CONTEMPORARY musician Andy Muridzo’s star in the music industry is on the rise as he appears to have struck the right chords.
BY OWN CORRESPONDENTS
The irony, however, is that in a society where music fans frown upon “copycats”, the young crooner appears to have escaped censure given the way fans have embraced him and his music.
Born Andrew Ngwenya, Muridzo had to endure brickbats from Jah Prayzah’s fans who regarded him as a helpless copycat who lacked creativity after having gone as far as adopting Jah Prayzah’s look, particularly with his dreadlocks and stage postures and antics.
While Jah Prayzah’s band, Third Generation, is nicknamed “Masoja”, Muridzo has named his Jeetaz Band as “Maofficer”.
The Dherira hitmaker has become a darling of many promoters, with his latest album, Ngarizhambe, being one of the most played in kombis, parties, radio stations and private functions, with tracks such as Chidhafudhunda, Dherira and Haungandikoromotsi having become instant hits, almost threatening his idol’s recent offering, Mudhara Vachauya.
Although Muridzo has never made Jah Prayzah’s contribution to his own growth as a musician a secret, he has attributed his success to his own gifting and ability to craft songs.
“There is no magic. It’s only the talent and singing new stuff. When an artist thinks of a topic, for instance, it might be a love song, the main words that click are ‘baby, tichavaka musha tozodaidai, (My love we will build our home), but personally, I try to be indirect and create controversy among people,” Muridzo said.
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Muridzo is just one of few local musicians who have successfully imitated others while a lot fell by the wayside. He has joined the league of the late Tongai Moyo, who started off as a copycat of the late great Leonard Dembo, but later became one of the most sought-after musicians in the country after developing his own unique sound.
The host of Dembo’s admirers and “copycats” would later include Energy Mutodi, Innocent Mjintu and Jacob Moyana.
Only the late Tongai Moyo enjoyed real success out of “copying” Dembo while gospel musician Mathias Mhere climbed all the way to the top amid claims he was an imitator of Mutare-based musician Blessing Shumba, but just added a little speed to the beat.
Other “copycats”, however, have not been so lucky in music as they found the going tough before sinking into oblivion. Gospel musician Trymore Bande announced his arrival by aping Charles Charamba. While he found glory at the beginning, reality soon hit and he disappeared on the music landscape.
Sungura musicians such as Joseph Garakara of the Idya Banana fame, Romeo Gasa and Obvious Mutanhi have been labelled Alick Macheso copycats through imitating his famous baseline. They have awfully failed to make an impact on the music scene.
At one point Macheso has to release a song called Murondatsimba, which was interpreted as lashing out at musicians copying his music.
Rising musician Tendai Chipara came under fire from the Utakataka Express camp after releasing his fouth album Zvakutapira, which was said to be littered with Dhewa’s fingerprints.
“I bought the album Zvakutapira from this young chap, the creativity and depth of the songs is not his. I strongly believe that he stole songs written by the late Tongai Moyo,” said a close confidante of Peter Moyo.
Chapara confirmed to have been approached by Utakataka members accusing him of stealing songs left by the late Tongai Moyo.
“There are certain individuals who have approached me accusing me of stealing songs from Tongai Moyo. I do not know where they are getting it. I only talked to Tongai once although I used to attend his shows. There is no way I could have got hold of his music,” Chipara said.
Musicians Robbie Chagumuka and Jairos Chabvonga have also been accused of imitating chimurenga guru Thomas Mapfumo. It would appear as if Muridzo, however, has jumped over this hurdle.
