Fungisai ropes in Jah Prayzah

Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
GOSPEL songbird Fungisai Zvakavapano- Mashavave has roped in the services of contemporary crooner Jah Prayzah on her new album “Social Facts” that hit the streets on Tuesday.
The “Highway” hitmaker also features Albert Nyathi, Mudiwa Mtandwa and South African Buhle Mahlangulela.
Fungisai said there was nothing wrong in inviting secular musicians to do collaborations because they are all artistes.

“It is only in music that we are classified with the type of religion. In other professions people interact freely. Most of the musicians though they are into secular music, are Christians,” she said.

Fungisai described Jah Prayzah as a “brother that I did not have all along in the music industry”.
“We do many things with Jah Prayzah. In fact, we find ourselves working together. Destiny has its own way of uniting us,” she said.
The musician said she chose the title “Social Facts”, derived from her theology and sociology background.

“The album is inspired by my belief in God. It articulates social values such as marriage as well as social norms of celebrating the end of the year at Christmas time. Ultimately it depicts the Zimbabwean society from a Christian perspective,” she said
She said her decision to work with other artistes was borne out of the need to cater for diverse audiences.

“Mudiwa has his own fan base and Jah Prayzah also commands a huge following. I was trying to spread the word to all these people. I am very happy that they managed to assist me on this album,” she said.

The six track album has songs “Super Power”, “Gore Rapera”, “I Know My Destiny”, “Wedding Bells”, “Jesu Ndomuda” and “Zuva Rabuda” that she says are spiritually uplifting.

Unlike in other songs where Fungisai’s voice seems to be fading, in this album she uses her full voice.
On the album, Fungisai shows her creativity by playing the mbira instrument in most of the songs. She is a qualified mbira player after studying at the Zimbabwe College of Music.

The pint-sized musician has captured the national consciousness since bursting onto the scene as a 19-year-old gospel novice under the wing of veteran singer Elias Musakwa.