Online Reporter
H-Metro Reporters
THE riveting debate surrounding Leonard Zhakata’s all-time classic ‘Mugove’ continued to rage for a third straight day yesterday.
H-Metro readers continued to have a refreshingly engaging debate on whether Zhakata’s ‘Mugove’ is the best song ever produced in this country.
The discussion was sparked after H-Metro asked if Leonard Dembo’s ‘Chitekete’ was the finest song ever produced in this country.
However, some music fans feel ‘Mugove’ made a significant impact and that it would be unfair to overlook it.
Blogger Makomborero Mutimukulu said Mugove as pregnant with meaning.
“Mugove captures what we all crave for – better pay, better life, money and blessings from God. So, when your listen to it, you identify with the message.
“Chitekete gets into your blood stream, just like caffeine, and is addictive. Every time you listen to it unonzwa kamwe ka instrument you never knew existed.
“It’s a timeless classic, curated for a lifetime. Muchishona: Musatifendere − 1) Chitekete; 2) Umoya Wami by Majaivana; 3) Samatenga; 4) Mugove.
“Endai henyu naizvozvo vadikani.”
Here are the other views:
Makomborero Mutimukulu, in general terms, there is nothing like the best song ever. A best song ever is one that satisfies predefined indicators for “assessing best” and following this criteria leaves us with some many best songs ever. − Gora Zowa.
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H-Metro, Mugove beat Chitekete from the onset by selling more than 120,000 copies. That alone shows Mugove is a force to reckon with. − Wisdom Chitty.
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In the year it was released, yes, it was big. Unfortunately, at the time sales were recorded and there is no record Mugove or Chitekete outpaced Macheso in terms of record sales.
Munogona kumuvenga kana kumudzikisira but in that era of records and cassettes, Macheso is the king just like in this era of audiomac Jah Prayzah is the king. − Regis Gumunyu Matambanadzo.
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Regis Gumunyu Matambanadzo, kupenga ndokwaunoita ndosaka uchitaura off topic. − Lincoln Dube.
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Regis Gumunyu Matambanadzo, we don’t hear Macheso being played in Matabeleland like the other two and in that era there were so many big names that made competition stiffer. In terms of life Mugove, Chitekete are all-time classics. − Sethulo Mlalazi.
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It has a claim, yes, definitely top 3 amongst Chitekete and Samatenga. − Brian Muyengwa.
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Now we are seeing the light. Mugove ine nharo! − Clayton Masekesa.
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Chitekete, Dzandipedza Mafuta, Mugove, in that order. Handidi kupikiswa! − Brian Nkiwane.
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That Mugove is considered to be the best is because it is more relevant today as it was 30 yrs. To me, Chitekete takes the gong. − Trent Makoni.
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A Love Song vs a social and economic commentary song, the two cannot be compared. − Shingirai Chimwere.
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I doubt many of them have truly listened to Paivepo by Dr Oliver Mtukudzi. That album is a masterclass in arrangement − every acoustic element carefully placed to create harmony. − Mahluli Jamela.
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Mahluli Jamela, no, no, Mtukudzi his music yainyanyo farirwa mumadhorobha kazhinji come to Zhakata Mugove was all over towns and rural areas no song can beat Mugove besides Chitekete from Dembo. − Fisher Tsumele Peter Tsumele.
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Mugove was never compared to Chitekete. It’s a mockery to Dembo unless you have other motives. − Gwinyayi Kufandada.
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Let each song have its space… comparison is not necessary. − Nqobile J D Majawa·
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It’s high time you do justice to Zhakata’s music by giving a proper analysis. − 1994 Mugove Song of the Yr Radio & Tv, 1995 Nhamodzenyika ku Radio Unochemei ku TV, 1996 Upenyu Mutoro Ku TV, 2014 Dhonza Makomborero, 2016 Madam Boss. This guy is a lyrical n instrumental genius.
I think his best song ever is ‘Hupenyu Mutoro’, rich in lyrics, melodious rhythms, play it today uzvihwire. But the best song of our times is CHITEKETE. − Oscar Chiwome.
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Mugove leads others follow, what a song from the prolific song writer baChamu Lkzee. − Nhewa Simboti.
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Mugove, yes, a combination of well-polished instruments mixed with well-thought lyrics. No comparison. − Dickson Chingoma
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That was the era of music full of a lot of great musicians who played songs full of life, not these days, music that sounds different just a year later. − Sethulo Mlalazi.
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Zhakata akaimba so 1 iyoyo ndo best, only 1, it’s unlike Dembo, songs are best all of them. − Spencer Mudenda.
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Zvichatora makore kuti tizowana song ichadarika Mugove kana kutozoshaya. Kwandiri Mugove is the best ever. − Jonathan Pondamare.
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Kana musina kutaura nezva Chopper’s Samatenga song miswai zvenyu. − Tanya Cain Chifamba
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There’s a difference between popular and best. − Owen Manjengwa.
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It depends on what you call best. Music is about how you listen to it and enjoy, possibly more than what others call worst. − Dion Chuma.
