SHOWBIZ: Granny invades sungura turf

08 Mar, 2015 - 00:03 0 Views
SHOWBIZ: Granny invades sungura turf Tete Pipilo on stage in Mbare

The Sunday Mail

Tete Pipilo on stage in Mbare

Tete Pipilo on stage in Mbare

COLTS in the mould of Simon Mutambi, Romeo Gasa, Obvious Mutani and Ronnie Mudhindo have given the stallion that is Alick Macheso a good run for his money, yet the King of sungura stands undefeated.

Macheso stands head and shoulders above the sungura field, and has done so for a very long time now that people take it for granted that there is no heir to the throne.

So how about a heiress?

While no spring chicken at age 52, Patricia Makusha believes she has what it takes to become the Queen of Sungura.

Performing as Tete Pipilo, the “sungura granny” has declared war on the genre’s established artistes and says she is no pretender.

While the likes of the late Leonard Dembo, System Tazvida, Tongai Moyo, Ephraim Joe, Ketai Muchawaya, Macheso and Nicholas Zacharia have pounded the sungura guitars for decades, few women have made their mark in the genre.

Yes, Susan “Amai Rwizi” Chenjerai and Elizabeth Taderera aka Katarina became household names through supporting comedian-musician Safirio Madzikatire, or simply Mukadota, but they failed to make it big on their own.

Tete Pipilo, born in 1963, says she is here to buck that trend.

The sungura granny, who fronts 12-member outfit Manjenjenje Smart Family, says sungura is not for men only.

Nimble-footed, she delivers quite an act and last week she kept a sizeable crowd in the capital on the dance floor with a well-defined sound that blends well with the group’s dance routine.

So flexible is she, it is hard to believe she is 52.

The lyrics are poignant and the instrumentation pleasant, such that Tete Pipilo can easily be mistaken for a veteran of the game.

Former Orchestra Mberikawazvo and Extra Kwazvose chanter Jonas Kasamba has on more than one occasion made inquiries about the sungura granny; and add to that more than seven former Extra Kwazvose band members have joined her outfit in the last month.

“My group is good and will give them (male artistes) a good run for their money. I want to show that women are equally good both on vocals and instrument arrangement and we will be competing with the likes of Macheso,” she asserts.

“My brand is growing. I have been witnessing guys from other groups including Extra Kwazvose coming to join us. And please note I have not approached anyone; they are coming to me after learning about our exploits.”

Since 2009, she has released three albums: “Zviri Sei”, “Munhu Ngaafare”, and “Chidhanana”.

In the first two projects, the musician focused more on fusing afro-jazz, jit and rhumba.

Though a good listen, the albums did not attract much attention. It was only after releasing her third album that promoters and venue owners started taking notice.

“I took a break to assess the market response after releasing my second album and the findings were not pleasing. I realised the success of the albums was proving to be a challenge but I vowed to keep on fighting until I made a breakthrough.

“… I then released my third album which carried three sungura songs. This became my turning point. The songs were very much appreciated and I went on to record my forth album, ‘Pakaipa’, which will be released next week,” says Tete Pipilo.

She has now shared the stage with notable bands around Zimbabwe as her star continues to rise.

Recently she performed with Nicholas Zacharia and Peter Moyo, and was the main act at a Delta Beverages do in Harare.

“Promoters are calling me to find out about my services and that means I’m in the right direction. The response has so far been overwhelming, but I wish we could get more support. Though financially constrained, we achieved something,” says Tete Pipilo, adding rather confidently that: “Sungura does not have active female participants meaning success will not be a challenge.”

Tete Pipilo is married and has two sons and a daughter. Her husband has interests that occupy him outside his wife’s musical career.

Age and family responsibilities, she reckons, are going to keep her away from a myriad of challenges that characterise the music industry.

“I’m married, have four grandchildren and a son-in-law. This means I’m now a grown up with no room for loose morals. My husband is happy that I’m into this music and supports me. In fact, he is the one who discovered my talent. Add to that my son-in-law always attends my gigs,” she says.

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