Music of Zimbabwe
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Musical Genres
Rock
Some famous Zimbabwean rock bands are - Dividing The Element, Evicted, Flying Bantu and Chikwata-263. [4] [5]
Sungura
Sungura is the most popular musical genre in Zimbabwe. It emerged in 1953, in a time when regional identity was in formation.[6] This is the local genre of the Zimbabwe music industry. Sungura music became popular in the early 1980s, pioneered by frontman Ephraim Joe and his band Sungura Boys which counted many notable future hit makers as members.[7] Their roll included John Chibadura (guitar) Simon Chimbetu (guitar and vocals) Naison Chimbetu, Ronnie Gatakata, Michel Jambo (drums), Ephraim Joe (guitar), Moses Marasha (bass), Never Moyo (lead guitar), Bata Sinfirio (rhythm guitar), System Tazvida (guitar and vocals).
The Khiama Boys emerged as natural successors to the Sungura Boys after their demise during the mid-eighties. Members would include System Tazvida (Rhythm guitar), Cephas Karushanga, Nicholas Zacharia (Lead guitar), Alick Macheso (Bass), Silas Chakanyuka (Drums) and Zacharia Zakaria (Sub Rhythm guitar). A great number of these artistes have gone on to forge successful careers with their own bands whilst Nicholas Zacharia has remained as the leader of the band and is still active as of 2008.
James Chimombe, whose romantic ballads and the influential sungura guitar melody (consisting of lead, rhythm and bass), made him a favorite in the late 80s. Other notable artists include Zexie Manatsa, Tinei Chikupo, Paul Matavire, Zvishavane Sounds and Jonah Moyo's Devera Ngwena, among others.
The 90s decade was dominated by musicians such as Leonard Dembo, the effervescent Khiama Boys, veteran Simon Chimbetu and then upcoming artistes Alick Macheso, Tongai Moyo and Somandla Ndebele. One of the stars of the decade was Leonard Zhakata, whose musical project was a spinoff of the double play[clarification needed] Maungwe Brothers, an act fronted by Zhakata and his cousin Thomas Makion. Other popular acts included Pengaudzoke, the Wrist Brothers, Zimbabwe Chachacha Kings, Aaron Chinamira, King Pharao, Hosiah Chipanga, Stabien Mawire and Paul Mpofu, to mention a few. The decade 2000 till present has been characterised by a wrangle for the crown for the kingship of Sungura between the two most prominent Sungura musicians of the decade, Alick Macheso and Tongai Moyo. Having dominated sales, tour and concert attendances, the heckling and counter-heckling by the artists at shows and in some recorded material is strong proof of their feud akin to the BIG vs Tupac in American '90s hip hop.
Other artists to come through this decade include Joseph Garakara, Suluman Chimbetu (son of Simon), Allan Chimbetu (Simon's brother), Tryson Chimbetu (Naison's son), Cephas Mashakada, Gift Amuli, Howard and Tatenda Pinjisi, First Farai as well as Josphat and Daiton Somanje, the Pengaudzoke frontmen who were pursuing solo careers. Alick Macheso has largely dominated the scene, creating popular dance choreographies such as 'Borrowdale', Razor Wire, zoraaa butter, femba bute and kedebu, which mimic everyday routines in Zimbabwean life. A new generation of Sungura artists is emerging, largely influenced by Macheso's distinct style of a leading bass guitar. This generation includes artists like Mark Ngwazi, Tendai Ngwazi, Peter Moyo (son of Tongai), Simon Mutambi, Romeo Gasa, Sugar Sugar, Jacob Moyana and Francis 'Slomo' Dhaka among others. The genre is increasingly getting international recognition with some non-natives trying it out. Notable among these are Eirik Hoff Walmsiness 'Eriki' from Norway and Indian Dhyaan Kumar.
System Tazvida, Simon Chimbetu, James Chimombe, Tongai Moyo, Paul Matavire, John Chibadura, Leonard Dembo, and Thomas Makion have all died. It's also worth noting that a new wave of Sungura, dubbed Trap Sungura, has emerged in Zimbabwe, fueled by Tanto Wavie.
Imbube
Imbube was created by Zimbabweans while they were still technically a part of Rhodesian culture.[8] This genre consisted of male singers in an acapella style, which differed from most of the typical music at the time that was formed around unique instruments. During this time period, many of the Zimbabwe men worked in mines for long hours. They formed Imbube by singing along together as a means of passing the time. The vocals coming from the caves echoed to produce better quality, and encouraged the men to continue singing these happy tunes. Occasionally the miners would sing songs of social justice, but a majority were generally happy and used as entertainment.
Jit
Afro jazz (Zimbabwean jazz)
The Pakare Paye Centre has worked for spreading Zimbabwean Jazz to young musicians since 2004, founded by Afro-Jazz musician Oliver Mtukudzi.[11]
Chimurenga music
Tuku Music
Zimdancehall
Zimdancehall is Zimbabwean music influenced by Jamaican dancehall music, it is also known as Mangoma. There is frequent debate around the origin Zimdancehall within Zimbabwe. Notable Zimdancehall performers include Winky D and Soul Jah love.
Rumba
Gospel
Gospel music became popular in Zimbabwe in the late 1980s. Jonathan Wutawunashe has been described as "Zimbabwe's first real gospel star".[2] Other population musicians in this genre include Jordan Chataika, Freedom Sengwayo, Mechanic Manyeruke, and Brian Sibalo.[13]
The early nineties saw the rising of new gospel stars in the mold of Ivy Kombo - Moyo and Carol Mujokoro of the EGEA gospel Train whose debut album Mufudzi Wangu was released in 1993 and contains tracks such as "Be Thou My Vision", "Ndotarisa Kumakomo" and "Utiziro" among others. The two went on to pursue successful solo musical careers and released "Ndaidziwanepi Nyasha" and "Ropa RaJesu" as their debut solo albums respectively.
Gospel artists who emerged from the mid nineties include
In the late-nineties,
In the early 21st century, a lot of gospel artists also recorded, though a few really rose to stardom. These include Fungisai Zvakavapano - Mashavave who has risen to become the most dominant female gospel musician in the current era, Stanley Gwanzura (Pastor Gee), Kudzai Nyakudya, Tembalami, and gospel a cappella outfits like Vabati VaJehovah and Shower Power.
Instruments
Mbira
The
The instrument is a central piece in their religious rituals. The most important function of mbira is the idea of it being a "telephone to the spirits" during ceremonies. It is the sole way of communication between the living and deceased ancestors, ancient tribal guardians, or guardian spirits. The mbira is required to ask these spirits to bring rain during drought, stop rain during floods, accept their offerings, ask for forgiveness, and bring clouds when crops are damaged by the sun.[15] These instruments were made from resources from the land which connected them further connects the indigenous people to their land and this deep connection has helped communities in Zimbabwe to continue their tradition of mbira music despite the development of colonialism.[16]
The sound made by this instrument closely imitates the noises made by rain or running water with rich and vibrant tones "like bells". The sound has a special presence; one that feel the music as much as one hears it.[17] Penetrating and warming at the same time, immediately capturing the involvement of the listeners and drawing them into its mood. The pieces of music played vary by the artist but there is no specific way to play this instrument. The music performed is all about elaboration and variation supporting creative expression of the performer.[16]
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, Stella Chiweshe, Chartwell Dutiro, Mbuya Dyoko, Cosmas Magaya, Tute Chigamba, Forward Kwenda, and Chiwoniso Maraire.[2][18] [19]
There is also pop music in Zimbabwe and around the world that incorporates Zimbabwean indigenous instruments. For example, mbira player
Marimba
The marimba was introduced in Zimbabwean Music during the early 1960s when the Kwanongoma College of African Music in Bulawayo adopted it.[21] Founders of the college considered that marimba could boost the musical development of the country, and design a model that it's now known as Kwanongoma marimba.[22] Zimbabwean marimba or Kwanongoma marimba is now considered part of the Zimbabwean culture.[21]
The first Zimbabwean marimba was built by Nelson Jones in 1962. However, the wood used was too soft. The next year, Josiah Siyembe Mathe started using a Lozi instrument called Selimba, common in the southwest of Zambia. The original Selimba was an 11-key instrument. Mathe built later a soprano, a tenor, and a bass. using Mukwa wood for the keys.[22]
Michael Bhule built the first set of Kwanongoma marimba. Alport Mhlanga composed the first repertoire for the instrument.[22]
Bulawayo
The
Lyrics
Zimbabwean musicians' lyrics mostly contain encouragement of upholding good social values in the family and society as whole. Such lyrics can be seen in songs by artists like
Urban Grooves
Coming on the music scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Urban Grooves takes in American Rap, Hip Hop, R&B, Soul and other international music genres, often melded with traditional Zimbabwean music.
Artists such as Sanii Makhalima, Alexio Kawara, Roy and Royce, David Chifunyise, Leonard Mapfumo, Roki, Stach, Betty Makaya, Extra Large, Maskiri, Kactus and Nehoreka laid the groundwork for the new genre, which gained increasing popularity among the youth. The style was helped by the 100% local content policy in effect at the time, which required all radio stations to play only music by Zimbabwean artists.[25]
A second generation of artists such as Trevor Dongo, Drum Dada, Q Montana, Mokoomba and Nehoreka have come to prominence more recently.[26]
See also
- Paul Berliner
- International Library of African Music
- Makwayera
- Zimbabwean Marimba
- Mbira
- Shona music
- Hugh Tracey
- List of Zimbabwean musicians
- Zimbabwean hip hop
References
- ^ a b Dwamena, Anakwa. "Zimbabwe's Powerful Music of Struggle". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- ^ ISBN 1-85828-635-2.
- ^ Popoola, Tayo. "True Jit Bulawayo". BBC. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
- ^ "An eviction that inspired the "Evicted Band"". Business Times. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ "Zimbabwe's Dividing The Element Unleash The World's First Shona Metal Album". Rock Pit. May 23, 2018.
- S2CID 144463915.
- ^ "Popular music in Zimbabwe". Music In Africa. 2014-11-24. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
- ^ "Zimbabwean Music". World Music Central.org. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- ^ "Jit -- What you teach your kids about the world MATTERS". Online education for kids. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
- ^ "Jon Dennis analyses John Peel's top 20 albums". the Guardian. 2005-10-12. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ "Zimbabwean Afro-Jazz icon impacting young musicians". Africanews. 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
- ^ "Book: Lion Songs, Thomas Mapfumo and the Music That Made Zimbabwe". banningeyre.com. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
- ISBN 91-7106-494-X. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ ISBN 0-520-04268-9.
- JSTOR 43561389.
- ^ OCLC 1105749905. 57 pages, includes illustrations; + 1 videodisc.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ISBN 978-0-226-04379-1.
- ^ "mbira musicians". tinotenda.org. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
- ^ "Musician Biographies". mbira.org. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
- ^ Bakare, Lanre (August 9, 2017). "'We feel like aliens': Shabazz Palaces, the hip-hop duo beamed in from another planet". The Guardian. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- ^ JSTOR 24877253.
- ^ a b c "About Marimba | History Of The African Marimba Of Zimbabwe". Otto Gumaelius. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
- ^ "The Legendary George Sibanda / RootsWorld Recording Review". www.rootsworld.com. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- ^ Miller, Bruce. "The Legendary George Sibanda/Zambia Roadside". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- ^ Tivenga, Doreen Rumbidzai (August 2018). Zimbabwe Urban Grooves Music and the Interconnections between Youth Identities and Celebrity Culture (PDF) (Thesis). Department of English in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Free State.
- ^ Denselow, Robin (April 25, 2013). "Mokoomba: Zimbabwe's new sound". The Guardian. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
Further reading
- Eyre, Banning (8 February 2019). "Liberation and Loss: The Tangled History of Zimbabwean Music". daily.redbullmusicacademy.com. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- Kendall, Judy and ISBN 1-85828-636-0
- Muranda, Richard; Maguraushe, Wonder (2013). "Sungura Music's Development in Zimbabwe: The Emergence of Trendsetters, Emulators and Copycats" (PDF). The Journal of Music and Meaning. 12 (2013/2014). ISSN 1603-7170. JMM. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
External links
- BBC Radio 3 Audio (60 minutes): Zimbabwe 1988. (Sony Radio Award-winning program) Accessed November 25, 2010.
- Dandemutande A non-profit resource for Zimbabwean music & culture
- MbiraMagic.Com : Mbira Education Website by Forward Kwenda and Andy Fowler
- Mbira.Online : the world's largest mbira masters video and notation Archive
- Mbira.org Erica Azim's site, based in Berkeley, CA
- Zambuko Solomon Murungu's Shona Music Site
- Zimbabwean Music Festival, an annual performance and workshop festival in North America
- Africa Beats: Zimbabwe's Mokoomba - Tonga Music
- Zimvibes Music Station