AS we reach the end of yet another interesting year in the music industry, NewsDay reviews the ups and downs of the players, the deaths and the newcomers. Report by Jairos Saunyama
This year, the sons and daughters of various late music legends played a major role in the industry.
Some of the legends whose offspring followed in their footsteps include John “Mr Chitungwiza” Chibadura, James Chimombe, Leornard Dembo, Simon Chimbetu and Naison Chimbetu.
Some have done well while others have failed to live up to expectations. Below is a summary of what has transpired.
Sulumani “Mwana Wedangwe” Chimbetu — He is undoubtedly one of the most successful offsprings of a legend who has ensured the survival of dendera music. Sulu, as his legion of fans calls him, is the man of the moment as his latest project Syllabus defies all odds.
He is one such musician who had an album launch that was well attended by people from all walks of life, including Cabinet ministers.
The 29-year-old prodigy is indeed a role model as he has kept the dendera flair alive, which is a feature of guitar solos sandwiched between prominent vocal lines and repetitive guitar riffs. Sulu has performed at every special event in the country and because of his prowess, he struck a deal with Green Card Medical Aid Society where he is the brand ambassador.
Tryson Chimbetu — Various debates have risen on who is the better between Tryson and his cousin Sulumani, and this is because the former is indeed a star in his own way. Tryson did well this year to lead the Marxist Brothers to glory with a scintillating album titled Nguva YaChimbetu.
- Building narratives: Wilbur Smith: The Man who wrote his own epitaph
- An unfair advantage
- Building narratives: Wilbur Smith: The Man who wrote his own epitaph
- An unfair advantage
Keep Reading
To prove his mettle, the young “Doctor Nero” collaborated with the undisputed sungura king Alick Macheso, whose contribution on the album was of great importance. Tryson has performed in every corner in the country and he commands a huge following in and out of the capital.
With three albums to his name, the former Glen View High 1 student is also good at playing renditions of his late father’s songs.
Amara Brown — After the death of Andy Brown, nobody dreamt that his daughter Ammara would do much in the industry.
Despite the squabbles with her step mother Nadine, the young diva has stood the test of time and her participation at the Lion Lager Summer Festival show alongside P Square show gave her the platform to announce her arrival on the music scene.
She is currently holding frequent shows in the capital and her amazing voice has lured a number of fans.
Morgan and Tendai Dembo — The two brothers didn’t do quite well this year. Their latest album Kutsika Matsimba is not popular and most Dembo music lovers don’t know about its existence.
In fact, the brothers have been involved in too many scandals, which include alcohol abuse and love affairs. Early this year, Tendai was in the news following a love scandal. Recently, Morgan had to declare publicly that he had quit beer to save his music career. The brothers are also holding shows in and out of the capital, but they are characterised by low turnouts.
Alick Macheso also assisted the boys, but after weaning them, they failed to take it further like Tryson did. Last year, Barura Express became prominent supporting acts for the Mberikwazvo frontman in his national tours, which saw the group gain momentum, which they have since lost. Jean Masters — She is a very confident musician who has used everything in her capacity for the better of her music career. Taking over from where J Masters left, Jean has bravely guarded her father’s legacy.
Simba and Knowledge Chibadura — It never rains but pours for the Chibadura brothers who are struggling to make ends meet.
Despite being talented music instrumentalists, the brothers have failed to put their father’s music back on the map.
Since the death of their father John Nyamukoko (Chibadura) in 1999, the brothers have released three albums so far, the last one came in 2005.
However, they are blaming the Zimbabwe Music Corporation for not marketing their last two albums Shungu Dzinobatsira (2004) and Vision 2020 (2005), which automatically led to their downfall. Moreover, they are blaming the same stable for the disappearance of their album Inguva, which they say was meant to be released early this year. The Chibadura Brothers are facing the tough challenge of having no instruments and lack of promoters.
Their father’s instruments disappeared while they were still kids and currently they are hiring instruments for their live shows.
Chimombe Brothers — James Chimombe could be turning in his grave as his offsprings have failed dismally to revive The Huchi Band Legacy. The death of Fred, James Chimombe’s eldest son, could put an end to everything as he had tried by all means before succumbing to illness.
Fred’s cousin, Lincoln, tried to engage The Zambezi Crew with him as the lead singer. He did some few shows in Harare, but luck ran out for him when he clashed with Tendai Chimombe, James’ daughter, who told him to stop singing her father’s songs.
Tendai Chimombe, who is studying music at the Zimbabwe College of Music, is yet to make her impact on the music industry. Lincoln is the only one who has the keys as far as reviving Chimombe’s music is concerned, but with Tendai in his way, Chimombe music will die a natural death.
Seven years after the death of Chimombe, his son Fred released an album titled Nherera, which didn’t do well on the local market. Fred dumped music when he became ill. He later became blind and died this year at Hopley farm.
His brother, Lincoln, who was working at a light industry in Graniteside, quit his job last year to take over from where Fred left.
He released an album titled Kudzanai in February this year and its performance on the market is yet to be measured.
Peter Moyo — The young Igwe is arguably one of the musicians of the year. A footballer earlier on in life, Peter took over Utakataka Express with many prophesying the collapse of the band left behind by his father Tongai Moyo. But the youthful musician is doing quite well musically. Peter lost three band members in Shiga Shiga, Spencer Khumbulani and a drummer, who joined flamboyant businessman- cum-musician Energy Mutodi.
But this did not deter Peter from realising his dream of guarding jealously his father’s legacy.
In preparation for his first ever album, Peter is having voice coaching lessons from gospel musician Pastor Charles Charamba.
