Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
CONSISTENT Sungura musician Simon Mutambi believes that his dedication has made him the star he is today.
Hailing from the farming community of Beatrice, Mutambi, who began his career as a barber, is enjoying rave reviews for his 13th album, “Yadeuka Yadeuka,” which has been gaining traction online.
This well-knit album, featuring the hit song “Chimbomira,” has catapulted him to new heights.
It has also gained traction online while local radio stations have endorsed it as a triumph.
“I can’t thank my loyal fans and God enough for the support they have shown me over the years,” Mutambi emphasised.
“I can’t believe I now have a 13th album to my credit, coming from my days as a beginner in Beatrice, which I have always called home.”
“This album was recorded at Trutone Studios and mastered by Gibson Makumbe, and you can feel that there is a distinct sound.
“My fans have been calling me, giving us positive feedback.”
Now in his late 30s, Mutambi represents a new breed of sungura musicians alongside Mark Ngwazi, Romeo Gasa and Peter Moyo.
He firmly believes in the power of hard work.
“When we started, we were not taken seriously by some people, but I am happy because I am now seeing the rewards of consistency. With the sales from this new album, I have managed to buy a tractor worth US$12 500 ahead of the farming season.
“I am also a successful farmer in Beatrice, and I am glad because I am fully utilising natural resources,” he stated.
The Cobra Kings frontman has urged fellow creatives to diversify and utilise their land.
“It’s high time we avoid putting all our eggs in one basket and instead diversify. The Covid-19 lockdown taught us a hard lesson about the importance of having multiple streams of income.”
“At Cobra Kings, I always challenge my peers to invest in other areas because we don’t want to raise a generation of lazy people. As a multi-tasking individual, I believe we can supplement our earnings by investing in various fields.”
Growing up, Mutambi learnt the value of hard work, and he is passing that knowledge on to his co-workers.
“Music alone will never be enough so there is a need for us to work hard and try other avenues to generate money.”
Mutambi, who made history as the first sungura artist to perform at the Harare International Festival of Arts in 2007, has remained humble.
He still cherishes the outreach programmes that shaped his career, stating, “Life offers lessons that can influence one’s path, and it’s never too late to learn from the experts.”
Mutambi, who has performed extensively in rural areas and small towns, believes his approach is bearing fruit.
“As artistes, we are like hunters; we must know where our audience is. While I also perform well in urban areas, we need to go where the demand is highest because, at the end of the day, we must put food on the table.”
He emphasised the enduring popularity of sungura despite the emergence of other genres:
“Over the years, we have seen many genres, such as Urban Grooves, Zimdancehall, and Zim Hip Hop, but sungura is here to stay. We need to adopt a business-minded approach and embrace technology to respect our craft.”
Mutambi, currently riding a wave of success, has planned to invest more in visual.
“I have shifted my focus to music videos because they can sell faster and enhance our profiles. If done professionally, we can also monetise them.”
Despite enjoying phenomenal success with his 13th album, he boasts a rich catalog of music. His previous albums include “Zvinotyisei” (2009), “Zvinesimba” (2010), “Ane Nyaya Yake” (2011), “Zvese Ndezvako” (2012), “Pasi Pedenga” (2014), “Makakosha Wani” (2016), and “Hazviperi Mushe” (2017), among others.
He has also released a series of captivating videos that have gained significant traction on YouTube.
A regular chart-topper on several radio stations, Mutambi is truly in a league of his own. Despite all his triumphs, he remains grounded and humble.
A hard worker in his own right, Mutambi is undoubtedly one of the future sungura musicians to watch.
