Musician Shingirai Tapomwa of The Unity Stars Band, who rose to fame through music focused on motivating the national soccer team, is working on a classic video expected to hit the streets soon. (Pictured
Tapomwa (40) has released various songs which have landed top of Radio Zimbabwe music charts. This time around, he is set to rock the music landscape with a video of his second album, Kunombora Joyi. He spoke exclusively to The Zimbabwean: I formed the Glen-Lorne based band in1999 to fill a music vacuum. There was need to compose music motivating soccer teams to raise football standards. I focused on building the confidence of the national team, The Warriors, coached by Sunday Marimo in 2005. My music enjoyed regular air-play on F.M and Radio Zimbabwe.
Hit songs such as track number 7 on my first album Kure Kure, titled Tungamira Zimbabwe, helped the Warriors develop into a formidable squad. In the run-up to international games, my music received overwhelming air play. They virtually became the national anthem. My music is apolitical and suits fans across the political divide. Between 2000 and 2004 my music shows attracted full houses, as the dancing queens teamed up with Katarina Elizabeth of the Mukadota fame. Katarina joined us when Safirio Madzikatire passed away at the end of 1999. The video I am launching soon is about my second album tittled Kunombora Joy. I released the album last year 2009 and the video is a result of public demand. On the album is hit track of the moment, Bherengende vakomana vauya. This song praises the national teams achievements.
Copy cat?
Tapomwa rejected allegations by music fans who portrayed him as an Aleck Macheso copy cat. He said his music resembled that of Macheso as two of his former band guitarists had previously trained with Ochestra Mberikwazvo led by the Sungura King. The other two guitarists were members of Tongai Moyos Utakataka Band and System Tazvidas Chazezesa Challengers respectively. Tapomwa, a leading vocalist, is also the drummer.
To develop talent in rural areas, Tapomwa recruited youthful band members from Mtoko. On average, his music receives 15 requests from listeners to be played on radio programmes every day.
Like other musicians, he said high recording fees, expensive instruments and music piracy had made life difficult for artists in the music industry. The Unity Stars Band is also set to release its third album before end of this year.
Post published in: Music