The Sunday Mail
Society Reporter
Musician Romeo Gasa has called upon other sungura musicians to “move with the times” and introduce a brand that appeals to people of all ages.
According to Gasa, the type of sungura which is being produced is not appealing to the youths.
“Sungura is often viewed as a genre for old people. Some critics even say that the genre is old-fashioned and lacks appeal. As sungura artists, we must move with the times and broaden our appeal base,” Gasa said.
Gasa added that sungura artists must introduce digital choreographing, instrumentation and animation.
Zimdancehall artists can record their songs even if the artists are not capable of playing any musical instruments.
On the contrary, a sungura artist cannot do the same since the recordings are supposed to be complemented by musical instruments.
“If we look at all these factors, we come to the conclusion that sungura must be modernised. Instead of using the traditional methods of recording with live instruments, we can also switch to pre-recorded the same way the Zimdancehall artists are doing,” Gasa said.
To prove his point, Gasa will use his new album titled “Phone Yababa Imhiripiri” as an example.
The new 10-track album is set for release on September 10 in Harare.
Some of the tracks that Gasa says possess a “modern touch,” include “Tiri Vedondo”, “Happy Day”, “Dzimai Moto”, “Long Distance Love” and “Phone Yababa Imhiripiri”.
The songs “Long Distance Love”, “Happy Day” and “Phone Yababa Imhiripiri” have some elements of Zimdancehall, Afro-fusion and Rhumba.
This is not the first time that Gasa has tried to “modernise” sungura.
In 2019, he released the album “Tamba Irikurira” with some songs on the album such as “Mr Brown” and “Mukoma Zanda” having a unique touch.
Gasa said the length of most sungura songs is contributing to the genre’s waning fortunes.
“Sungura songs are very long as compared to Zimdancehall. The listeners end up getting bored and lose concentration. There is need for producers to shorten the songs,” reasoned Gasa.
On average, most sungura songs can run for as long as 15 minutes. Most Zimdancehall songs play for between three and six minutes.
Gasa claimed the manner in which sungura songs are being composed does not appeal to the youths.
“The youths are creative and are shunning sungura opting for either Afro-fusion or Zimdancehall. As sungura artists we need to pull our socks and gain the lost fans.”
Gasa is not the only artist who has made efforts to try and modernise his works.
The late Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu moved from his old Dendera Sungura and introduced a new beat on the “Panorama Chapter 1 and 2” albulms.
The late national hero, Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi also did the same when he was under the management of Debbie Metcalfe.
Gasa rose to national prominence in 2007 at the tender age of 20 after winning the Chibuku Road to Fame singing competition.
He is adamant that sungura will, in the near future, became the country’s most preferred genre.
“If we make deliberate efforts to lure the lost fans back, sungura music will once again become the most popular genre. This can be achieved.”
