adminBlackmore Mavura Arts Correspondent
THE family patriarch Safirio “Mukadota” Madzika- tire conquered and set very high standards in music and drama, while the son Elijah “Bhero” tried to scale the dizzy heights set by his father but failed, and now the grandson Solomon has thrown his hat into the ring.
Solomon, who is son to Elijah, has just released an eight-track album “Huyai Tifare” which was partly produced by the late Andy Brown at his Shakazz Studios in Cranborne, where the aspiring musician also hails from. The album features five original songs from Solomon as well as two tracks from Mukadota and one from Elijah.
Monster hits from the 80s “Ndichaitenga Mota” and “KwaHunyani” by Mukadota were redone by Solomon, as well as “Sisi Rachel” by Elijah and it has to be seen if they will be received by the public just like the originals which are still getting favourable airplay on radio, television as well as public places.
“Mukadota Family”
Where Mukadota had the public eating from his palms, releasing hit album after hit album and also producing the wildly popular
“Mukadota Family” on television, Elijah also tried to follow in his father’s footsteps releasing several albums and also having his own television programme “Bhero”, the efforts were met with a somehow muted response from the public.
Now it’s Solomon’s turn and he says he has done his homework and is taking the bull by its horns.
Solomon says music runs in his blood as his mother, the late Doreen Ncube, who passed away last year and was sister to another music great Busi, formerly of Ilanga, was a musician of note.
“I took long to release this album as I didn’t want to give the public a half-baked effort. Fortunately, I worked with some of the big names in music, who guided me accordingly and gave me good advice like my mentor, the late Brown, who also produced some of the tracks and I dedicate this album to him for he was just a genius and I owe a lot to him.
“My father also played a very big role in the production of the album and I think having worked with such luminaries, the album will make it big,” said the affable Solomon.
Although Mukadota died while Solo was still young he recalls with nostalgia the special bond he had with Mukadota, who he says was a very humble and honest man, who believed in hard work, a total contrast to the Mukadota character who was manipulative, very dishonest and lazy.
“When my grandfather wasn’t holding shows he made it a point to have quality time with his family especially his grandchildren and we used to play with him and he used to spoil us very much.
Break dancing
“My first encounters with showbiz were at his family shows where I used to compete in break dancing and singing competitions. I think that laid the foundation in me to start music. He never discouraged anyone from pursuing their dreams and I remember he groomed a lot of musicians among them John “Chi- bhodhoro” Muyambo.
Solomon says although he had been holding live shows in the capital, he was forced to abandon that, after his manager went to Sudan on business, where he is also acquiring a state of the art sound system for the band and other accessories to improve their sound.
“My manager went to Sudan and he will be returning home next month. That is when we will resume live shows with a new kit, although we will still be concentrating more on the capital where we have a sizeable following before we venture into other towns.”
Solomon says as a way of combating piracy, which he described as a deadly cancer, he has resorted to selling the album on his own and can usually be seen hawking it at the Queensdale Shopping Centre car park.
“At first I had this distributor to market my music, but he ripped me off so I just decided that I would sell the album on my own.
“At first some people were just buying the album out of sympathy as I am Mukadota’s grandson but they have been coming back congratulating me for a good effort.”
Online Reporter