Draze, Dumi Maraire
Draze | |
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Draze | |
Born | Dumi Maraire Jr Washington, USA |
Nationality | Zimbabwean-American |
Occupation |
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Known for | Mbira Music |
Parent(s) | Dumisani Maraire (father) Lora Sukutai Chiorah-Dye (mother) |
Relatives | Chiwoniso Maraire (sister) |
Website | www |
Draze (born Dumi Maraire Jr) is a Zimbabwean-American hip hop artist based in based in Seattle and Los Angeles. He is the son of one of Zimbabwe's greatest mbira musicians, Dumisani Maraire, and young brother to the late popular musician Chiwoniso Maraire.
Drake has gained popularity in the United States with his songs Seattle Sweetie and Irony on 23rd. Other songs by Draze have been featured on popular US TV shows like Empire and Love & Hip Hop; on ESPN SportsCenter, NFL Network, and The Rap Game; and in the latest Speedo swim-wear video ad.
Like Chiwoniso, Draze is celebrated for the way in which he modernizes the mbira and marimba while infusing new spirit in contemporary music performance, and also writing soundtracks for TV and films.
Background
At the age of six, Draze moved with his family to Zimbabwe. With both his parents musicians, he was immersed in traditional Zimbabwean music and performance. Still a youth when he returned to the U.S., Draze was introduced to hip hop culture on the streets of Seattle. Draze has performed in his family’s Zimbabwean marimba band on several continents around the world, opening for major artists like Janet Jackson, Miles Davis, Jimmy Buffet, and more. As Draze, he has performed as an opening act for Snoop Dogg, Macklemore, Wale, Floetry, and others.
Tours have taken him to Korea, Japan, Guam, Hawaii, Europe, and throughout the U.S.
Discography
- Irony on 23rd
- The Hood Ain't the Same
- Nice to meet you FT Townsend
- Seattle Sweetie
- What up Pimpin
Videos
Awards
In November 2016 Drake was nominated for Zim Hip Hop award in the Diaspora category.