Online Reporter
H-Metro Reporter
IT’S the debate which is simply refusing to die down.
Now, there is a big number of local music fans who dven feel that Leonard Zhakata’s Mugove is the BEST song ever produced by a Zimbabwean artist.
For years, the good money has been on Leonard Dembo’s Chiteketete.
However, there is a group of music fans which is beginning to argue that the iconic hit song isn’t the best.
In fact, they even have a choice for the best − and it is Zhakata’s super song Mugove.
The song smashed all records when it was released and decades later it is still a favourite of many.
“The reason why Mugove is the best is because of the message which it contains, that is a very rich message and it appeals to all of us, it’s the people’s song if you want to call it that way,” said Samuel Marime, a music fan.
“Let me clear from the very first − I am a Leonard Dembo fan through and through and proudly old school.
“I grew up in the rural areas and Chitekete hit the music shelves at the time when I had just started work and I could afford to buy myself an LP and go and drink with the boys.
“It was massive and I think it is still massive.
“But, over the years, as I have become wiser, I have been listening a lot to Mugove and I think it is a better song, in every thin you can consider, to Chitekete.
“It’s the best, as far as I am concerned.”
Saul Makoni, another music fan, said:
“I think Zhakata doesn’t get the respect that he deserves because I think he is one of our greatest artists.
“He emerged on the scene when the best of them all were at the top of their game, I mean the likes of Dembo, Chimbetu, you have Tuku and Mukanya there in their own class, and this guy just arrives and changes everything.
“Mugove is what is called timeless classic, a song that comes once in decades and it is our number one song, just ahead of Chitekete.
“I would have called it a tie but I think Mugove is just ahead.”
Zhakata was 26 when he released his album, which contained Mugove.
“In 1994, a then 26-year-old Leonard Zhakata made an indelible mark on Zimbabwe’s music scene with the release of his album ‘Maruva Enyika’, which featured the monumental hit song Mugove,” H-Metro’s Europe correspondent, Forward Nyanyiwa, noted, when he contributed to the debate.
“This album, like the legendary Chitekete, contained four tracks and achieved phenomenal success, selling over 120,000 copies.
“Zhakata became the youngest Zimbabwean musician to reach such a milestone, catapulting him into the nation’s musical pantheon.
“Mugove was an instant classic, resonating deeply with audiences and often being compared to Chitekete in terms of its popularity and cultural impact.”
Here are some of the views of others:
Mugove is number one, Chitekete is number two, according to my opinion. − Charles Mushowe Sinyoro
Mugove is the best. − Jacob Chipato
Mugove ichakaipa nanhasi baba. − Daniel Marisa Moya
Number one is Chitekete and Mugove, Number three − Marshall Munhumumwe, Mbereko − Deandre Moyers.
Zhakata was 26 years when he released Mugove, how old was Dembo when he released Chitekete? JP is nearing 40, so using age as a barometer, LKZ tops. − Tarirai Mubwandarikwa
Mugove has a message that resonates with most of us, followed by Ruzhowa. Chitekete is a great song but the message is not that (great), that’s my take. − Columbus Sebastian Mavhunga
Mugove is the best song of all-time. − Tonderai Bhiza
Mathew Masinge