Andrew
Dennis Chimanzi
COULD the year 2022 be the rebirth of sungura?
Well, indications are that this is a great year for artistes and fans of the genre.
It has been long since sungura dominated, cutting across generational divide and geographical space.
Sungura musicians are dropping fresh albums at lightning speed.
Naturally, this has aroused music followers interest as they are keenly following developments.
Both established and budding singers have so far taken turns to unleash their work.
Albums have come for the sungura maestro Alick Macheso, veteran Nicholas Zacharia, upstarts Mark Ngwazi and his brother Tindo Ngwazi, among others.
Romeo Gasa is also ready to join the party with a new album that is due for release next month. But it is Simon Mutambi’s new project that has set tongues wagging.
The six-track album titled “Muchataura Zvese” is set to be launched on July 21 at Eastpoint in Harare.
The project comes barely a year after he dropped his last offering “Saka Uchaitasei”, which carried the hit song “Mr Ibu”.
The track won the third place on Radio Zimbabwe’s 2021 end of year Top 50 competition, following behind Ray Bopoto’s “Tsotso” and “Kujata Jata” done by DT Bio Mudimba.
Music fans believe Mutambi’s album will give a new dimension to the sungura matrix.
Macheso or simply Baba Sharo and Nicholas Zacharia are expected to grace the album launch.
“I want my brother and mentor Alick Macheso to be the guest of honour at the launch. I have also invited several other musicians to the event,” said Mutambi who fronts the group Cobra Kings.
Tracks on the album include “Zvinamatire”, “Dananayi Kwenyu”, “Tariro”, “Murombo”, “Danwa Nemutupo” and “Zvinoita Rudo”.
“I learnt a lot from what Alick Macheso did during his album launch last month. I am also going to run an executive launch in the CBD then have another event at Zebra Village in Mbare on July 23,” revealed Mutambi.
The musician said songs on the album are directed to his critics.
“I decided to call the album ‘Muchataura Zvese’ as a direct answer to the people who always find pleasure in speaking ill about me. This is a statement, a bold one for that matter. I want to show them that I only speak through my brilliant work,” he said.
Mutambi is optimistic the album will do well on the market despite fierce competition.
He singled out “Zvinamatire” as a potential hit song.
“My opening track ‘Zvinamatire’ has the potential to go places on the market. However, fans always have a unique and hard to understand way of choosing their favourite song(s). So I guess time will tell which one will be best.”
“I’m not afraid about this year’s competition. When I started there were stars like Taruvinga “Sugar Sugar” Manjokota, Paradzai Mesi, Romeo Gasa, Alick Macheso, Gift Amuli and the late Tongai “Dhewa” Moyo.
“Competition was stiffer than what it is now but I had managed to manoeuvre and still find myself standing strong. In fact, I have further developed my brand over the years,” added Mutambi.
The sungura singer’s journey began in 2009 during the height of Macheso and Dhewa’s feud.
His debut album was titled “Ko Zvinotyisei”.
“Everyone can testify that this was a tricky period to venture into local music, particularly sungura. Macheso and Dhewa had the huge chunk, if not all, the attention. However, I still managed to make myself visible thus I am not moved by whatever is happening at the moment,” said Mutambi.
Online Reporter