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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Chimurenga music icon Dr Thomas Tafirenyika Mapfumo is poised to make a huge splash on the mainstream music scene with the release of two singles — “Music” and a remake of his yesteryear chart topper “Shabeen” ahead of his much-hyped South African concerts scheduled for April 25 in Cape Town, Johannesburg on April 26 and another closer to home on April 27 in Messina.
The release of the two singles is a foretaste of what to expect on his upcoming album titled “Danger Zone” due for release in April and that should be good news to his ardent followers worldwide.
Featured on the remix of “Shabeen” is Dr Mapfumo’s daughter Chiedza on backing vocals. The track “Music” talks about different genres of music and the chorus goes like: “I need music, reggae music, African music, Chimurenga music, rock ‘n’ roll music, calypso music, I want some music, any kind of music. . . “ The sweet backing vocals by his daughter Chiedza, niece Cleopatra and Stormy, an Afro-American female singer, blends well with Mukanya’s deep husky voice.
On the remix of “Shabeen” he features Natalia Rollins aka “Moxie” a white American young female singer who translates the original lyrics to English, with Mukanya spicing it up in Shona.
Moxie is expected to be part of the Blacks Unlimited when they tour South Africa in April. Chimurenga Music Company Manager Austin Sibanda said Mukanya has shown his fans — both young and old, that they can get up and dance to this remix.
“Both songs have amplified club mix beats and will definitely be hit club bangers both locally and internationally,” Sibanda said.
He said the singles were recorded at CD studios in Eugene Oregen, United States of America from where the legendary singer is now based.
Blessing Vava, a music critic said the long awaited album “Danger Zone” was Mukanya’s new recording since 2010 when he released the album “Exile”.
“The Chimurenga music icon last year released a collection of his ‘Golden Classics’ hits that dominated Mukanya’s early years in music. ‘Danger Zone’ will be on sale at all venues in South Africa,” Vava said.
Of the three concerts scheduled for April it is the Messina gig which is likely to draw hundreds of Zimbabwean fans because of its proximity to home. And the “Corruption” hit-maker will feel a lot like he is performing before a home crowd. Mukanya went into self-imposed exile following legal issues involving alleged insurance fraud. Word doing the rounds is that Zimbabwean fans from as far as Bulawayo and Harare are planning on attending the concert in their numbers.
Dr Mapfumo is scheduled to perform in Messina alongside Nama award winner Jah Prayzah and his 3rd Generation band. An attempt to bring Mukanya back to perform with fellow superstar Oliver Mtukudzi a few years back failed to materialise.
Online Reporter