Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
UK-BASED singer Ngoni Kambarami’s three-week vacation at home is over and yesterday he flew back to his European base.
The 42-year-old musician is now a truck driver in the UK. Reflecting on his stay back home in Zimbabwe, the urban grooves artist said he was overwhelmed by the genuine love and support he received from fans, family and friends.“It was wonderful to be back home for three weeks, and I can safely say that fans still love me even though I now live overseas with my family,” Kambarami told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
“During my visit, I launched my new album, ‘Chronicles’, at Mbare Grills.
“I also linked up with my long-time friends, including Alexio Kawara, Tally B and Diana Samkange, who helped make the album launch a huge success.
“Had it not been for their presence, I don’t think I would have managed to pull it off on my own. I was also blown away by the fans who sang along to most of my songs during the launch.
“We also held a series of other performances, and everywhere I went I was warmly embraced by fans.”
Explaining the meaning behind the album title, ‘Chronicles’, Kambarami said it reflects his personal journey through life.
“Chronicles is basically my diary, documenting the different phases of my life and the lessons I have learnt along the way. As usual, the album contains a lot of love songs, but it also reflects how I perceive life, love, people and the struggles we all go through. It also celebrates the good times.
“Working on this project taught me a lot because I handled most of the work by myself, although I also had the opportunity to collaborate with one or two artists.”
Kambarami, who works as a truck driver in the UK, said he remains actively involved in music and regularly collaborates with fellow Zimbabwean urban grooves pioneers based there. “I have never stopped making music since relocating overseas, and we frequently perform alongside Leonard Mapfumo and Decibel. We also organise the Urban Connect Concert, which mainly targets Zimbabweans who still resonate with our music.
“There are many Zimbabweans who have settled in the UK for years, but the sense of nostalgia is difficult to overcome. That is why we continue organising these shows. It is usually an intimate affair where fans get up close and personal with us while reconnecting with the music they grew up listening to.”Despite balancing music with his day job, Kambarami said he remains committed to recording new material.
“I always find time to record new music, which I share on my various platforms. For the record, I am a truck driver, and it is an honest job that puts food on my table. I love my job and I am proud of it.”
On the family front, Kambarami said one of the highlights of his visit was honouring his late mother by erecting her tombstone.
“Besides my busy schedule during my three-week visit home, I managed to erect my late mother’s tombstone and spend quality time with my relatives. It was also wonderful catching up with family and friends after many years, and I am happy that I managed to accomplish some of the goals I had set for this trip.”
Kambarami, who also reconnected with both old and new fans in the ghetto where he grew up, urged Zimbabweans from all walks of life to join the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“I would like to encourage people from different walks of life to join the fight against drug and substance abuse. I am glad that many awareness campaigns are being held because they show that we are all playing our part in fighting this new cancer in our society.”
A product of Zimbabwe’s golden era of urban grooves, Kambarami belongs to the same generation as Rockford Josphat, Decibel, Alishias “Maskiri” Musimbe, Nox Guni, Tererai Mugwadi, Alexio Kawara and several other artistes who helped shape the genre in the early 2000s.
