BEHIND THE MUSIC

Behind the music is the massage. A massage is of consequence and value to different people and in that respect music becomes a social commentary in our daily lives.

The massage essentially gives meaning to music and joy or dismay to those who listen to it. The message can be of awareness, can be of love, warning or any other elements which are of consequence to humanity and other living elements.

In the African context music such as ‘Neria’ by Oliver Mutukuzdi communicate a massage to take heart in time of bereavement losing your husband is not the end of the world. The lyrics point us in that direction: “Neria usawore moyo ka Neria Mwari anewe...kufigwa nemurume kunoda moyo waka shinga.”The other one also by Oliver communicates the message of the deadly virus AIDS which is slowly eradicating the human race in his song “Kuseri kweguva akuna munamato barume” with lyrics such as tachavigwa nani ko?-who will bury us. In this song Oliver was lamenting about how the virus is slowly killing everyone and who is going to bury the other person, tears have all dried up because of constant crying as the disease is killing almost every day. Thus the song acted as form of awareness to the people.

In the other music especially RnB the dominant message is of love and heart breaks. In songs such as “Ndashamisika” by Trevor Dongo otherwise known as Trevor ‘D’ marvels at a lady’s beauty and is amazed by her beauty such that the whole song is about him having fallen for this lady’s beauty. So the message at the end of the day is about love love love...

In gospel music the massage is about loving God and being faithful to his commandments, and making prayer a central practice in your life. Massages behind these songs fundamentally point to living your life in the right way and to abide by God’s teachings. Some gospel singers such as Mai Charamba, Debora Fraser, Rebecca Malope among others are popular in this genre of music.

The message at the end of the day  is adopted according to the kind or type of music that appeals to an individual.

Oliver Mutukuzdi-www.newsday.co.zw

Music and Feminism

Feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of sexes. Feminists on the other hand are—“just women who don’twant to be treated like shit”-said Su an Australian woman interviewed for the 1996 anthology of the DIY feminism.Feminism is communicated in various music genres, therefore in that light we cannot separate feminism from music. Beyounce Knowles others wise known as Queen ‘B’ is a pop star who is identified with some outstanding feminist vibes of all times. Therefore in that light focus will be given to her song—“Run the world (girls).” Basically the massage in the song is that women are  more than capable.

BeyounceKnowles’s 2011 single (Run the world {girls}) she sang “we are smart enough to make these millions...strong enough to bear children...and get back to business.”The song is a post feminist anthem (Jody Rosen-www.nytimes.com/beyounceknowles).

“We are smart enough to make these millions” essentially points to that women are smart enough and capable to work their way to the top and attain their own wealth without the men. Women have always been looked down upon and undermined as not capable to compete as equals to men in various industries. In the music industry however women have managed to break male dominance and succeed and Queen ‘B’ is testimony to that. Some names that come to mind include Mary J.Blige, Cynthia Mhare, and the late Brenda Fussy among others.

“Strong enough to bear these children” the idea of motherhood is communicated in these lyrics. Women are able to multi task they have careers to build and maintain and yet have this God given duty and blessing to reproduce and build families. Therefore if they can do all that they are able to take on the world.

All in all women must not be undermined and taken lightly because they have proven more than capable of taking care of business and definitely they can run the world.

BEYOUNCE KNOWLES-Hollywood.com

Zimdancehall: The 'message' in the lyrics

Zimdancehall has become force to reckon with in the Zimbabwe music industry. This genre of music has gained prominence in the country in the last few years and it is now well established and has a large support base especially from the youth. However the ‘message’ in the music has been put under a lot of scrutiny in light of that is it building or destroying us as a society.

Some of the lyrical content in the songs communicates and in a way influences hideous behaviour and in the process eradicating the good morals the society is striving to build especially in the youths. Some of the lyrics glorify drug abuse, violence and sexual immorality. Such tendencies are displayed in videos like “ndinongosimuzda musoro” released by Soul Jah Love which has much explicit lyrics and video content.Another artist Guspy Warrior also released a song praising the use of marijuana otherwise known as mbanje—“tipe chamba timone mone.”Violence is also a common feature emphasized in some of the lyrics of the music for example in the song by ‘Lady B’—"Akunyeyausipo mamisa, akutorera mudiwa wako mamisa” or Beat up anyonetrying to snatch you lover (www.theZimbabwean).

From left to right-Travor Dongo,Shinnsoman,Sir Calas,Knox,Soul Jah Love, Freeman-www/pindula.co.zw

However some of the music in this genre is also known for its hard hitting lyrics which often encompass social commentary on issues like poverty, unemployment and other such issues(mostly on the positive side). Some examples of this music include that of Toki Vibes in his song Toki ‘Toki Aenda nenyika’ were he manages the feat of praising God and bigging up his mother (www.zimbojam.com). Tally B’s ‘Ngavazorore murugare’ which is a reminiscence of the good old days were music fallen heroes ruled the roost (zimmail.co.zw) is also one example of music in this genre that communicates a positive reflection.

All in all it is clear that dancehall as moved from its promotion of social and political consciousness to the elevation and glorification of sexual immorality and violence. Be that as it may be some of it is worth appreciating and listening to.

Whats up in the hood!!!

Roki and Ammara Brown #an item#
For urban grooves artist first it was Pauline Gundizda, a few others and now its Ammara Brown.Is she going to be the one who is going to win prince charming's heart and heard for the alter or what?How long is it going to last?Has Roki finally found his resting place or Ammara is just going to be one of many women Roki has dated and left behind.Guess we have to watch and see...lol

Ammara Brown-iharare.co.zw

Roki-www.zimmail.com

Mathias Mhere catches wife  cheating on whats-app.
# where is the holiness#
This shocking news of Mhere's wife cheating has left us asking where is the holiness.Mathias Mhere is a well renounced gospel artist who spreads the message of God though music.It is just expected that he and his family especially the spouse also follow and live the gospel of God that the husband is preaching.According to 'mafaro'(www.mafaro.co.uk) Susan Dzinamarira  who is Mathias's wife is apparently cheating on Mhere with Gift Mahlupheka who is also a gospel artist and a close friend to Mhere.Furthermore Mhere is alleged to have stumbled on some charts the cheaters would send each other which included semi undressed pictures, while also arranging to have sex.

 

Mathias Mhere-www.newzim.com

Tinashe is dating US rapper-Future
Tinashe who is an RnB singer based in the US apparently has something going with Future (www.mafaro.co.uk).Last year it was reported that Tinashe was the other woman in Future and Ciara's marriage but claims were never backed up.Now rumors allege that Tinashe and Future are together.According to mafaro reports started two weeks ago when the two were spotted at a Nike store were future was apparently getting some new gear.

Tinashe in the  corner then Future and Ciara-hollywoodlife.com

Remembrance: Lucky Dube-one of the greatest reggae artists of all times

LuckDube was one of the finest reggae artists of all times. His music  is still  a part of us even after his death and it still moves a lot of people because the message in the music was strong and relevant not only in the South African context but to the world at large. Lucky Dube’s songs carry a social message and articulated the struggles of a black man during the apartheid era in SA such in his songs “Prisoner” and “House of Exile” among others. His songs were not only rich with a message inside but also greatly entertained us to great lengths and I’m sure those who can identify with his music can testify to that.

Dube was born on a small farm near Ermelo in the Transvaal (now Mpumalanga). He was named Lucky because he was considered fortunate to have survived ill health as a child. Though he did not consider himself a Rasta in the traditional sense, his dreadlocks and espousal of Jah (God) lent him the air of a Rastafarian .He started his carrier as a traditional musician in 1979 and switched to reggae in1984(www.theguardian.com).

Dube recorded more than twenty albums and won numerous awards for his music. He won four OKTV awards for ‘Prisoner’ another for‘captured’ and another two for the ‘House of exile’, Serious Reggae business, a compilation album released in 1996, won him the title of the best selling African recording artist (www.sahistory.com).

Lucky will always be remembered for his great music with songs such as ‘Remember me’ and ‘Prisoner’, ‘Think about the children’ and ‘Different colours’ among others. Lucky is described as a down to earth, superb artist with a message in his music, an artist with a reason and rhyme in everything he did.

Dube died at the age of 43 when he was shot dead in an attempted car hijacking in Johannesburg on October 18 2007.His works are still celebrated and loved not only in South Africa but the world at large. ‘Lucky Dube was the King’ of Reggae and his memory will forever live through his music. 

 

Lucky Dube-www.africahit.com

Lucky Dube-wir.skyrock.net

Post Valentine look #Flashback#

Valentine mod in 'Blues' was set in motion by various music shows which took place in different corners of the city. Veteran jazz artist Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mutukuzdi who was set to perform alongside top SA musician Ringo Madlingozi on valentine’s eve show apparently withdrew from the scheduled performance due to illness.
 Mutukuzdi’s last minute withdrawal forced the SA star Ringo 'to go it alone'.The two had been scheduled a share the stage at the city’s large hall.

RingoMadlingozi is said to have swept the crowd with his breath taking songs of love which are among his hit tracks like Thando Novuyo, Ngiyagodola and into yami among others.

To compensate for his friend’s absence, Ringo is said to have even attempted to sing the shona verses n the song he collaborated with Tuku.

Be that as it maybe, Tuku has done well in the past collaborations with various top artists from SA.He did a joint recording with aremarkable artist Lady Smith Black Mambazo and is currently workingon a track with Hugh Masekela. Mutukuzdi is indeed a legend and when he is along side Ringo they are a sensation and the  songs that they have collaborated together are testimony to that.

However although Tuku did not show up for the performance Ringo managed to entertain his audience with his fine music and this year’s valentine was a valentine with a difference for those who attended the show and hopefully the spirit of love keeps on growing and spread beyond this day....let love lead!!!

Ringo Madlingozi and Oliver Mutukuzdi-www.newsday.co.zw