admin
Auxilia Katongomara Entertainment Correspondent
RENOWNED imbube exponents, Black Umfolosi have hailed Zimbabweans in the diaspora for finally appreciating their music and supporting them following a successful tour of the United Kingdom.
The group, which jetted into the country on Tuesday evening from a month long tour of the UK, said there was an increase in the number of locals who attended their performances.
“We were very delighted that there were quite a number of Zimbabweans who attended our shows. This is unlike the previous years where the shows were dominated by whites and other Africans.
The number of Zimbabweans seems to have trebled this time around and to us it really means a lot to be supported by our own,” said Dube.
Black Umfolosi, famed for its hit track Unity, is one of the most travelled Zimbabwean musical outfits boasting of more than two decades of touring the world.
It is true that a prophet has no honour among his kinsmen as evidenced by Black Umfolosi’s success story. They have a number of albums recorded and sold in overseas markets.
The imbube exponents have spent a fair share of their 30-year stint in the music industry on tours than in the country.
For the past 32 years, the traditional accapella singers have maintained their place as the country’s ambassadors and custodians of the imbube music genre.
They have travelled extensively to several parts of Europe where their music is highly appreciated.
A majority of Zimbabwean artistes have received a heroes’ welcome in Europe particularly in the UK.
Some of the artistes include Oliver Mtukudzi, self exiled Thomas Mapfumo, of late the first couple of gospel music, Charles and Olivia Charamba and urban groove artistes who perform for Zimbabweans who are starved of their home music.
During the tour, Dube said the imbube group performed tracks from their forthcoming 16th album titled Umhlaba.
“Our future is still green; we will continue recording more albums.
We will be finishing work on the album Umhlaba as well as the re-recording of our yesteryear albums which I am sure would be available on the market by end of the month,” he said.
Nine of the albums were recorded in the country while the other six were recorded in Europe.
Dube said during the tour, the group performed in Ireland, Wales, Pert and Scotland.
Their next trip is in July next year where they are set to tour Canada.
Online Reporter