Andrew
Prince Mushawevato
Features and Arts Editor
“UNCOMPARABLE!”
Yes, that is simply what sungura supreme Alick Macheso is.
While some music fans believe a competitive rival would help to unlock the sungura creative genius’ full repertoire of skills that have shaped his colourful career over the years, that cannot possibly be done by comparing the doyen with greenhorns.
Doing so is simply misleading or leading upcoming sungura stars astray.
And we will not be doing any good to their fledgling careers.
Baba Sharo, as Macheso is fondly called by his adoring legion of fans, is in a league of his own.
His 12 productions from the days of “Magariro” to the latest offering “Tinosvitswa Nashe” speak for themselves.
“It is important to understand the reason why you go into the studio. We do it for our fans, not to compete,” said Baba Sharo in an interview with The Sunday Mail Society.
Whether there are perceived or assumed shortcomings on Macheso’s latest offering “Tinosvitswa Nashe”, that does not warrant a comparison with an upstart(s).
“I am not the creator of sungura. Ndakasvika musambo uripo, zvakare ndichasiya uripo (I found the genre there and will also leave it behind). It makes me happy to see youngsters like Mutambi (Simon) and Ngwazi (Mark), among others doing wonders. This gives me peace of mind, as I know sungura will be safe after our (Nicholas Zacharia included) time,” added Macheso.
Mark Ngwazi is doing exceptionally well.
His seven-track album “Nharo Nezvinenharo” is a well-crafted effort.
It is not harsh to the ear.
In fact, the singer has breathed fresh air to sungura through his unique lines, some of which are delivered in the Queen’s language.
He also has satirical compositions, which, I, however, feel he sometimes over-does.
Those who have listened to Ngwazi’s latest and previous offerings probably understand what I mean.
But that is not the issue at hand.
While Ngwazi has ostensibly hit a purple patch, it is imperative that we help him keep his eyes on the ball.
Let us not spoil the moment for the singer by creating or pushing for some unnecessary rivalry for him.
Likewise, he should not be tricked or be tempted to try and use the media to cut corners on his way to the top.
Only consistency and quality work will take him to the Promised Land, a fact the “Nyaradzo Yababa” singer is alive to.
“Alick Macheso and Nicholas Zakaria are godfathers and veterans we have in our industry. It is madness for our fans, or anyone, to compare me to those guys.
“I am still a student and learning from them. Macheso cannot be compared to anyone in Zimbabwe, not only in sungura, he is the overall best. I respect him a lot. He (Macheso) is not selfish and wishes others good,” reckons Ngwazi.
The youthful sungura singer has done good and should be applauded for that.
It is not often that one gets to consecutively release good albums.
His previous offering “Chamugwegwedu Chamatindike” with the runaway hit “Taurai Madzoka” did exceedingly well.
But instead of making this a basis of equating him with the incomparable Macheso, let us start to appreciate that he is creating a mark within the music industry and probably gradually distinguishing himself from the rest of the pack in his generation.
One or two good albums, or songs, do not automatically qualify one to stand or be compared to veterans like Baba Sharo.
It simply does not make sense.
It is travesty at its best.
Macheso has stood the test of time and usually comes out strong in battles of this nature. For those not in the know, at some point, Paradzai Mesi unleashed not one or two but three consecutive hot albums.
Who has forgotten hot-selling “Kambairai” (2007) and “Goneso” (2008) and “Harisi Dambe” (2014)?
Mesi dropped the two projects when Macheso was highflying with “Vapupuri Pupurai”, “Ndezvashe-eh” and “Zvinoda Kutendwa”.
His two of the albums (Kambairai and Goneso) took the market by storm, briefly stealing the spotlight from the then ongoing fierce rivalry between Macheso and Tongai ‘Dhewa’ Moyo, as many assumed a new sungura king had been born.
This is not the only test that the legend has endured.
One-hit wonders have come, caused ‘havoc’ and vanished.
Talk of Joseph Garakara and Gift Amuli’s monster hits “Idya Banana” and “Wamatuka”, respectively.
In recent years we have had Tatenda Pinjisi’s “Saina”, “Mebo” by Obert Chari and DT Bio Mudimba’s “Kujata Jata”.
“Nharo Nezvinenharo” is Ngwazi’s seventh studio album.
At the same number of releases, Macheso had “Ndezvashe-eh” and the “Gungwa” singer was then already ‘tired’ of filling huge auditoriums and stadia in and outside the country.
FC Platinum has won three league titles ever since joining the top league in the country.
But that does not merit a comparison to Dynamos, Highlanders or CAPS United as yet. In fact, there are teams like Motor Action, Monomotapa, Zimbabwe Saints and Gunners that have put up sterling displays, winning leagues in the process.
However, some of the clubs are now defunct or plying trade in lower leagues.
In a few days’ time, July 21 to be precise, another revered sungura singer Simon Mutambi is dropping a new album.
Mutambi is no pushover and any serious sungura follower will confirm that the album will be a game-changer.
The bottom line is, Ngwazi is showing great potential and is on to something, but still has a long way to go.
The music industry is about longevity.
Let us support the young man but at the same time not put him under undue pressure.
Online Reporter