Online Reporter
Moffat Mungazi
Entertainment Reporter
TALENTED musician, Simbarashe Gift Muchita, is relishing the imminent release of a new studio album, which he believes will refine his evolving career and galvanise his genre.
Popular by his stage name, Hungwe Vanorema, the sungura prodigy has been in the game long enough to have morphed his own unique sound he has christened “QAMA” — an acronym for Quality Audible Music of Africa.
Now on the verge of churning out his seventh album, Muchita is determined to score a huge milestone and leave an indelible mark in the industry.
He revealed in an interview this week that he is polishing the latest offering — titled “Wakadiwa Nashe” — projecting it for release in the second half of this year.
“Hungwe Stars are presently working on a new full album. It carries six tracks and half of the album compilation is ready now as we finish perfecting the others. In fact, the title track, “Kuziva Kunashe,” is already out and trending on YouTube. This is just a teaser of what our legion of fans can look forward to when the whole album is eventually out,” said Muchita, a proficient bassist.
The Hungwe Stars band leader said “Wakadiwa Nashe” touches on a multiplicity of themes that mirror ordinary people’s daily lives.
He said there should be something for everyone on the album as many will relate to the issues the songs allude to.
“The title track, ‘Kuziva Kunashe,’ borrows from the album’s name ‘Wakadiwa Nashe,’ which is basically an avowal that the Lord is Mighty, prevails over everything and we must defer to Him.
“We must be grateful for the gift of life in all situations because all is vanity. In today’s world, natural disasters and accidents are occurring frequently and sadly we all have plans, but God has the final say.
“Wedzerai Rudo,” as the title suggests, is a supplication to humanity that we must dwell in peace, harmony and unity sharing in God’s love. Love conquers all.
“On ‘Tiri Wenyu,’ we reflect on how the Almighty watches over us, without whose shower of blessing we are incomplete and vulnerable. ‘Vanosvishandira’ extols the virtue of hard work as nothing sweet is achieved without sweat. Deriving its message from the Bible in Psalms 113 verse 3, ‘Rumbidzo’ speaks of the need for people to glorify God by nourishing their souls just as they feed their bodies,” explained the “Hezvo Vabereki” singer.
Riding on a jiti flavour, the track “Mabhora” crystalises a wife’s predicament, whose husband is so obsessed with football that it has almost become his second nature.
Muchita, who has exchanged notes and shared experiences with fellow artistes, said he will continue working with different other musicians and producers.
In 2003, he collaborated with gospel divas, Agatha Murudzwa and Cloris Machuwaire as well as Romeo Gasa and Willard Lot, formerly of Utakataka Express on the track “Tayambutswa Nashe”.
On his latest offering, he joined forces with producers, Jabulani Ndlovu, Joseph Makiwa and Gideon Wonder for what he described as a winning combination.
He also outlined his plans for the remainder of this year.
“Hungwe Stars will continue holding live shows throughout the country to promote the forthcoming new album. We also treat our fans to our old music. We are always available for booking for performances at both public and private functions,” said Muchita, paying tribute to their legions of fans, show promoters and venue owners for their cherished support.
Muchita said the release of “Wakadiwa Nashe” will serve as precursor to several videos for the new tracks.
