POPULAR Mutare-based musician Blessing Shumba says he is not angry over gospel musician Mathias Mhere who released an album with striking resemblance to his beat.
Report by Own Correspondent
Mhere’s album titled Anoita Minana has become popular since its release in November and it was initially mistaken for Shumba’s project.
Some pirates sold the album under Shumba’s name in the initial days of its release. Shumba has released a new album titled Shongwe, but it has been overshadowed by Anoita Minana.
There is a striking vocal and sound arrangement similarity between Mhere and Shumba.
Speculation was rife in the music industry that the two rising musicians were at loggerheads over the issue, but Shumba dispelled the rumour in an interview with NewsDay recently.
The Timene-hitmaker said he was happy with Mhere’s musical prowess.
“There is nothing bad and I have no beef with the musician. This is what we want in the music industry,” said Shumba.
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“I am not angry at all. The ministry needs to grow and we need more gospel musicians to preach the gospel to all corners of the earth.”
However, Mhere, who was nurtured by Mechanic Manyeruke, said the similarity in their music does not mean he copied Shumba. “I am not imitating Shumba, but what I can say is that we share the same producer,” he said.
Their music is produced by Lyton Ngolombi, who is also a member of Shumba’s backing group Holy Psalms.
“I am aware that Lyton works with Mhere. He is a producer and he worked with various artistes even before me. That’s his source of livelihood and we cannot stop him from doing his work,” said Shumba.
Asked about how his latest album was performing on the market, Shumba said he was pleased with the sales.
“It is still early to judge my latest album’s performance, but as for now, I am happy with the sales,” he said.
Shumba broke into the music industry in 2010 with the album Ishe Wazvose before releasing NdiMwari, which saw him becoming the most sought-after musician.
He recently did a duet with Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave.
The song features on Zvakavapano-Mashavave’s latest album Wenyasha Ndewenyasha, released a few weeks back.
They will perform the duet live for the first time at Harare International Conference Centre on Saturday when they share the stage with Shingisai Suluma.
The show is expected to be an exciting year-end gospel concert. Suluma has promised to sample new songs at the show.
