DENDERA musicians Tryson and Sulumani Chimbetu have for a long time waged a “cold war” for the Dendera crown, following in the well-trodden path created by their late fathers, Naison and Simon, respectively.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Music punters who have had the opportunity to watch Tryson perform have always marvelled at how he appeared to be the “real chip” off Dendera kingpin, Simon, with Sulu several paces behind despite his ability to use publicity to his immense advantage.
But Tryson, who only hogged the music limelight in 2008 after launching his debut album, Marxist Revival, has said his fifth album, Victory (Ballon d’or), set for release on November 12, will put the debate to rest.
In an exclusive interview with NewsDay, Tryson said he was “the king of Dendera” because what gave him the edge was that he received music from the late Simon and Naison in dreams.
“I have ceased competing with the living ones (Chimbetus), but I am now doing music to surpass the bar that was set by the deceased Simon and Naison whom I sometimes communicate with through dreams, getting special guidance in my music career,” he said.
“I will regard it as an insult when someone compares my music with other Dendera musicians.”
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He said he received lyrics for the song Ndarota from Simon and Naison and for that reason, the album will mark his “victory”. The song is a tribute to Simon and Naison.
The album is set to be launched at Radost Platinum, LongCheng Plaza.
Despite his being highly gifted, Tryson started off his music career as a mere curtain-raising act for the likes of sungura ace Alick Macheso before coming into his own as the gift broke through the shell.
The Marxist Dendera Brothers leader has gradually risen to become a force to reckon with in the “cut-throat” music industry dominated by other musicians including his cousins Sulumani, Allan, Saiwe and Douglas.
His participation at crowd-pulling events has seen his fan base steadily growing while his stage confidence and choreography have massively improved.
The new eight-track album recorded at Diamond Studios features songs like Chihera Vhura Door, Ndarota, Isa Moto, Joyce, Ndikutsvagawo Basa, KaNumber Kanyowani and Ndoendepiko
The 27-year-old Dendera crooner said the album will showcase the rich vein he has struck in his career as a musician.
“The album is ready and fans should look forward to mature music that will take them down memory lane as we have taken Dendera to another level. We are confident we have put enough effort to give our fans an excellent product,” he said.
The new Dendera generation has shown that it can keep the genre alive, but there has been raging debate regarding the finest among them between Tryson and Sulu.
Although Sulu appears to be the most popular, Tryson said his music can only be compared to that of the departed Dendera founders rather than their progeny.
Tryson’s music has been received well by fans both locally and regionally that has seen him frequently performing at Transvaal Hotel in Boksburg, South Africa.
“I am happy with the response that I get when I play some of the new songs at my shows. I play most of the songs at all my shows so that fans can sample what we have prepared for them,” he said.
Tryson has collaborated with superstar Oliver Mtukudzi on Pahotera and Peter Moyo on Bhora Mberi, off his fourth album, Compass.
The other albums under his sleeve are Bvamuroad and Nguvaya Chimbetu.
