Derrick fails to fit into father’s shoes

Mbongeni Msimanga Sunday Leisure Correspondent
FOR some families music runs in the blood. But for others it just doesn’t because not all things are hereditary and talents are quite unique in their form. Even with maximum effort applied, the result will be a product that people will find just boring. This is the story of Derrick Majaivana who is son to self-exiled Bulawayo music godfather Lovemore Majaivana whose yesteryear songs are still a hit in the city and some parts of the country.

Unlike his father, whose music career was easy going as he churned hit after hit, Derrick is finding the going very tough in the music industry.
He has failed to capitalise on his father’s popular name to stamp his authority in the music industry. He has proved beyond any hope that his father’s shoes are all too big for him to fill in. And perhaps he lacks the advice to try other things that are not music. Or maybe he should be given some more time to prove himself or he should simply change his music genre, maybe to dancehall just like Guspy Warrior who is son to gospel muso Mechanic Manyeruke.

At the ripe age of 34, Derrick has so far released one album in June last year year titled Bayamemeza, although not much talk has been made on the street about the compilation.

Derrick joins a group of young artistes who are sons and daughters of music legends that include Peter Moyo, Sulumani Chimbetu, Selmor Mtukudzi, Tendai Chimombe, Dembo brothers, Amara Brown, Potiah Mopo, Biggie Tembo Junior who rode on their parents’ fame and have managed to provide their fans’ staple diet of music from where their legendary parents left.

Derrick has faltered in his pursuit of his father’s steps and has failed to wow fans as his father did before he moved to Harare where he thought there were better fortunes.

The not so young muso, however, downplayed his current underperformance in the music industry calling for patience among his fans saying he was going to release a scorcher this year.

He, however, said his fans have accepted his latest offering although there is nothing on the ground to show its appreciation.
“People have to hear what I have to offer them. I have so far released one album titled Bayamemeza and another one is due this year by June,” he said.
Derrick’s father, “Magee”, as he was affectionally known by his legion of fans, was one of the most complete and prolific musicians in the country during his heydays. His vocal prowess matched his ability to dance on stage, something that mesmerised crowds around the country.

He has ignored a petition that was sent to him by his fans who still want him to return and perform in Bulawayo and people seem to be looking more on Derrick with high expectations that he could possibly match his father and fill the gap that he left.

But he seems divorced completely from the people’s expectations with many saying he lacked the right tonic, maturity and aptitude required in the industry.
Derrick’s career has been marred by controversy. He has a tag of being a “drunkard” who cared less about his career and his life, something one of the Dembo brothers had also been accused of much to the ruin of his name and his father’s legacy.

Derrick, however, denied that alcohol has ruined his career and said it was only a way by haters to tarnish his image.
“There is no proof that I am a drunkard. I have performed well at shows with big names in the industry such as Alick Macheso. People are only out to ruin my career. My fans so far have accepted my music. My father advised me well when he left and told me to be brave enough if I want to enter the music industry and I have done exactly that,” he said.

For many artistes who are sons and daughters of music icons, following the success of a hit song is a tough act to master and Derrick has seemingly failed to master the technique of capturing the audience with his music.

In his Bayamemeza offering, Derrick attempts to ride on his father’s glory by packaging his songs in popular hits that propelled his father’s career to greater heights.

Tracks such as Amathendele, Umoya Wami and Konthuthu have not been welcomed by fans, and Derrick put all the blame on promoters who he claimed were one sided. He said they were not giving him the opportunity to display his singing prowess on stage.

“The promoters are one sided and we are not given the opportunity to perform on stage which limits me as far as marketing my songs are concerned. The promoters do not want to promote budding artistes because they believe we are not crowd pullers but that is not always the case,” he said.

Derrick’s stint in Harare where he sought to retain his father’s glory allegedly turned sour after disputes with his former manager Mandla Gama on allegations that he was unruly, allegations which he dismissed.

“My stay in Harare was good and I never fought with my manager. We had a good working relationship with my manager and I still think that my fans accepted my music,” he said.

It therefore remains to be seen whether the muso has what it takes to be another Magee or he is just trying to copy his father’s talent. Perhaps he needs to be advised to exert his energies in other things other than music as not all sons and daughters of music greats make it in the industry.