BY AGATHA CHUMA TO some, music is just a passion, but to others, it is talent which runs in the bloodline.
Looking at the state of Zimbabwean music today, different genres and melodies are introduced everyday and that gives us hope that local music is growing.
From Zimdancehall, sungura, hip-hop, Afrobeats and contemporary, among other genres, new artistes and new sounds are being produced everyday.
Thumbs up to producers and managers for a job well done.
However, there is more to Zimbabwe’s fledging arts sector.
Children of established artistes are also appearing on the showbiz scene to give us more content, carry family legacies and, obviously earn fame.
Looking at the dendera genre, it is Simon and Naison Chimbetu who started it and the legacy is still alive today, being carried forward by their children with the popular one being Sulumani, who appears to be looking ahead.
His uncle, Allan Chimbetu, also serenades revellers at many joints around the country taking them down memory lane as he belts out dendera songs.
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Sulu’s cousins Tryson and Douglas have also released songs of their own as they keep dendera alive.
Also keeping dendera alive is Chamunorwa “Chamson ” Boroma, who claims to be Simon’s son.
Stacy Tendai Macheso, the daughter of sungura icon Aleck “Cheso Power” Macheso, is also following in his father’s footsteps, but in a different genre.
The 19-year-old rising musician has ventured into Afro-pop and has so far released two singles Ingozi and Amai.
Tendai is currently working on an album which she said would be released soon.
She said although she wanted to keep her father’s legacy alive, she also wanted to make a name for herself so that she can be an international star.
She is of the view that music is ministry, hence that is her mission in the industry.
Like Tendai, Agga Nyabinde son of award-winning Afro-jazz musician, Bob Nyabinde, has proved his worth in showbiz.
He says he wants to master his father’s art and take it to the next generation.
To him, being a jazz musician is all about inspiration and passion.
But he has gone a gear up by creating his own live sounds from the drum beat to the guitar as he is fond of experimenting with the instruments.
He has seen others do it, hence influence is also in the mix.
Selmor Mtukudzi has not also allowed the legacy of her father, music grandee Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi to be buried together with him.
Although sometimes she performs her late father’s songs, she has also managed to compose her own songs which fans have received with much appreciation.
Before Tuku’s death, she would at times share the stage with him.
Even her late half brother Sam, would also share the stage with his father before his unfortunate death in an accident 12 years ago.
Talk of Selmor’s husband, Tendai Manatsa, he is also a musician just like his late father Zexie Manatsa.
In gospel circles, the daughters of gospel musicians Charles and Olivia Charamba, Shalom and Eternity, have started making waves in that genre.
Shalom released a single titled Mbiri Yose, while Eternity released Tonamata and both of them have received a positive reception.
Contemporary musician Jah Prayzah’s music seems to be in safe hands.
His son Mukudzeyi Jnr has given the audience a snippet of what he is capable of as evidenced in his song Rovai Ngoma and a freestyle of Hokoyo during its shoot.
Just at nine years, Mukudzeyi Jnr can play the mbira instrument with the ease of a pro, which signals a bright future for his father’s fans.
The same is being witnessed in the acting scene, whereby a vibrant actor Taurai “Gringaldino” Boora, son of the late Lazarus Boora who was known as Gringo, is making waves on the comedy scene.
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