‘I’m the sungura messiah’

HE is being touted as the “sungura messiah” and the young man believes it to be true.

With just five days to go before the launch of his second album “Mabasa aMwari” at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale this Friday, Peter “Young Igwe” Moyo is confident that his new offering will change the dynamics of the music industry.

If the Young Igwe manages to bring sungura back into the game and lead the genre in a “new more prosperous direction”, he might rule the roost and put the other genres in their right place – below sungura.

Young Igwe says he named his album “Mabasa aMwari” in recognition of the miraculous way that things have turned out in his life since he released his debut album.

“My band was almost in disarray and I never thought that things would be back to normal in such a short period of time. I recorded this album with all the original band members; Willard, Jawi, Spencer, Shiga and Guyson. I would have never imagined this happening just a year ago.

“This is truly God’s plan and I believe that He has a plan for me, my band and my music. This album is going to change things,” declared Peter.

On July 19 2013, a Wednesday, the then 24-year-old aspiring musician, dumped by his two versatile, talented and experienced band members, launched his debut album “Mushonga Mukuru” at the now defunct ZimCafe Hotel.

Having taken over the reins at Utakataka Express, his late father Tongai Moyo’s band less than two years earlier, this was indeed a herculean task for the lad who had no experience in music.

But with a jumpstart of three songs from his father’s unreleased material, the task was made simpler. Utakataka Express fans and music lovers in general were eager to see him succeed than fail and so the young man, who had had to learn how to swim while already in the pool, was given a free pass.

Now four years after he became the Utakataka Express boss and with the original band solidly behind him, will the Young Igwe deliver?

The self-anointed “sungura messiah” who has already riled many with his know-it-all attitude and big ego which is coupled with a short temper says he is ready.

“Sungura is a classic genre but it does not have to remain music for old timers. I am young and I understand how young people think and what they want. That is exactly what I have brought to the table so that it can be enjoyed by everyone.

“Masalad, mahwindi, magweja, bankers, traditionalists and politicians will all be served the same dish but they will enjoy it differently, which is why we are saying ‘tave kuisa sungura kuseri’,” explained Young Igwe.

The 26-year-old, who just like his father before him is known for his swanky dressing, has promised a top-drawer classy act at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale.

“I have invited smart dressers to play with me at the 7 Arts on Friday and these are Sulu (Suluman Chimbetu) and Stunner (Desmond Chideme). My fans and their fans are the best dressed in the land, so people should expect a glamorous affair.”

The Young Igwe’s handlers, 6 Finger Records, which has Wanisayi Tendai Mtandwa aka Mahwindo as its events manager, say they have everything ready for the young musician to swim or be swept away by the tide.

Mtandwa, who entered mainstream music promotion in the late 1990s has worked with Jerry Tondori, Josh Hozheri and Partson Chimbodza before managing venues like Radost Platinum and Devine Assignments’ Richwood Sports Club. She said it is up to Peter to deliver a polished album as her team has prepared a grand stage for him to shine.

“We are seeing this as the rebirth of sungura, a rebirth through an outsider, a young inexperienced yet enthusiastic, creative and energetic artiste. If he was not artiste before, he now is, and we will help him show the world just that,” said Mtandwa, who has gone into bed with ZiFM Stereo for the album launch.

While “Mushonga Mukuru”, Young Igwe’s debut album was recorded at Gramma Records, the latest, “Mabasa aMwari” was recorded at Munyaradzi Viya’s Viyali Studios.

The album, which features Slizer on the song “Pasina Mari” carries five other racks namely “Samasimba”, “Mavanga”, “Rudo Pasina”, “Mhosva Dzamadzinza” and “Domestic Violence”.

The Young Igwe will this afternoon receive blessings from superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi at his Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton where the two are exclusively staging a family show.

While there is no doubt that Peter is here to stay, is he really the answer to sungura’ problems?

 

‘I’m the face of sungura’

Prince Mushawevato

sungura king, Alick Macheso, presently sits with unease on his throne.

And now the beleaguered sungura giant is blaming the media for the waning fortunes of his beloved genre.

The troubled sungura maestro believes that the media has amplified the Zim dancehall genre and its artistes by creating “columns” for it at the expense of sungura, which saw him crowned king.

“. . . people believe what they read. If you tell them that Pasuwa (Callisto) is the best coach in the country or that so and so is the best player in the country, they will go with that. You (the media) created columns for Zim dancehall, a thing you did not do for sungura, and made everyone believe the genre (dancehall) is the in thing and yes these are the results,” lamented Macheso.

However, he was quick to point out that Zimbabwean music is soon going to revert to the old status quo and he will be the man to do it.

“I’m the face of sungura. I don’t want to be remembered as someone who let this beautiful genre go down the drain. I will work to the very last drop of my blood to bring sungura back to the apex,” declared Macheso.

He added: “Unoona haungafananidze maputi nema chips, hazvife zvakafanana. Chero zvose zvichinaka zvine kakusiyana kazvo. Unogona kumbovhiringidzika so asi unongozoona kuti zvakasiyana. Isu tine vanhu vedu kwete veavavo. (One cannot compare roasted maize with potato crisps, it doesn’t make sense. You may get confused at first but in the long run you will come to your senses. We have our followers that are loyal to the genre).”

Macheso, who confessed that he was pained by the fall of sungura from grace, was speaking two days after a monumental flop, which saw only a few hundred fans pay their way into the giant Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza to watch him, Peter Moyo, Slizer and Franco from Botswana perform.

“I am not driven by competition or the need to prove that I am the best. I have noted that the sungura genre, not Macheso, is under threat of being reduced to ashes, and that hurts me more than anyone else.

“Sungura, not just Macheso must regain the glory of yesteryear that saw all the young ‘salads’ not only appreciating but voraciously consuming our music,” he said.

Thus the million dollar question is: Why has the promised album not been delivered yet? Last week, Macheso, who is envied by many for his mental and physical stamina, confessed to this writer in an emotionally charged interview that he was afraid to release the album.

And striking the right chord by ultimately winning lost ground is the only thing that will bring him peace and guarantee him a good night sleep.

“I have had to make several changes on some of the songs on my forthcoming album after consultations so that it comes out well hence the delays – just watch the space. The adjustments we have been making all along will make people understand why they say we are the best in this business,” said Macheso.

After this writer’s encounter with the maestro at a local downtown nightclub, one can be forgiven for concluding that the gifted lyricist and revered guitarist is troubled, worried, sad, distressed or even depressed.

He has the weight of the “world” on his shoulders and the musician is being called to unleash and use the force that saw him crowned king of sungura to save the genre from demise.

Maybe sungura is ready for a new king, just like in Zim dancehall where “king” Winky D has been off form for some time but artistes like Killer T, Soul Jah Love, Seh Calaz and Tocky Vibes have taken turns to keep the Zim dancehall ship going. But remember it’s a BIG maybe.