Leonard Zhakata

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Leonard Zhakata is a Zimbabwean musician very popular in his home country, though not as well known internationally. Zhakata writes and performs songs mainly in his native Shona tongue.

Zhakata is best known for his hits Hupenyu Mutoro and Batai Mazwi. However, it was his 1994 smash Mugove which propelled him to domestic stardom.

More about Leonard Leonard Zhakata is a qualified Fitter and Turner and the only boy in a family of seven, Leonard Zhakata used to sneak from home and play music with his primary school mates. Then at Shiri Yedenga School in Glen Norah, Harare, at a tender age of thirteen he had his first music composition "Baba vaSamson". Pursuing school and later serving for an apprenticeship, it took Leonard sometime before he could record. After, the usual frustration of being turned down by recording companies, he had his luck break and recorded his first 12-inch entitled "Moyo muti" sometime in 1989, to be followed by any album "Yarira Mhere"in 1990. Leonard Zhakata's songwriting skills continue to rise with the releases of chart busting songs such as 'Tungidza Gwenya' and 'Shungu dzemwoyo'. He however seemed to remain in the mediocre periphery of "Who is Who" on the Zimbabwean music scene, until the release of his mega chartbusting album ' Maruva Enyika'with hit song 'Mugove' in 1994. Backed by a very tight musical outfit, The Zimbabwean All Stars Band and a well choreographed dance display, this album set Zimbabwe on fire during the festive season of the same year. No party was complete without 'Mugove' being played. Those who had doubted Leonard's music mastery had to think again. All albums that followed thereafter 'Nzombe Huru', Vagoni Vebasa' and three more others, established Leonard Zhakata within the Zimbabwean music household. Zhakata is a sought after performer be it at private parties or music dancehalls and never disappoints his fans. His stature continues to grow from strength to strength.

contibuted by BBPea