“We have had many delays because there is stuff on which I am doing collaborations with Oliver Mtukudzi. The album would have been out in April but we had different schedules,” he said.
Makoni explained that the word Munibho is part of the local lingo in Rusape where he comes from. The meaning of the word is clarified on the album.
“It’s folk music. I like material which affects you and me. Either you have been through that experience or you know someone who went through that experience,” he said.
The man who made his breakthrough in 1994 through the song Handiende, for which he won a NAMA award, said life in the arts could be a struggle at times.
“It’s not bad but it’s a struggle but you need to be strong and persevere. I have survived and most of my songs have survived the test of time maybe because they are relevant to society. When you talk about love and divorce it’s an everyday thing and can still be happening in a 100 years,” he said.
He described life experiences as a great source of material for his music. “As an artist you also experience what the man on the street experiences”.
Makoni’s music and performances are laced with an indestructible humour and he says he is not threatened by new music genres coming up because he draws his audiences from all age groups.
“I am quite comfortable because my material cuts across the board from the youngster to the 100 year old,” he said. Makoni explained his relatively low profile by saying that he had been doing more of corporate functions and weddings but was now back on the live music scene with a weekly show at the Book Café.
After 20 years of performing he has lost none of his touch. “The voice seems to be improving,” he joked and asked if there was any secret to it he could only say “maybe basically just taking care of yourself”.
Makoni’s manager Nigel Shangwa said they were making plans for overseas tours. “In the near future we are going to the UK and early to mid-next year we are going to the United States and a greatest hits compilation is also coming up,” he said.
Post published in: Arts