The Sunday Mail
Current showbiz goings-on are a put-off. From Eriya Tembo, Baba Keketso to Dr Nyanyi — it’s all a circus.
But before unpacking some of the grey arears causing us unrest, we start by passing our belated condolences to the late Prince Musarurwa’s family.
The young and vibrant crooner succumbed to lung cancer close to a fortnight back following a year-long battle with the ailment. This is one artiste whose music pedigree was unquestionable. We are certain if the Almighty had granted him more years on earth, he would make an even much bigger mark.
Though he rose to fame courtesy of featuring on Pah Chihera’s hit song “Runonzi Rudo”, Musarurwa had four albums under his belt namely “Gara Muberevere”, “Gogodera”, “Kurarama” and “Chiga Chikuru” that easily showed his astuteness as a composer and singer.
In that young man, this country had an artiste who was genuinely in love with his culture, both on and off stage.
What a loss!
A special thanks to all musicians, promoters, friends and family that gave the singer a befitting send off. The baton is now left with members of his generation to make sure they keep the showbiz verve buzzing through products of substance.
Unfortunately though, the new breed of musicians we have seems to have mastered the art of causing heartaches than cheer. It is disheartening to notice how Eriya Tembo, one of the late Biggie Tembo’s five known sons, is slowly degenerating into a “booze slave” in imbibing joins.
He is now in the habit of delivering “free shows” off the stage at fellow artistes’ gigs, of course, inspired by the intoxicating brown bottle he is developing unconditional love for.
Eriya’s alcohol enthused antics are easy to notice and easily capture attention. This is not because he is a musician and son of a legend, but his hard-to-ignore beefy body as well.
Imagine a “ndimba/monya” (bouncer) staggering, bottle in hand and clearly out of touch with sense?
Add random and forceful grabbing of lady imbibers to that. It is an ugly sight. One that should draw sympathy, not laughter.
Please Eriya, slowdown. Just two years ago you were pledging to keep the Bhundu Boys legacy alive and certainly this is not one of the ways to do so. Eriya’s script reads almost the same with that of Andy “Baba Keketso” Muridzo.
We do not need to dwell much on this vastly talented yet misguided crooner since most of his shenanigans are already in the public domain.
But he seems to have gone into self-destruction overdrive of late. Baba Keketso complains of unfair treatment from the media. However, that should be no licence or excuse for him to act wild. It only gives his supposed “detractors” more ammunition against him.
This idea of him going on stage visibly sloshed or playing redolent games with ladies at his show venues must stop if he still wants to maintain the little relevance he still commands.
Granted, he is talented but talent alone is not enough to see him rise to the top in this cut-throat music industry. A lot of factors among them self-respect and control play a crucial part.
Soul Jah Love, Progress Chipfumo, Last “Tambaoga” Chiyangwa and the late Andy Brown traversed that path before the likes of Muridzo, and can give him an idea of where it leads.
Enough about the lovers of wise waters and women. We need to spare a thought for Carlos Green aka Dr Nyanyi.
The Vane Mari Vauya (VMV) band leader who flaunts a flashy lifestyle dressing in fancy designer clothes and driving expensive vehicles should reconsider his career in music.
Ane chido but chipo hapana (he has love for music but lacks talent) kikikiki.
Probably the only credit he deserves with regards to music is his ability to network, market his work and support fellow artistes’ events. That is just about it. His voice is awful and it is made worse by the singer’s compositions that lack depth.
We have tried sampling both studio and live performances of Carlos Green’s music but the difference seems to be the same. Both versions irritate, sorry to say.
Perhaps the crooner needs to enlist the services of a trusted song writer such that where his vocals fail him, the message will save the day.
