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Monica Cheru-Mpambawashe Lifestyle Editor
With every second person fancying themselves a singer, urban-based upcoming musicians have their work cut out to break into the mainstream music scene. The challenge becomes even more difficult for rural-based hopefuls whose chances of being noticed by journalists and promoters are much lower. They also do not have the same opportunities to shop around for studios and producers as their urban counterparts.
It is therefore an amazing feat when rural musicians make a breakthrough that they can sustain without relocating to urban centres once they are established.
Trinity Singers Chikwakwa who rose to fame with song “Job” in 2008 say that the journey has not been easy but persistence has paid off.
During a visit to Harare to perform at a funeral organising secretary of the Anglican Church group Richmore Mavaza told The Herald Entertainment that the all-male group is set to release their fourth album.
“The album is called ‘Zvese Zvichapera’ and we are promising our fans more of the powerful messages that they have come to expect from us.”
He said the group expects their good run to continue and with the yields they are looking at consolidating their base in Chikwaka in Goromonzi district of Mashonaland East.
“The sales of our current album have been very encouraging. As you can see, people seem to appreciate our music, even those who would have only been exposed to us on that day,” Mavaza.
The group which performs at parties, funerals, weddings, corporate functions and any other events sell their own music at these platforms.
Mavaza said because they appreciate that financial success is not an automatic bounty of fame, the group has always been interested in investing in other entrepreneurial avenues. They do not feel obliged to join the moanfest about how music does not pay as practiced by many other artistes.
“In 2009 we opened retail shops in Domboshawa and Murehwa. Unfortunately, we were victims of theft and that really set us back. But we regrouped in 2010 and we have been soldering on.
“Now we have stabilised somewhat and we are looking at setting up some small enterprise like a running a grinding mill or egg production. With God’s grace and the continued support of our fans we hope to grow that into bigger ventures.”
Online Reporter