Music
to his musical throne, died. Death has also deprived Tuku of a brother and four sisters. Mtukudzi has had a number of tours around the world. He has been on several international tours during which he performed before large audiences. Last year Tuku embarked on European and Canadian tours where he held a string of successful shows including an appearance at the much hyped Jamaican Summer festival in which he shared the stage with reggae music legends. More so, his 60th birthday celebration held at the Glamis stadium in September will undoubtedly go down as the country’s biggest music event last year and it also coincided with the release of his 61st album Sarawoga. The event, one of its kind in the country to date, featured an array of local artistes who include Alick Macheso, Jays Marabini, Fungisayi Zvakavapano, Suluman Chimbetu, Diana Samkange, Tryson Chimbetu, Selma Mtukudzi, Willom Tight, Munya Mataruse, XQ, Allan Chimbetu, and Jah Prayzah. The local artistes were joined by foreign artistes Ringo Madlingozi, Dorothy Masuka, Judith Sephuma and Steve Dyer from South Africa. One would think that with all what he has achieved over the years, Tuku has let pride get the best of him but the man remains a down-to-earth personality and with great respect for his music predecessors. “The likes of Thomas Mapfumo, Zexie Manatsa, Tineyi Chikupo, Safirio Madzikatire and others who started before me, I salute them because their work shaped my art in many ways. We never competed but complemented each other,” he said. More than just an entertainer, Mtukudzi is committed to addressing everyday social challenges, using his music as a vehicle to speak about the issues he’s passionate about. Last year he became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for eastern and southern Africa, focusing on youth development and HIV/AIDS. In contrast to music critics that refer the urban grooves genre as “bubblegum
Top: Tuku performing at the Lake of Stars festival, a music extravaganza at Lake Malawi in 2011, (Courtesy of Steve McInerny) Left: Back stage just before getting on stage in Grahamstown 2008, (Courtesy of zimbabweinpictures.wordpress.com) Right: Tuku rehearses with AY Band, Sam Mtukudzi’s band under his wing at his Pakare Paye institute (Courtesy of Shepherd Mutamba& NewZimbabwe.com)
music”, Tuku is grateful to the young generation of artistes. “Our young artistes must be appreciated more because the public attitude towards them is bad, the urban groovers who are doing a great job, I salute you guys because makapenga,” said Tuku. Today, Tuku’s pride is his arts academy named Pakare Paye Arts Centre, located in Norton where he teaches the art of music, turning music aspirants into complete performers. “I will continue working with the youngsters, nurturing their talent and mentoring them because they are the future. I am committed to that cause at Pakare Paye,” he proudly said. Apart from music, the centre promotes cultural initiatives such as drama and poetry based on novels and targeted at
the youth. It also taps young talent in music composition, sound and lighting, drumming, guitar work, stage and film acting, script writing as well as storytelling. If his sentiments are anything to go by, then he won’t be retiring anytime soon. “I don’t feel any old at 60 years . . . I am energetic and strong and still feel like the same Oliver who was one year old once and is going to have many more years,” he said. TP
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The Parade - Zimbabwe’s Most Read Lifestyle Magazine
February 2013