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Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
Harare will this Sunday reverberate to music and dance when some of Zimbabwe’s top musicians celebrate the life of dendera pioneer Simon Chimbetu.
The gig, which is a tribute to the late crooner will see more than 10 musicians alternate on stage at the show which is to be in the Harare Gardens this Sunday.
Simon died at the age of 50 in 2005 and left behind siblings who are trying to keep the legacy alive.
Suluman Chimbetu, son to the late Simon, will lead the Chimbetu clan – Allan, Douglas and Saiwe – before handing over the baton to Alick Macheso, Peter Moyo and Jah Prayzah, in what promises to be a high-octane show.
The gig that is being organised by Chipaz Promotions has all the ingredients of a thriller, when Macheso, Jah Prayzah and Moyo, who ironically share an almost similar fan base, will battle for honours for the pole position in the so called “Big Five” camp that has been largely disenfranchised following the death of Tongai and the emergence of Jah Prayzah.
But naturally, all eyes will be on Suluman, who over the years has largely been regarded as the heir of the dendera throne following the death of his father eight years ago.
With three albums to his name, Suluman has measured up to the task, although there are some schools of thought who feel that he has diluted the original dendera beat, by fusing it with a contemporary sound, something that comes out clearly in all his songs, especially on his album “Non-Stop”.
However, the young man should be credited for keeping his father’s legacy alive and building his brand to the top, something he has successfully and consistently done. He has also over the years evolved to be one of Zimbabwe’s top musicians.
The inclusion of Allan shows that there is no bad blood between him and Sulu after he unceremoniously left Dendera Kings to pursue his solo career.
The gig will also give Saiwe – Sulu’s sister – an opportunity to prove herself as a serious musician, after she sunk into oblivion soon after releasing her debut album.
This will be also a grand occasion for Macheso to prove to the multitudes that he is not a spent force and is actually growing his brand, following the departure of his three trusted lieutenants – Obert Gomba, Noel Nyazanda and Jonasi Kasamba.
For the “Young Igwee” and Jah Prayzah it will be business as usual churning out songs that have endeared them with their fans.
The two musicians are still basking in glory after the success of their new albums, and will no doubt want to go a gear up in celebrating Simon’s well lived life.
“Chopper” was born in the Musengezi area of Mashonaland West although his roots were embedded in Manicaland where his father Benson Chimbetu was born.
Born on September 23, 1955, Simon Chimbetu attended Musengezi High School before going to Harare to seek employment.
Chimbetu’s musical orientation was strongly influenced by his experiences as a black person in a racially polarised Rhodesia and Marxist ideals.
His musical career kicked off during the war of liberation, when he went to Tanzania for training. Simon would provide morale to liberation fighters through his music.
After independence Simon got a job at a tobacco auction company but his passion for music did not wane.
He played regularly at different spots in Harare. He was one of the many Zimbabwean musicians who found their footing in bands before pursuing solo careers.
He also teamed up with his sibling Naison, with whom he penned songs such as “Dr Nero” and “Nherera”.
With the band Marxist Brothers, formed by Simon together with his brothers Naison, Brian and Allan, they had a string of hits from the 1980s to the early 1990s.
Chimbetu realised greater success when he went solo, recording all-time classics like “Kuipa Chete”, “Ngoma Yanditora Moyo”, Mwana Wedangwe”, “Southern Africa” and many others.
His music could be distinguished by a deep, booming bass guitar that could be heard from way off.
Online Reporter