in Harare, where he also took part in the school choir and participated in music programs.
In 1996, Mtawarira left Zimbabwe to further his studies in Perth, Western Australia at Edith Cowan University. He later moved to Curtin University to complete his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design.
Mtawarira turned his attention to writing and producing music, in 2002 he produced the majority of Selywyn’s album, Meant to Be which peaked at number nine on the ARIA Album charts and was certified gold. From then he went on to collaborate with Delta Goodrem on Innocent Eyes, co-writing and producing the number one single, Born to Try.The hit single debuted at number three before reaching number one on the Australian Singles chart and it went on to win Single of the Year at the ARIA Music Awards 2003.
After experiencing great succes, Mtawarira went on to build his own studio and record label, he is part owner of The Sound Academy studios in Sydney as well as record label Blindfaith Entertainment. He has worked to develop many unsigned artist through his work and kickstarting several youngsters who went on to achieve great success such as Iggy Azalea, Justice Crew, Anise K and more.
Mtawarira has also released a number of six albums as a solo artist, which gamered him popularity in his native Zimbabwe and South Africa. Some of the albums he released are Audius in 2003, Music and Me in 2005 and Day Like This which was also released in Australia through Blindfaith Entertainment in 2008. He has also won awards such as Best Urban Grooves (Male) in 2003 Zimbabwe Music Awards.
Aside from music, Mtawarira also owns a fashion label, Shona Clothing which is heavily influenced by his Zimbabwean heritage.
