The Sunday Mail
Forget the chaos that characterised Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu’s album launch over a week ago – the dust has settled.
Gunship, his new baby, is now the centre of focus – and with each passing day since its release, it gains momentum.
Slowly – dendera/sungura is being played again in supermarkets, kombis, restaurants, taxis and even in nightclubs.
The 11-track effort, rich in lyrical content and laden with a flair of next generation dendera beats, some fast while some slow – grows on the listening ear, becoming a part of one’s life.
Like wine, Sulu has matured. With every album he has released, the dendera crooner, son to the late Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu has developed a distinct character of his music – which he has finally mastered.
Other sons of late musicians continue to struggle to find their feet – yet Sulu is competing with the finest in the country.
He compares himself to Bob Marley’s children. “Titori pa level yevana vana Marley, tinozvimiririra,” said Sulu.
One wonders, what makes this 32-year-old ex-military man tick. It is definitely not sympathy, because basing one’s music career on sympathy is a suicidal gamble – ask the likes of the Dembo brothers (Morgan and Tendai) and Peter “Young Igwe” Moyo.
Sulu has enough awards to last a lifetime, having won with every single one of his previous four releases. He popularised collaborations in sungura/dendera music and continues to sharpen his skill.
In terms of branding, Sulu’s brand is one of the most sought-after by corporates, as he has managed to land some of the most lucrative deals in the country.
Currently he is the brand ambassador for Alpha Omega, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), Corporate 24, Vaseline, Population Services International, Royco, Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) and the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association, to name just a few.
Although, album launches were already being done in Zimbabwe, he revolutionised the way they are done, he popularised them, made them not just money-spinning ventures but brought glitz and glamour.
His band is one of the most professional outfits, with a band manager, a tour manager and a spokesperson. He even maintains a business office in Avondale. “Hatingarambe tichiitira madhiri mu street,” he says.
All Orchestra Dendera Kings band members are on medical aid.
“We don’t want to be running around asking for help from people when a band member falls sick. This job is their life.
“This is how they take care of their families.
“We are just making sure that they have all the benefits that any professional has in Zimbabwe,” said Sulu.
Criticism has been directed the singer’s way over the seemingly “commercial direction” he has taken on his new album.
Critics accuse the musician of trying to court sponsorship by singing about the dangers of veld fires and child killer diseases in songs such as “Moto” and “Skero”.
However, the artiste laughed off the criticism, saying the songs are a reflection of his own experiences.
“I am a father with a number of children.
“When I had my first child I would forget or even not care about taking a child to the clinic for the periodic weight check and immunisation programmes.
“But I know now how important those things are and I am simply reminding listeners to take those things seriously as they affect the future health not only of our children but our country as well,” he said.
Awareness of the many dangers lurking in society is not Sulu’s only message; he also follows his father’s footsteps in singing about Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
“This is me bringing back Chopper – singing about my father’s life and history, which happens to be the liberation struggle.
“He never released an album without a liberation war song. It’s my way of bringing Simon into Sulu,” he explained.
To show his maturity and different view of life, Sulu also sings about unity.
“There is a lot of bickering in families, workplaces and even at country level, but fighting has never produced good results,” said Sulu.
He admitted that he sings about his personal life on the song Mr Benson.
“It is not just about unifying my family though, it is about other families and even as a nation – we need unity,” he said.
It does not end there – his collaborations with superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi on the song “Idah Nhoro”, Somandla Ndebele on “Phone” and Soul Jah Love on “Nyuchi”, are an effort to foster unity among artistes.
He said: “That album has a unique interaction between dancehall, sungura, dendera and Tuku Music.
“These are different genres and four different artistes making music – there is no better way of creating lifelong friendships and a platform to share ideas and experiences.”
Could this be Sulu’s year?
Read More – Prince Mushawevato’s story on SULU’s album: Unpacking THE ammunition
