The Sunday Mail
Society Reporter
RISING artiste Collen “Codza” Chimuka is on a mission to revitalise local gospel music and believes his style will give excitement to the popular genre.
There was a time when gospel music hogged the mainstream music market and received rave views on the local market and in the region.
At the turn of the millennium, the likes of Baba na Mai Charamba, Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, Blessing Shumba, Elias Musakwa, Baba na Mai Patai, Shingisai Suluma, Ivy Kombo-Kasi dominated music charts.
But the tables have since turned.
While gospel music still has a decent following, most music enthusiasts now seem to follow secular music.
“It is always important to analyse the situation before coming up with a remedy. Gospel music no longer has its vintage grip on the market and it is our duty as present-day worship singers to make sure we reclaim the high rating of old,” said Chimuka in an interview with The Sunday Mail Society.
But the musician certainly has a mammoth task ahead of him?
A lot of gospel singers are delivering well-polished albums and live acts, yet their efforts are not receiving the attention and recognition they deserve.
“Monotony is the reason why our fans end up looking for alternatives.
“The challenge is most of us are scared to explore new avenues with regards to our sound. We all seem to be keen on following a particular template, which in turn annoys fans.
“I am coming up with a different type of gospel music, which I call traditional-gospel. The music incorporates instruments like mbira, hosho and marimba that are traditionally regarded as secular instruments,” he added.
The musician is set to drop three new singles “Hapana Hapana” (remix), “Tiyambutsei” and “Pafunge” in the coming week.
The projects were recorded by Laiton Ngolomi, Blessing Masanga and Tonderai Diro and feature seasoned songbird Bethany Pasinawako.
“Covid-19 has complicated things for us. I would have loved to release an album but the situation is not permitting. The singles are meant to introduce our new style as well as bridge the gap between now and the time we finally release a full album,” explained Chimuka.
The musician has four studio albums — “Kurukura Nemusiki”, “Zheve Yake Inonzwa”, “Ndokupai Moyo Wangu” and “Anopindura” — under his belt.
Chimuka specialises in relating day-to-day life issues to scriptures.
He, however, does not use Bible verses as lyrics.
