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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Tendai Mupfurutsa Junior has made a huge splash on the mainstream music scene with a new single aptly called “Angel” which he says acknowledges the beauty of Zimbabwean women.
The youngster, who is simply known as Judd, is the latest find so far this year with his afro-soul track that has captured the imagination of not only barbed wire fans but also music lovers at large.
“The song is inspired by Zimbabwean women. It’s a classic love ballad with a dance vibe and, most importantly, proudly Zimbabwean. So far the response has been overwhelming,” the 27-year-old crooner said.
The son to the late Prince Tendai Mupfurutsa, an icon who fathered a genre popularly known as “barbed wire”, Judd admits that it was a tall order to fit in his late father’s shoes.
“Those are big shoes to fit in but I am ready to chart my own course through giving my best in music. I have been doing music since way back but now I felt it was the right time to get my name out,” he said. Asked whether he was into music seriously or just following the bandwagon of youngsters who are following in their father’s footsteps when they lacked in talent, Judd said he had a rich music background and that it was an obligation to continue with his father’s legacy.
“It wasn’t an overnight thing because I was exposed to music at the tender age of five when my father would take me to the studio for his recordings. I also didn’t choose to do music but music chose me because it’s the best way to reach out to as many people as possible.
“In other words, music becomes an obligation because there is a legacy already which should continue. However, I admit, it is not going to be that easy for me but with the support of everyone I believe I will get there,” he explained.
He said he was aiming at consolidating the fan base which his father built over these years through producing good music.
True to his words, nowadays music has to be felt or inspire people in whatever they do.
His father, Prince Tendai, stood the test of time as he constantly changed the flair of his music through collaborations or fusions of different influences.
Prince Tendai, who was famous for his swag and style of music, went a notch up by making sure that whatever he produced was of international standards.
Going back in time, backed by Midnight Magic, Prince Tendai churned out several hit albums, with the most notable being “Serious” with such songs as “From Zambezi to Limpopo”. This was followed by the albums “Midnight Magic 2 and 3” with his singles “Sweet Temptation”, “Amai Tendi”, “Problem” and “African Cowboy”.
As Midnight Magic grew in strength, the album which took the nation by storm, “Uprising” was created. It’s hit “Character” became a household sing-along song even to this day. It is this brilliant tune that saw Prince Tendai rise to dizzy heights when he was nominated for the Kora All Africa Music Awards ceremony at Sun City in South Africa in September 1996. There Prince Tendai rubbed shoulders with Africa’s musical giants such as Salif Keita, Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Koffi Olomide and Youssou N’dour.
According to Judd, an accompanying video is due for release before year end.
“It’s going to be a full package. At the moment we are casting for the models. We want someone who will play the lead role, then the video vixens and some dudes who will be rolling the boat. I want to take it to the level where even the satellite music channels will find it hard to ignore.
“At the moment there is not enough Zimbabwean music that’s being played on these stations and we want to change that so that Zimbabwean music goes international,” he said.
Online Reporter