GUITARIST and musician Donald Kanyuchi said he owes his success to the benevolence of superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, who took him under his wings and mentored him until he could fly on his own in the music arena.
BY LORRAINE MUROMO
Kanyuchi told NewsDay Weekender that the legend has been his mentor since 2008 at Pakare Paye Arts centre, and has moulded him into a fine artiste with a bright future in the industry.
“I was groomed by Oliver Mtukudzi since 2008 and that is when I started playing a real acoustic guitar because I grew up playing a homemade guitar, with stolen fishing twine,” he said.
“Being under Tuku’s mentorship helped me a lot, especially turning me into a disciplined musician and learning the ropes of how to survive in this industry.”
He said at that time he did not even have a guitar and the music superstar gave him one.
“He gave me a guitar to use since I did not have one and I had no money to buy my own, so I feel very humbled to have been given an expensive guitar by a worldclass superstar,” Kanyuchi said.
He said he was grateful for the breath of life that was given to him by the internationally-acclaimed Tuku, adding that he would not have discovered his talent had it not been for the grilling at Pakare Paye Arts Centre.
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“During my interaction with him (Tuku), I have learnt to interact with the audience, particularly during stage and live performances. I also learnt to be patient because music is not easy and is a serious trade,” Kanyuchi said.
Meanwhile, Kanyuchi said he was currently working on a duet with songstress, Cynthia Mare, titled Wakaita Hako and promised fans that the song would be on the shelves by early January.
“The song is amazing and Cynthia’s voice added a sweet and contagious flavour to this song, I am excited to be working with her as I believe I made a right choice in terms of collaboration,” he said.
Currently, the duo are preparing for the video shoot.
