Online Reporter
Amos Mpofu, [email protected]
WHEN he released his single in December last year, Bulawayo-based musician Evidence Basa might have thought that the song would come and go like some he had done before.
However, before the festive month was over, it had already dawned on him that he had dropped a single that could have changed the trajectory of his career.
Nguva Yakaoma, released on December 6, has travelled far beyond the modest expectations of a young artiste still carving his space in the crowded world of Zimbabwean music. The song has gone viral, drawing a response that, by Basa’s own admission, has eclipsed everything he has recorded since he began his professional journey four years ago.
Speaking to the Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Basa said the warm reception has convinced him that he has grown musically and is now ready to compete with the genre’s heavyweights, including the famed Dendera music stars, the Chimbetu family.
“I am happy that people have shown love on my recent production. I now have the conviction that I have grown musically and I am gaining traction, as my sound is truly reviving the Dendera genre.
“I can safely say the only person I still consider to be above my level in the Dendera music circle is the late Simon ‘Chopper’ Chimbetu. As for the remaining Dendera musicians, we are sailing in the same boat. There is no one who is on top of me as we speak,” he said.
Basa, however, was quick to acknowledge Sulumani Chimbetu’s dominance on live stages, while maintaining that, in terms of studio production and musical quality, he believes he stands tall.
“On live performances, I credit Sulumani Chimbetu as being ahead of me in that department only, not in the production of quality music,” he added.
The confident musician said he believes he was born to nourish the world with quality Dendera music and remains focused on taking the genre onto the global stage.
“I came and I am not going anywhere anytime soon. The reason why I have been releasing singles is to allow my fans to listen first. I am pleased that the majority have responded positively to this song, and I am now working on a full album that will follow this well-accepted single.
“I want my music to touch all generations and all age groups, just like the legends Oliver Mtukudzi and Leonard Dembo did,” he said.
Basa expressed optimism that his long-held dream of making Dendera music international is slowly becoming a reality.
“I wish Dendera to go international and I want to reach the level Simon Chimbetu reached and go beyond it. With the album I am currently working on, I believe I can reach that level,” said Basa.
He based his confidence on the growing support he is receiving from young listeners, whom he described as the driving force behind his recent success.
“The 2Ks are the majority of my subscribers and they are the people who use my music to create content on platforms like TikTok and Facebook. These are the same youths who are usually obsessed with AmaPiano and Zim Dancehall,” he said.
