dyton mupawaenda
Maria Chiguvari
SEVERAL sons and daughters of music legends, both living and departed, have emerged over the years.
While a few have successfully kept their parents’ legacies alive, and even established their own brands, many still remain in the shadows of their famous forebears.
In fact, some seem to struggle to create their own hit songs.
Prominent among children of legends are Selmor Mtukudzi, Peter “Dhewa” Moyo, Agga and Albert Nyabinde, Morgan and Tendai Dembo, and Suluman, Douglas and Tryson Chimbetu.
They all share one thing in common — performing their fathers’ iconic songs during live performances.
Family names, like Mtukudzi, Dembo, Chimbetu, Moyo and Nyabinde, naturally provide them with a stepping stone and advantage over their peers.
This means even those who may not be naturally gifted singers can attract a reasonable following.
However, one wonders if their own children will perform their music, which, by and large, lacks oomph.
For Tendai Dembo, son of the iconic Leonard Dembo, performing his father’s songs is a way to preserve his legacy.
“Leonard’s songs are the backbone of the Barura legacy. We cannot ignore the fact that they are timeless and bring joy every time they are played. Before anything else, I must understand what he meant. It is a chapter that can never be completed, if it were a book,” he says.
But what happens when Tendai’s own children decide to pursue music?
Will they perform his songs or will they revert to their grandfather’s repertoire?
Tendai laughs, then comments: “That is a good question.”
“I think it is possible that they might perform a mix of both. They will grow up listening to my music, but they will also be exposed to their grandfather’s songs through me. I have great confidence in my songs.
“It is just that they are not as popular as my father’s, but they remain good compositions. My kids are still very young and I am creating a foundation for them so that their lives will be easier than mine. They will have a wider selection, playing my songs and their grandfather’s.”
Tendai is also ensuring that his children receive a good education, enabling them to make informed decisions as they mature.
The same holds true for Peter Moyo, son of the late Tongai Moyo.
He has released several albums since his father passed away, but fans still primarily connect with him through the late singer’s work.
Peter said he wants to establish his own unique brand and legacy for his children.
“It is no secret that I am what I am today because of Tongai Moyo. However, during live performances, I also play my own compositions because I have confidence in them. I have released several albums since 2011.
“Those who closely follow my work can easily see the progress I am making with my music. If I was not capable in my own right, I would not be filling venues as I do now. My fans appreciate me and my father differently,” reckons Peter.
He believes he is creating a brand his children will be proud of.
“I am trying my best to empower them through education, which is why they are attending school,” he says.
Selmor Mtukudzi has produced hit songs in the past, including “Hangasa” and “Nguva Yangu”.
However, since Oliver Mtukudzi’s death in 2019, she has mainly performed his songs.
Her stage presence has also shifted, reflecting her late father’s dynamic style.
Selmor maintains that this is a way to honour and preserve his legacy.
Agga Nyabinde, son of the late Bob Nyabinde, known as The Headmaster, says his children are still young, but he is already considering how to pass on his musical knowledge to them.
“I want to teach them everything I know. But I also want to give them the freedom to explore their own creativity and find their own path,” he says.
Agga acknowledges that some of his fans were inherited, though he has also developed his own unique brand.
“Our playlist includes my own music and my father’s music. When we perform, we have a mix of my fans and those who followed my father’s work. They request his songs and even when I play my own music, they often ask for his,” explains Agga.
“So, I end up playing his music. However, this does not mean I lack faith in my own work. I started my music career while my father was alive, playing my own compositions that were well-received. Therefore, I believe my children will appreciate my songs as much as their grandfather’s.”
Just like his colleagues, he feels performing his father’s songs is a way to honour his legacy.
“I benefitted from my father as a musician because he taught me the skill and I also inherited the rights to his music. I am also creating music that will benefit my children in the future. I will support them in whatever dreams they have. If they want to be singers, the path has already been created for them. It is my responsibility as a father to work hard and ensure they benefit from my efforts,” he says.
As the next generation of musicians emerges, they probably face a dilemma of balancing a legacy of their parents and grandparents as there is a wealth of material to inspire them.
Online Reporter