Oliver Mtukudzi charity concert

Emmanuel Mwendwa

Only on rare instances do musicians, especially from the Third World, ever get to grace the Time Magazine’s front page.

But Zimbabwe’s leading artiste Oliver Mtukudzi achieved that fete in 2003, when he was featured on April’s edition cover.

‘The People’s Voice’ – proclaimed the screaming caption beneath the artiste’s photograph. Mtukudzi was the magazine’s lead story.

It was a high water mark for the seasoned guitarist slated to perform tonight at the city’s Arboretum Grounds for charity in aid of Nairobi Women’s Hospital.

The artiste arrived yesterday accompanied by a seven-member band. He is expected to headline the annual fund-raising gala event in support of the hospital’s Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC), which was officially launched in 2001, the recovery centre offers varied services ranging from hepatitis B vaccine, counselling to specialised theatre procedures, emergency contraceptives for women and rape victims.

Suzanna Owiyo and keyboardist Aaron Rimbui will also entertain.

Profile

Mtukudzi’s career spans almost four decades and has released close to 50 albums, Tomorrow, he will rock Club Afrique alongside musicians Makadem and Muthoni.

The accomplished artiste’s profile is not only phenomenal — he is also endowed with artistic verve and unflagging energy whilst on stage.

For over two decades, Mtukudzi releases on the international market at least two albums annually — raising his stature as one of Africa’s eminent musical voices.

In Zimbabwe, the artiste is revered for his uncanny ability to compose catchy yet thoughtful lyrical melodies rendered with a traditional-flavoured groove.

The artiste’s songs are widely known to be contagious and the lyrics invariably address societal and community-based challenges. A case in point is popular hit Twende Twende – collaboration with Kenyan artiste Eric Wainaina.

For almost two years, the track has been used as a jingle on local radio and TV stations.

And like his trademark chartbuster hits such as Todii, Mtukudzi has a penchant for penning simple lyrics. These relate to ordinary day-to-day issues or struggles facing average Zimbabweans.

It is this novel approach, which endears the artiste to the public in urban and rural areas of the Southern African country currently at political crossroads.

But whereas his thought-provoking lyrics are popular among the citizenry, some of his subtly scathing songs previously drew wrath and put him at odds with President Robert Mugabe’s hardline regime.

Bands

Barely five years ago for instance, it was a common secret in Harare’s streets that Mtukudzi’s popularity had soared to levels if he plunged into politics he could have easily beaten the incumbent. Ever since he recorded his debut single Stop Before Go, his rise to fame has been meteoric. He penned the song almost two years before he joined the Wagon Wheels band fronted by Thomas Mapfumo.

But it was four years later in 1979 when he formed his band the Black Spirits band.

Mtukudzi’s songs are immensely influenced by Chimurenga beats — an indigenous genre, strongly driven by hypnotic rhythms of the mbira (thumb piano), which was pioneered by Mapfumo. His music also incorporates distinctive afro-pop influences, the South African mbaqanga style and the traditional Kateke drumming patterns common amongst his Korekore clan.

Soon after the country attained its independence in 1980, Mtukudzi released an album aptly titled Africa – with two lead singles cut off the LP Mazongonyedze and Zimbabwe seemingly personifying the fledging nation’s nationalism spirit.

The artiste has previously performed in Nairobi.

In an interview with this writer four years ago, the adroit guitarist pointed out fact that during his formative years, he would listen to a range of Kenyan songs composed by pioneer musicians from the 1960s era.

"The songs composed by artistes like Paul Mwachupa, Fundi Konde, Daudi Kabaka, Fadhili William among others were quite amazing – Nairobi was renowned as East Africa’s music hub back then. These songs did significantly influence my own style", he noted.

Notwithstanding his countless concerts across the globe, Tuku, as he is affectionately referred to by a legion of fans – remains committed to Zimbabwe’s live music circuit performing regularly even in remote areas. Little wonder then that his fans locally are counting on thrilling performances by the artiste.