The rise of music granny

Entertainment Reporter
AGE is nothing but a number. This old adage seems to be holding true for Patricia Makusha (51), a female traditional musician who has just entered the mainstream music fray in fashion to the way that the late singer and mbira player, Sekuru Gora did, after gaining fame in his later stages of life.

Sekuru Gora became famous with his album “Zvarova” that became a hit on the airwaves sometime in the 1990s before he finally succumbed to death.

In similar vein, it seems Tete Pipilo, as the affable 51-year-old granny is called in music circles, is determined to rewrite, or even surpass, the standard that Sekuru Gora set, that is if her latest offering titled “Hodzeko” is naything to go by.

And she is not just going the Sekuru Gora route.

Those who have been following the music trends in Zimbabwe over the past years can easily tell that Tete Pipilo is determined to fill the that was created by the departure of renowned female tradional musicians like Ambuya Stella Chiweshe who has set base in Germany as well as the death of Ambuya Madhuve.

“Age is just but a number and this is the reson why I recorded my first album, ‘Zvirisei?’ in 2009 when I was 46 years old.

“Although I always tried to conceal this from my husband, Sylvester Marimo, he eventually discovered it and I was shocked when he actually encouraged me to pursue my music career further,” she said.

Tete Pipilo says she grew up listening to the music of the likes of Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Tina Turner and Dorothy Masuka whom she said were female musicians of integrity who represented women in all spheres of life through their art.

“These were bold women who made a bold statement through their music and this is the same route that I am taking as an artiste today,” she said.

This is evident from the titles of the songs featured on her seven-track album which was recorded at Mosi Oa Tunya Studios and produced by veteran Dumisani Sibanda.

“Handidi Kuaprikwa” denounces polygamy, while “Kundirova” chides domestic violence.

“Paruware”, “Munhu Ngaafare”, “Nyemwerera” and “Chidhanana” are love tracks about the value of cherishing one’s partners.

Backed by the Manjenjenje Express outfit which she formed in 2011 and so named because it is predominantly comprised of members of the Zebra totem, Tete Pipilo said she would be starting holding shows on a full time basis.

This is following the coming on board of her new manager, Geofrey Chaparadza, who has worked with the likes of Willom Tight, among other artistes, in the past.

She was born on June 5, 1963 in Chivero, Mhondoro where her passion for music first took root after listening to mbira music by the likes of Master Chivero among others.