adminMbongeni Msimanga Sunday Leisure Correspondent
AFTER a musically less eventful eight-year separation, award winning Afro-jazz group Afrika Revenge has disputed reports of a temporary reunion saying they have decided to work together permanently to further the interests of the group. They promised their fans more gigs and songs as they work towards rebuilding their brand.
The group duo of Mehluli “Tazz” Moyo and Willis “Afirikki” Wattafi entered the entertainment scene more than a decade ago with their hit debut album Africa Revenge Presents Qaya music.
They rubbished reports claiming that theirs was a “temporary reunion”, saying their reunion was not experimental.
The two said they have cemented a union that had seen them releasing two singles Amehlo Akhe and Chipikiri that were playing on local radio stations.
“The band is back together and from now on we are going to be working as a team. So far we have released two singles, Amehlo Akhe and Chipikiri and they are being played on local radio stations. The union is not temporary as has been reported,” said Moyo.
The duo had separated on temporary solo accounts but kept the Afrika Revenge flame alive where they would perform their trademark music that carried a jazz feel.
“We basically kept the group together and I personally performed at solo shows that had the original Afrika Revenge feel. It is generally the same music that we performed as a group, and we are back with the group, complete as one this time,” said another group member Wattafi.
Their reunion was felt at the recently held Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima) in October that proved to be the right platform for the duo as they got a chance to stage a special performance that arguably left most fans delighted.
They, however, confirmed that plans were underway to stage shows around the country, with their first reunion album set to be released early next year.
“We are also set to hold shows around the country soon and we will also release a song in the first quarter of next year. We have had a few inquiries for us to perform so we are looking forward to it,” he said.
Afrika Revenge members, Tazz and Wattafi started off their careers in 1998 when they were still part of the now defunct Soul Eternal group, a rave and soul group.
They rose to fame in 2004 with their track “Wanga” which won song of the year at the Zima’s, Best Male Artiste, Best Jazz Album and Best New Comer at the same event on that evening.
The same year saw the group sharing the stage with Senegalese legend Ismael Lo during the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa).
The following year proved fruitful for them as they went on to scoop a National Arts Merit Award (Nama) for the outstanding album.
The duo have shared the stage with reputable names in the entertainment industry such as Soul Brothers, Oliver Mtukudzi, Tongai Moyo, Alick Macheso, Tanga Wekwa Sando, and South African stars Judith Sephuma, Jabu Khanyile, Jimmy Dludlu, Swazi Dlamini, Wonder Baloyi, Mandoza, Mafikizolo, Bongo Maffin and Ringo Madlingozi.
Online Reporter