Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
VETERAN football commentator, Charles “CNN” Mabika, has brought together about 30 local musicians to record a special wedding song for superstar Jah Prayzah and his wife Rufaro.
The song, “Makorokoto,” brings together musicians from different generations, with Mabika hoping the project will go beyond celebrating the wedding and encourage more collaborations within the local music industry.
Mabika said the idea came naturally after he learnt about Jah Prayzah’s upcoming wedding, given their long standing relationship and previous collaboration.
“I have always had a passion. I have two passions – sports, particularly football, and Zimbabwean music, strictly Zimbabwean music.
“I have a long relationship with Jah Prayzah. We get on quite well. He is a close colleague.
“A couple of months back, when I heard about the wedding, it just came to me.
“I have always been discussing with Chandafira Nyeredzani about how Zimbabwean musicians seem to be polarised and do not always come together to do things for a common cause,” he said.
Mabika said with the help of Nyeredzani, a Zimbabwean based in the United Kingdom, they decided to use the wedding as an opportunity to bring musicians together.
CNN had previously worked with Jah Prayzah on “Handei Ma Warriors” after the Warriors qualified for the 2017 AFCON finals in Gabon.
“I approached him and said, ‘Can we do a congratulatory song for the Warriors?’
“He did not hesitate. He came up with the lyrics and I helped a bit, came up with the commentary, the soundtrack and everything, and we did ‘Handei Ma Warriors’,” said Mabika.
He said with that relationship still intact, he felt Jah Prayzah’s wedding presented another opportunity to unite musicians.
“This is a very special occasion, a wedding for one of our own superstars. Why can’t we get together and do this?” he said.
The project was done voluntarily with musicians contributing their time and in some cases using their own money to attend rehearsals.
Mabika said some musicians initially declined after asking about financial benefits, but the team continued approaching artists who were willing to participate.
“We approached various musicians, old and young, those who are established and those who are just upcoming.
“The interest and excitement was just unbelievable.
“Among those who contributed vocals are Baba and Mai Charamba, Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Jonah Moyo, Piki Kasamba, Mitchell Jambo, Prudence Mabhena, Kireni Zulu, First Farai, Potato, Swere Ngoma, Somandla Ndebele, Knowledge Kunenyathi, Gulf Makina, Foster ‘The Force’ Mkweu, DanMag Magara, Chase Skuza, Fungayi Mukeyi, Esin Zulu and Paddy Madakara, among others.
“The project also features backing vocalists Rutendo Mazvimba and Sithiyekile Hove, while the band includes Munyaradzi Munodawafa on keyboards, Philip Svosve on saxophone, Nyeredzani on drums, Harold Mageni on bass guitar, Brian Tagarira and Tichaona Chacha on guitar, and Alois Bunjira on marimba.
“The song was recorded at DanMag Studios”.
Mabika also added his trademark football commentary to the song, bringing his two passions together.
He said the formation of Zimbabwe United Music Artists (ZIUMA) should not end with the wedding project.
“As we go forward, we would like to get together to support each other as musicians – birthday parties, even in times of mourning, people can come together and do a collaboration.
“Maybe, we can look at commercial ventures after this one.
“Collaborations are not just about coming together and doing a song.
“You would be surprised at the skills and contributions that come from getting people from all ages and backgrounds together to share ideas.”
A video for “Makorokoto Jah Prayzah na Rufaro” is also being worked on.
Mabika said he hoped the project would grow into a platform that could bring Zimbabwean musicians together more regularly.
“I enjoyed working with them and I am looking forward to working with them because we can see the horizons opening here,” he said.
“I hope that the Zimbabwean community in and outside Zimbabwe will appreciate this project put together by Zimbabwe United Music Artists.
”I hope that we will grow from strength to strength.”
