Oliver Mtukudzi

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Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi
Background information
Born(1952-09-22)22 September 1952
Highfield, Southern Rhodesia
(modern-day Harare, Zimbabwe)
Died23 January 2019(2019-01-23) (aged 66)
Harare, Zimbabwe
GenresAfro Jazz / Tuku Music
Instrument(s)Guitar
Years active1977–2019

Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi (22 September 1952 – 23 January 2019) was a

human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
for Southern Africa Region.

Career

Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits

Mtukudzi grew up in

night club available for blacks under Rhodesia's policy of segregation. Their single Dzandimomotera went gold and Tuku's first album followed, which was also a major success. Mtukudzi was also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa's "supergroup".[1]

With his husky voice, Mtukudzi became the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and he earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond. A member of Zimbabwe's KoreKore group, with Nzou Samanyanga as his totem, he sang in the nation's dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English. He also incorporated elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans as Tuku Music.

Mtukudzi had a number of tours around the world. He was on several tours in the UK, US and Canada to perform for large audiences. In 2017 Mtukudzi entertained guests at the wedding of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo.[2]

Social commentary

Prior to the independence of Zimbabwe, Mtukudzi's music depicted the struggles under Rhodesian white minority rule.[3] In subsequent years following Zimbabwean independence, his music has advocated for tolerance and peace and has frequently portrayed the struggles of women and children.[4]

Personal life and death

Mtukudzi was the father of five children and had three grandchildren. Two of his children are also musicians. His son Sam Mtukudzi, a successful musician in his own right, died in a car accident in March 2010 and in 2013, Mtukudzi released an album titled "Sarawoga", in tribute to his son.[5][6][7]

On 23 January 2019, Mtukudzi died at the age of 66 at Avenues Clinic in

diabetes mellitus.[8]

Discography

Contributing artist

  1. 1996 The Rough Guide to the Music of Zimbabwe (World Music Network)
  2. 1999 Unwired: Acoustic Music from Around the World (World Music Network)
  3. 2000 Unwired: Africa (World Music Network)

Filmography

  • Jit (dir. Michael Raeburn, 1990)
  • Neria (dir. Goodwin Mawuru, written by Tsitsi Dangarembga, 1993). Mtukudzi starred in the movie and made the soundtrack.
  • Shanda (dir. John and Louise Riber, 2002, rev. 2004)[10]
  • Sarawoga, 2009, was written by Elias C. Machemedze, directed by Watson Chidzomba and produced by Oliver Mtukudzi, who also did the soundtrack for the film.
  • 2012 Nzou NeMhuru Mudanga DVD, the live recording of a show, a theatrical performance which Tuku had with his son just weeks before his death.
  • A new Neria 21 film was premiered by Rawsoot Studios in 2021 and later public release in March 2024 on YouTube. The new release was dedicated to the late musician Oliver Mtukudzi.

Awards

  • An honorary degree from the University of Zimbabwe in December 2003[11]
  • M-Net Best Soundtrack Award in 1992, for Neria[12]
  • Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (DHL) from The Institute of Philanthropy in July 2014[13]

References

  1. ^ "Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits, Zimbabwe Music Guide". Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2007.
  2. ^ "Tuku serenades Chivayo's marriage ceremony guests". The Herald. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Mtukudzi buried in his home village". 27 January 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Oliver Mtukudzi and his 'talking guitar' was our gift from Zimbabwe to the world". Quartz Africa. 26 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Zimbabwean music legend Oliver Mtukudzi has died". CNN. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  6. ^ "Sam Mtukudzi dies in car crash". Newzimbabwe.com. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Oliver Mtukudzi's son dies in car crash". Times LIVE. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  8. ^ "Music legend Oliver Mtukudzi's guitar strums silenced in diabetes battle". Nairobi News. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Tuku debuts double album on UK tour". New Zimbabwe. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  10. ^ Review of Shanda movie at Dandamutande
  11. ^ "Mtukudzi, Ringo expected for UK concerts". New Zimbabwe.com. 11 October 2006. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
  12. ^ Oliver Mtukudzi:Biography, Sheer Sound
  13. ^ "Mtukudzi receives honorary doctorate". The Herald. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
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