Music of Zimbabwe

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Zimbabwean music includes folk and pop styles, much of it based on the well-known instrument the mbira. Zimbabwean pop is one of only a handful of African countries to have an international following, alongside South Africa, Tanzania, Congo-Kinshasa, Kenya, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt and Senegal. An annual Zimbabwe Music Festival is held each year in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. People from all over the world attend this festival and share the experience of Zimbabwean music and culture. Popular genres in Zimbabwe include native chimurenga and imported rumba, soukous and rock and roll. See also: Shona music.

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[edit] Mbira

The mbira, often called a thumb piano, is an integral part of Zimbabwean music. It is played while in a halved calabash which amplifies the sound and distorts it using shells or bottle caps placed around the edges. Though musicologist Hugh Tracey believed the mbira to be nearing extinction in the 1930s, the instrument has been revived since the 60s and 70s, and has gained an international following through the world music scene. Some renowned mbira players include Dumisani Maraire, Ephat Mujuru, Forward Kwenda, Stella Chiweshe, Chartwell Dutiro, Beauler Dyoko, Cosmas Magaya, Hakurotwi Mude, Chiwoniso Maraire and Tute Chigamba.

Mbira DzeNjari is a mbira music genre popular along the eastern border of Zimbabwe. The mbira instrument has 32 keys, far more complicated than other types of mbira instruments. Not a lot is known about this type of mbira. Foreign students from University of Washington recorded some of the music during the Zimbabwe liberation war in Zimunya communal lands from prominent musicians in the area like Mombo Chiwanza and Nyika Musabayana Zimunya. The later recorded one known single at Gramma Records, titled: Adzimai garaimwandichema.

There is also pop music in Zimbabwe that incorporates their indigenous instruments. Although the mbira is traditionally played as ceremonial music to call spirits, there are many who play it in world-fusion music and get successful radio play and album sales in Zimbabwe and other countries in Africa. For example, mbira player Chris Berry with his band Panjea have reached platinum record sales in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, playing a style of music based on traditional mbira rhythms and melodies, but incorporating various other instruments and styles (like hip-hop and dancehall).

[edit] Sungura

This is the local genre of the Zimbabwe music industry. Sungura music became popular in the early 1980s, when the new country of Zimbabwe became an independent nation. The King of Sungura music was no other than the maestro James Chimombe,whose romantic ballads and the influential sungura guitar melody, (consisting of Lead, Rhythm and base,) made him the undisputed King. As he played at popular night spots such as Machipisa's Pamushandira Pamwe, Chikwana's just to name a few, before he became a permanent resident at the talk of the town Hot Spot of the times- Club Hide Out 99 which anybody who was somebody, revelled at from Politicians, Businessmen, Celebrities and all who wanted to have a good time. Other notable musicians include [[Leonard musorowenyoka Dembo]], [[Aleck borrowdale Macheso]], Tongai Moyo, Somadhla Ndebele, Sungura Boys, and Kasongo, [[Simon chopper Chimbetu]].

[edit] Chimurenga

Thomas Mapfumo, master of chimurenga, is probably the best known Zimbabwean musician outside of the country. He began his career singing covers of Western hits in the 1960s, then began moving in a more experimental direction in the following decade. He founded Blacks Unlimited in 1978, by then singing in Shona and using traditional rhythms. By the end of the 1980s, he was using actual mbiras in his band. Chimurenga was a tool of social activism and provided a means of communicating without others knowing (since the lyrics were in Shona). also active on the mbira scene is Sekuru Zhuwawo and the Black Label Group. On lead mbira is Gwenyambira KeCe, renowned for his controversial mbira beats, which have been known to be poached by some hip hop artists, including Eminem, Tupac and Justin Timberlake. his songs usually have explicit sexual content. JFactor sometimes plays the hwamanda instrument in the group. He is renowned for his huge lung volume. He is also known for his explicit lyrics, usually about sex positions and adulterous sex in the bushes of pre-colonial Africa.

[edit] Tuku Music

Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi is a prolific recorder who has also appeared in films like Jit. He plays in a plethora of styles, and is known for penetrating lyrics; for example, he wrote the first song about AIDS in Zimbabwe.

[edit] Jit

Jit is a generic term for electric guitar-driven pop, and includes wildly popular groups like the New Black Eagles and the Four Brothers. Internationally, the Bhundu Boys are by far the most well-known jit performers, and have worked with numerous American and British musicians.

[edit] Rumba

African rumba is mostly associated with the Congo-Kinshasa, but Zimbabwe has produced rumba musicians like Simon Chimbetu and Leonard Karikoga Zhakata. Nowadays, Zimbabwean rumba is more popular than imported rumba.

[edit] Gospel

Gospel music became popular in Zimbabwe in the late 1980s with stars like Jordan Chataika and Mechanic Manyeruke and Jonathan Wutawunashe was the first star of Zimbabwean gospel, and the genre has continued to grow in popularity. Brian Sibalo and Machanic Manyeruke also became very popular in the early nineties. In the mid-nineties, Charles Charamba, a rising artist, grew in popularity, and currently holds gospel sales records. His music became popular through the late nineties into the first decade of the 21st century, most likely due to his Sungura-based contemporary style.

In the late nineties, a lot of gospel artists also recorded, thought a few really rose to stardom. These include Ivy Kombo of the EGEA Gospel Train, Fungusai Zvakavapano, and gospel a cappella outfits like Vabati VaJehovah and Shower Power

[edit] Bulawayo

The Ndebele-dominated region of the southwest of Zimbabwe, including the city Bulawayo, has been instrumental in the development of Zimbabwean music. Seminal 1950s guitarist George Sibanda had a following across Africa, and Dorothy Masuka was a major player on the South African jazz scene, for example. Among the most popular performers of the region within Zimbabwe, however, was 1980s Ndebele pop sensation Lovemore Majaivana. Leornard "Musorowenyoka" Dembo, of karanga (shona) tribe origin, made history, by his music being internationally acclaimed and being used for the miss universe pageant show.

See also: Zimbabwean hip hop

Southern African music

Angola | Botswana | Comoros | Lesotho | Madagascar | Malawi | Mauritius
Mozambique | Namibia | Réunion | Swaziland | South Africa | Zambia | Zimbabwe

[edit] Lyrics

Zimbabwean musicians' lyrics mostly contain encouragement of upholding good social values in the family and society as whole. Such lyrics can be seen on songs by artists like Oliver Mtukudzi, Simon Chimbetu, Louis Mhlanga, John Chibadura, Steve Makoni, Bhundu Boys and many others. Of note however is Thomas Mapfumo, whose lyrics are mainly political and encourage good leadership and rising against bad governance - Most of his albums are named after a word meaning Uprising or War of Liberation, "Chimurenga". His music has earned him the wrath of the ZANU-PF government resulting in the banning of most of his music on state owned radio and TV. Another outstanding musician with striking lyrics is the late System Tazvida of the Chazezesa Challengers. His lyrics were mainly centered on the subject of "Love" and this gained him popularity with songs like "Anodyiwa Haataure", "Ukarambwa Usachema", "Vanotipedzera Mashoko" and "Dai Hanzvadzi Yairoorwa". With the coming of "Urban Grooves" the lyrics content is resembling that of American RnB, Hip Hop and Pop music which the younger generations listen to. One artist Maskiri is known for imitating Eminem's style of controversial lyrics.

[edit] Urban Grooves

This is a new type of music in Zimbabwe that is sung by young musicians and generally appeals more to youthful listeners. Coming on the music scene around 1999 Urban grooves mainly gained ground because of the 100% local content policy advocated for by unpopular former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo. The policy required all radio stations to play only music by local artists for the sake of promoting local talent. This policy was reversed after the expulsion of the Information Minister from government in 2005. The 100% local content policy saw the rising of many new artists like Sanii Makhalima, Roy and Royce, David Chifunyise, Roqui, Leonard Mapfumo, Betty Makaya, Extra Large, Maskiri to mention a few. The style of music closely resembles American Rap, Hip Hop, RnB, Soul and other international music genres. This "immitation" of the West has resulted in Urban Grooves being unpopular with older listeners and artists who accuse the younger generation of shunning their cultural music and identity. At the moment a young lady that has somewhat tried to increase popularity in the Southern African region is Tia. One of her videos was showcased on the popular African Music Channel (Channel O) and this saw her gaining ground on most urban groovers. However, Channel O has not discreminated any musicians in Zimbabwe and has actually encouraged them to bring fourth their music videos. To assist these young talented Urban Groovers in their quest for perfection is a company known as Broadshow Events owned by (Sharon Chatambudza) closely working together with (Kevin Mafunga-Events Co-ordinator). Some of the young talent that the company has signed so far includes the top brass of the Urban Groovers Rocqui, Stunner and XQ. Maybe what Urban Grooves needs are serious producers. At the moment they are not interested in how you sound and mainly focusing on if you are able to pay. Flash Gordon, a young producer has decided to take Urban Grooves a step further and combined yesteryear songs which were done by the late greats and a few still living with the voices of the Urban Groovers. The stage perfomances done with songs from Ilayanga and a few others are quit interesting, exposing the raw talent possesed by these youngsters and if properly sponsored will definately be something to look out for.

[edit] References

  • Kendall, Judy and Banning Eyre. "Jit, Mbira and Chimurenga: Play It Loud!". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 706-716. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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