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Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
The yesteryear hit “Kurwizi” featuring the late Jamal and Betty Makaya remains one of the best contemporary songs ever to be produced in Zimbabwe after 2000. The song, that topped the charts in 2003 and was eventually voted the Song of the Year, showed depth, creativity and a high level of ingenious on the part of the composers.
The fusion of the lyrics that rhymed well with the exploration of flora and fauna in the song made it a favourite of lovebirds.
Like Leonard Zhakata’s song “Maruva Enyika”, the song left many who were out of love yearning for someone to share matters of the heart with.
So powerful was the song that many people still remember every verse and line in the hit.
Ten years down the line, it is still difficult to find an urban groove song that won the hearts of many like “Kurwizi”.
While many people will remember the song, the melodious beat and the unmistakable voice of Makaya and the late Jamal Nyika Mataure who passed on last Wednesday, sadly the two never had the opportunity to do another duet.
While Makaya was announcing her return on the music scene with two singles, Jamal was being buried in Mutare on Friday.
Now based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Betty has had her fair of turbulent times that forced her into a five-year forced break from music.
However, she has since had a change of heart, as attested by the release of her two songs.
After her meteoric rise, Makaya was voted the Best Urban Groove Artiste in 2004 at the Zimbabwe Music Awards. For producing such a gem, many Zimbabweans thought they had found their own version of Celine Dione.
However, after a few songs among them the hit tracks “Amai”, “Ndakusuwa” and “Wakaenda”, the musician fizzled out and took a hiatus.
Makaya, who has bounced back with two new singles “Chokwadi” and “Maybe” said music was a calling.
She said she had to revive her musical career after realising that she could not continue to ignore her undying passion in the arts.
“I have always been singing for as long as I can remember. I sang in the choir at school and at church with my mother in the praise and worship team.
“This was all before I was 18. So let’s just say I have never stopped music, but I only took a break five years ago,” she said.
The petite but talented musician added that she was deeply shocked with Jamal’s death, adding that she kept on hoping that the two would rekindle their passion for music.
Now a mother, Betty said she is determined to keep her fans smiling with her music.
“I will be shooting a video of the song ‘Handei’ with Nox (Guni) in two weeks’ time. I hope people will remember me,” she said.
While Makaya was mulling a massive comeback, the story was not the same with Jamal, who passed on last week.
Talking to this reporter a few weeks before the death of her son, Jamal’s mother Ruth said there was no possibility of him coming back on the entertainment scene owing to his frail health.
Rather than think about the possibility of his son’s comeback on the musical scene, Ruth was concerned about the lack of support from fellow musicians, something she did not expect.
Jamal tried a comeback, but failed when he roped in a Mozambican producer on the songs “Baba Tavakunorara”, “Mira Padoko”, “Menina” and” Mwana Wechikoro”.
Online Reporter