Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
BORN blind, Jay Munoz — real name John Munodawafa — has emerged as a creative force with a unique vision.
Originally from Chivi, under Chief Mapanzure, the musician endured various forms of abuse and stigma due to his condition.
Rather than dwelling on these childhood challenges, he transformed adversity into the driving force behind his success.
Bravery, focus and determination became his guiding principles.
Although his father Jonah and two of his brothers and a sister are also blind, this shared experience never deterred his ambition.
His brother, Munyaradzi, is a renowned pianist.
In fact, the entire family has proven to be a hotbed of musical talent.
Academically gifted, Munoz chose to deepen his artistic knowledge by studying Music Business, Musicology and Technology at Midlands State University (MSU), where he is now in his final year.
He aspires to cement his place among Zimbabwe’s finest musicians and dreams of teaching visually impaired artistes how to read and write music.
Known for his viral renditions of Alick Macheso’s songs — including “Ndakakutadzirei”, “Wemakonzo”, “Nguva Yekutenda”, “Pabva Zino” and “Shedia”— the rising artiste is not only a gifted performer but also a visionary composer.
Embracing his condition, he aims to transform lives through music.
“I was born into a family of eight — three girls and five boys — in Chivi. My father, two brothers and a sister are blind, a situation we have embraced. I attended Capota School for the Blind up to Upper Six, where I studied History, Shona and Divinity before enrolling at MSU,” said Munoz.
“Despite excelling in the arts subjects, I found myself studying music, following my heart as a multi-instrumentalist in my own right. I can play marimba, mbira, acoustic guitar, piano and, of course, the congas.
“From the look of things, I have always been a musician and it is something that I will forever cherish in my life.”
Munoz rose to fame by performing Macheso’s music and considers meeting his role model in 2018 a dream come true.
“I had to travel to Harare to meet Baba Sharo at his Waterfalls home and I was blown away by the hospitality I received from him and his family,” he recalled.
“He was glad that I was doing something amazing by playing his music on the piano and he spoke highly of my talent.
“When you get a recommendation from someone like him, it is a significant endorsement, to say the least. He gave me valuable insights about life and how harsh the music industry can be at times.”
He was not done.
“Baba Sharo was frank as he lectured me on how best I could improve my career. He wanted me to be original and find my own groove.
“He urged me not to look down on myself because of my disability, as he saw a lot of potential in me. I can safely say he ordained me and blessed my musical journey, shaping who I am today.”
On handling stigma, Munoz said: “Stigma will always be there, but I do not want to appear as a crybaby because I am talented in my own way. I have taught myself to stick to my goals because people will always try to undermine your morale. In my case, I have learnt that the best way to make an impression in this business is by staying focused on my goals.”
With the digital revolution in full swing, the artiste is embracing technology.
“I use the name Jay Munoz on my Twitter, Facebook and YouTube handles. I always give my fans updates via social media because that is the best way to shine.
“I should not complain about not getting airtime when there are other avenues to market our music and be heard worldwide,” he said.
He notes that in the digital era, one either falls behind or rises to the top fully utilising social media.
“When people question my authenticity, I refer them to my social media handles.”
As he nears the end of his programme at MSU, Munoz remains committed to supporting visually impaired musicians.
“After completing my studies, I plan to go international and host workshops to empower my peers. I also want to teach the theory of African instruments, especially to the visually impaired, using braille,” revealed the artiste.
He made an instant impact with his 2017 debut album “Ndidzivirirei”, whose title track ranked third on the Coca-Cola Top 50 charts.
He has maintained his momentum through versatility.
In 2023, he released his third album “Mupe Rudo”, which performed well, followed by singles like “Ndichava Kumusoro”, “Gore Rino Hariperi” and “Usakanganwe”, earning him widespread acclaim.
“I have been producing quality music with Blessing Masanga of Heartland Melodies. On November 1, I will release a new single titled ‘Wairevesa Here’, which I hope will stand out.”
Like most of his peers, he acknowledges the impact the late Paul Matavire had on his career.
“He was a great man. I have learnt a lot from him. If he were alive, I am sure I could have recorded one or two songs with him. It is unfortunate I did not have the opportunity.”
He cites “Handirambi”, “Basa Rinopera” and “MaU” among his favourite songs by Matavire.
“His imagination was extraordinary. I wish I had lived in his era. He wrote from the heart, and his work had depth. I will forever cherish his legacy.”
With the festive season approaching, Munoz’s booking agent is reportedly busy.
“I have held several shows in August but postponed some to focus on schoolwork. I am humbled that God’s grace found me at the right time after all the resilience I have shown,” he said.
Having fully embraced his condition and overcome stigma, Munoz remains unstoppable.
“I have accepted that fairness is not guaranteed, but we keep pushing to be heard. My plea to event organisers is not to limit their choices — some of us can play anything and are ready to deliver. I do not claim a specific genre, but if you hire me for a show, expect nothing but the best.”
Buoyed by his powerful songwriting and dedication to music literacy, Munoz is undoubtedly a rising star.
He reckons he is not a crybaby, but a spirited soul determined to defy disability and conquer.
