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Psychologists believe names produce the “Dorian Gray effect” . This refers to the ways internal factors such as, personality or self-perception, influence physicality. Musician’s name proved this true Musician is a musician, honest he was named Musician and he ultimately became one. In 1996 together with Sam and Valentine they formed True African Connection an Urban Groove set up. Their songs Kamutandavare and Tapera topped Radio Charts  Musician says he became a musician because he enjoyed writing music and stories. His family and his friends encouraged him to sing because they found his voice good enough for the microphone. While being interviewed at Zifm Tinopona added to the discovery by describing Musician’s voice as soothing. This prompted Musician to learn guitars as well to compliment his voice. His choice was inspired by Leonard Dembo, Tongai Moyo and Khiama boys. Musician learnt the Sungura guitar abandoning the Urban Groves which is usually associated with beats generated fr

Nompilo together with her husband have always had a habit of singing together at home.  Lanso Nompilo's husband is an upcoming dancehall artist while to Nompilo it has also been a passion ever since.  Nompilo had always had a passion in music but she never found the opportunity to record. Her husband Lenso also was reserved with her taking music seriously. When growing up Nompilo' mother did not support her due to an incident that embarrassed her. Sometime back when Nompilo was in grade 5 she attracted ZBC news crew to their house so that they could profile her. She failed to sing as expected and the session was adjourned. Ever since her mother discouraged her. Nompilo grew up in the suburb of Mufakose listening  to South African house music which inspired her to settle for Afro Pop though currently she hasn't any album to her name. Nompilo took advantage of lockdown to record some songs. Vana vangu, takafanana, Ndaikuda, Hausikuda, Nguva iye and Anondida are some of the so

It is our society’s norm that children spend their childhood in the comfort care of their parents. It is believed parents give the best care to their off springs, but it was different for Netty Dhidhimu aka Madah in music circles.  It wasn't so because her parents were deceased but circumstances. Netty had to endure a hostile upbringing because her mother had been separated from her, a right she deserved. Her mother later passed on while she was in form 1, the painful part is that she never met her, Netty does not remember her mum, neither does she know what happened between her parents. Netty attended her primary school under the custody of her paternal grandparents. She lost her father while she was in grade 7. Whilst still a minor, but was about to start her secondary school, Netty couldn't take any of it. She left her paternal grandparents to join Tariro Trust with the help of her step sister. Netty started singing while she was still a child, each time she was lonely she w

  In many industries trainees are entitled dissimilar. Mechanics start as  apprentice, university graduates are named interns and cadets are junior soldiers. There are certain abilities these trainees are expected to gain before they graduate. The understanding is that the learners will become equal options and replace the experienced in the event of need. In professional jobs there are age restrictions, retirement age. Other opportunities open in other positions of influence politics, religion and business opportunities and leave senior positions vacant. In the music industry the designation upcoming musician seems to have settled well with beginners. These are musicians who would be finding everything unfamiliar. Abilities to lure fans will still be distant even though the skill to make music exists. Attracting audiences is the most vital skill required to commercialise music. No matter how good a musician is, success will be difficult if he hasn't got a handful following. Someti

  Our society is bludgeoning, and if you are not careful you will end up unhappy the rest of your life if you yield to its demands. Gushungo had musical abilities all along but he continued to brush it aside and he fell for the musician manager position instead. This was his own serene decision. After finding out he can do it also, he retracted to face his earlier fears. Gushungo started by recording an album with a mixture of traditional songs and Andy Muridzo inspired beats. But some people feel he should continue as a manager. On Friday 11 September Gushungo held his first public show at an old peoples food distribution function he volunteered to play. I could see old people dancing, possibly they were reminiscing the good old days. Gushungo’s hold of the audience cant be of a wannabe. Gushungo is a musician who is full of potential. With the right guidance he will occupy the future of Zimbabwe music. Gushungo churned out his new offering song by song to the delight of the sizeable

  Written by Fred Farai Nyakudanga FFF  Greetings to you all musical fans, artists and entrepreneurs. While we rue the folding of record bars and flee markets that distributed music throughout the country, music still is finding it's way to the people. The biggest question would be how? Some youngsters would be quick to lead very simple theories of social media. Would social media work out to an upcoming musician fresh from Wedza who soon after completing school relocates to the City and stays with his Uncle in a small lodging. How would he cajole our designer conscious Journos who are used to the company of popular artists who smell nice with his rudimentary dressing, to hype him. On social media people download music from popular artists whose works they have enjoyed before I have observed. Recently Mambo Dhuterere has a new offering (Zvinodzimba Ngoni) trending, his fans are busy sharing the melodious tunes on Social Media. They are also spreading positive reviews of his songs.

  Gushungo was known in the music circles as an artist manager for Carlos Green, Wanai and Jean Masters. Unbeknown he had singing abilities himself too. Gushungo says while he was managing artists he appreciated well how to become a successful musician. The exposure while in the trenches on behalf of other musicians convinced him to turn to the microphone himself. Singing is not new to Gushungo as he affirm that back in 2013 he sang in church such that people positively commented his singing abilities.  It was his mother as he narrated that inspired him to take singing as a career. Gushungo's powerful voice, motivational and mature lyrics integrant his music. Currently Gushungo released his debut album Machembere a 2020 production. His band is busy preparing for live shows as soon as lockdown restrictions are relaxed. Gushungo says the sky is the limit, he has come in the competitive music industry to stay. About criticism Gushungo said, he was not perturbed at all about negativit

When Percy Masendeke was growing up in Bocha Mutare, music dictated his pastime. His makeshift drums created more interest to learn about music. Percy’s friend introduced him to the banjo guitar that was made from left over cooking gallons. It did not take Percy time to grasp the technique to play the banjo.  Sometime in 1996 Percy holding his musical skills with high esteem met Mike Moyo of  Assegai Crew. Mike led Percy were they were carrying out their rehearsals in Mutare. Assegai Crew led by Stobart Chidikano went on to release a song that became a hit Amaibhoi from their album Zvese Mari. The band was so intact that Percy admired to pursue music as his career. In 1997 Percy joined Hotline, a band that was resident at City Moto Moto in Mutare as a rhythm guitarist and drummer. Percy later moved to Harare where he got a job to compliment to his music income. Percy worked with several musicians that included Forster Mkwevo Ambuya Madhuve. Later on Percy joined Gift Amuli as a drummer

  Phil Zulu’ itch is to make music distinguished from all other musicians including his father. He wants to be a man on his own with a distinct destiny. First he departed from Marabi music and settled afro jazz. Even though his father Kireni Zulu found popularity with Marabi music, with songs like Zvekungonhonga and Dherira so ingressed into people's minds that anyone at anytime can unconsciously hym when busy with their work. Phil still insists he will make a separate legacy to compliment his father's. Phil Zulu admits that he followed his father’s footsteps as music runs in his veins. His first album was released in 2008 Zvenzeve but it was not well marketed. It took him ten years to start working on another project which he released late last year. Tariro is an album laden with social commentary, it is doing well on radio and social media channels. The lockdown restrictions have  disrupted Phil Zulu's plans to embark on a promotional tour of his album. Phil stressed th

  Written by Fred Farai Nyakudanga FFF  Politicians, business executives, entrepreneurs, academics, the general public and villagers all envied what real toil earns. It was so unassuming to learn that there is no need to steal from the same people who support you. Dr Oliver Mtukudzi's success spoke for itself. Instead of paying attention to the proceedings of the funeral I saw famous men at the fish pond and the fowl run admiring the projects the crooner was pursuing. Musicians have always been lowly regarded in the field business and meaningful wealth is least expected from them. But what I witnessed on this day is unalike. Well to do men admitted Dr Oliver Mtukudzi was focused.  It has been one and half years ago I was in Madziwa for Dr Oliver Mtukudzi's burial when I witnessed all this. All the who is who of our country thronged the Mtukudzi homestead to pay their last respects to the iconic figure. The government of Zimbabwe had conferred a heroes status on Dr Oliver Mtukud

  Major Shelly's ambition is to have his music touch souls within Zimbabwe and beyond its borders. He says music is a calling that he tried to ignore for a long time because he has another career. But now and again he found himself singing until he ended up considering the gift. His effort right now is to saturate the Zimbabwean market so that international penetration becomes easy. Major Shelly is a strong believer that charity begins at home. “Though the music market penetration in Zimbabwe is thorny owing to the lack of intermediaries, record labels that market music on behalf of musicians. You have to invest into your own music until it has been accepted.  Social media has helped in a way to reach out to music fans throughout the country. Though there are a few financial results. The few radio stations take up a few new songs as compared to the population of musicians in the country. Radio airplay is still very important to make songs popular.”  To date Major Shelly has two alb

  Written by Fred Farai Nyakudanga FFF  Better I Do It Myself Syndrome I have questions, is culture what is intended? Let us say we find out its important  everyone must save money for the future, but none is saving. Is culture what is expected? A school is getting low marks but parents look forward to good results. Can we say the school has a passing culture because we expect good results. I find it unusual also to assign how my ancestors lived as my culture though it influences my characteristics and knowledge there are limitations. Even if I want to, where would I practice hunting land is now owned we just have a few acres of reserved land where there are plenty mice. It's mischievous too to identify my culture on artefacts and symbols only without telling the whole story.  Zana K Ncube defined Culture as follows  “ Culture is a collective term for the set of habits, behavior,ideas and artistic expressions that a group of people exhibit. Culture has a physical and metaphysical

Born Magdalene Mhuriro Gogo Mhuriro started singing long back when recording was a privilege of a few talented . She recorded in 1987 a vinyl single titled Jabulani, side A and Always on my mind on side B. Jabulani which was an afro jazz fusion. And the on B side she settled for reggae.  She recorded her second project between 1987 and 1989, it became her debut gospel album, Mupiro Wangu , which had 8 songs. This was on tape, cassette. She Took a long break because her family care incapacited her to concentrate with music. The family needed her closer attention as all her children were now school going age. The good thing was that she kept the spirit and never stopped writing songs. Gogo Mhuriro has 4 children 2 men and 2 women who are all married. Her grandchildren total 8 so far. Armed with a lot of experience from her break Gogo Mhuriro’s come back became easy. She recorded a single Kutenda Mwari, chronicling her experiences and testimony that no crisis is permanent. In 2018 ,  T

Written by Malax Afro You are never too old to learn, neither is it too late for you to change, just in case you never knew about the predicament of upcoming artists. After reading this article you should know, this is the time. This narrative is coming from one of the Upcoming artists. We face so many challenges which can be mitigated if you our authorities cared. My big brother Alick Macheso wrote in one of his songs, "One takes a whole lot developing and perfecting so much time is spend in the studio". But what does he/she get at the end of the day, nothing. There is piracy but it's corruption of late that has exacerbated the livelihood of artists. For one to get frequent air play, money has to exchange hands with Radio Presenters. Bribe is the only answer to have a song on radio despite the song being good or not. This now means it is survival of the richest not the most creative, this corruption is killing our music industry. National TV programs are prioritising wel

 

  Machululu video by Silas Carter Muchemwa is a song that is all about praising the beauty of women. Machululu is a Nigerian word that means  beautiful woman. The video gives insight about love, it goes on to tell that love has  nothing to do with the structure or outside appearance of a woman. The lines that support this go like  " They call you slender woo because u are thin bbe , I don't care & I don't mind because I love you”. The lines go on so say “They call you jojostina (JoJo tank) because u are fat , I don't care,  I don't mind because I love u...."

  Written by Fred Farai Nyakudanga FFF   Today August 12 is Zolile Makeleni’s birthday so Benjy Nyandoro posted Happy birthday in the same Jive WhatsApp group we are. I got curious to find out how Zolile chose to be a Filmaker and Actor. I got so interested to learn that with all the opportunities in rugby  Zolile Makeleni felt empty. This elicited me to put it on record.  Imagine with all the accolades Tendai Matawarira The Beast has earned from rugby Zollile traded the sport for Filmaking and Acting. Zolile Makeleni is identifiable with his white hair do he usually adorns. He says Filmmaking and Acting started as a passion that was identifiable at College until his lecturer urged him to professionally consider it as his career. I personally first saw Zolile acting as Tsotsi in a local Soap Wenera. His character really depicted a Tsotsi and little did I know one day we were going to interact. The way he and his father in the cast Humba (Conrad Mwanawashe) reveales unambiguously the