A new era emerges in sungura

Over the past few years, sungura has continued to consolidate its concrete ground base and maintained its pole position as the central genre in the local music industry.

The early 80s groundbreaking group, the Sungura Boys, led by Ephraim Joe, was comprised of legendary musicians such as the Chimbetu brothers Simon aka Chopper and Naison aka Dr Nero, System Motomuzhonji Tazvida, Michael Jambo, John Mr Chitungwiza Chibadura and Ronnie Chataika amongst others.

After the group disbanded, stars such as the late legendary James Chimombe and Leonard Dembo, took centre stage. This period onwards has been characterised by a constant change of hands over the reigns of the genre as new artistes continue to battle for supremacy.

Although at times paths were crossed, harsh words exchanged and weapons drawn as artistes fight for the majestic sungura crown, it has not gone unnoticed that the nature in which yesteryear musicians and todays emerge has since changed.

It has become the norm in the local political sphere that is rocked by endless breakaway factions, such was the case in the 80s and 90s, that aspiring musicians first had to seek shelter under the wings of senior artistes for mentorship before forming splitter groups to pursue solo careers.

Such was the case that haunted the pioneer band, which later sired the Nicholas Senior Lecturer Zacharia led Khiama Boys that also gave birth to the late System Tazvidas Chazezesa Challengers and Alick Machesos Ochestra Mberikwazvo.

The same can be said about Maungwe Brothers which nurtured one of Africas finest musician Leonard Zhakata after he parted ways with his cousin, the late Thomas Makion, to form The Zimbabwe All Stars. This period literally marked and shaped what became the future of Zimbabwean music.

However, the new millennium has been marked by a different criterion in which upcoming musicians are breaking onto the mainstream music scene. Most musicians have since adopted a new formula of either copying or continuing with the legacy of fallen music gurus.

This came to the realization of most aspiring musicians who learnt from former Ochestra Mberikwazvo rhythm guitarist Zimbabwe African Rhythm Experts founder Innocent Mujintu that the old breakaway theatrics were no longer applicable.

It is against this backdrop that Mutare based Sugar Sugar sought to reincarnate the music legacy of the late music icon Ketai Muchawaya of Dai Uriwe (if it was you) fame.

Youngsters such as Sulumani Chimbetu, Tryson Chimbetu, Simbarashe Chibadura, Morgan Dembo, Freddy Chibadura, Marshal Munhumumwe Junior, have all joined the band wagon of keeping alight the music legacy of their late fathers. They successfully managed to court the lime light using their late fathers legacies.

Sulumani son of the late legendary musician Simon Chopper Chimbetu is currently riding high with his latest release Non-Stop. He also boasts several awards after taking the reigns of the Ochestra Dendera Kings at an early age of 24.

Tryson son of Naison Dr Nero Chimbetu is working on his first solo project. The same goes for the late Marshal Munhumumwes sons, Marshal Jnr and Shingai who made headlines when they announced that they are planning to resuscitate their late fathers music legacy.

However, for some, the musical expedition has not been an easy road since the majority of the vulnerable youths sometimes fail due to lack of guidance. In 2008 Freddy Chimombe tried in vain to follow into his late fathers footsteps until he lost most of his fathers instruments.

Shephard Sirewu of Audiotronics Promotions and the reigning king of sungura Macheso have played an instrumental role as far as promoting youthful musicians from music families that have taken over their legacies. Henceforth, the continuation of these musical dynasties has become the umbilical cord – taking over from the 90s breakaway system feeding sungura with future untapped talent.

For feedback and suggestions for future columns email to: yourviews1@gmail.com