HARARE – Prime time viewing on ZBC TV in the 90s became a must for many largely because of hilarious comedies like Simon “Mutirowafanza” Shumba’s Bhachi Rangu. He became popular for his deep wasu accent and humour which he flaunted on each episode on national television. But according to rising gospel singer Evelyn Mhaga —…
LONDON – A recent study shockingly revealed that Africans have spent over $7 billion on weaves and wigs. Statistics show that out of every 10 women, 7 wear fake hair. Last year, I heard for the first time about Zimbabwe-born natural hair consultant Lani Masuku who is also the chief executive officer Phro Group. At…
HARARE – Award-winning ZimPraise has lined up a DVD of old Shona and Ndebele hymns in a bid to re-awaken interest in these ancient church songs. ZimPraise chief executive officer Joseph Madziyire told the Daily News that the project, to be undertaken early next month, has been necessitated by the decreased singing of old hymns…
HARARE – Abra Simzz, whose Abra Records produced Jamaican star Red Rat’s song ‘Rise Up Zimbabwe,’ is delighted with the progress his music stable is making on the international stage. The popular producer, who was born Simukai Mandizvidzva, believes the partnership Abra Records entered into with international record label Patron House Productions will spawn sustained…
HARARE – Members of late sungura music star Leonard Dembo’s family are reportedly in the process of suing South Africa-based musician Mitchell Jambo who allegedly made an unauthorised release of the Chitekete singer’s DVD. Tendai Dembo, the son of the late celebrated musician who now leads his father’s former backing band the Barura Express, confirmed…
HARARE – Playing the mbira has kept Canada-based musician Evelyn Mukwedeya in touch with her Zimbabwean roots. Mukwedeya’s mbira-playing prowess has enabled her to create links with internationally acclaimed artistes in Canada from her base in Toronto where she has lived for over a decade. “Being a mbira player has been a big part of…
HARARE – Former Pengaudzoke producer Peter Muparutsa says Daiton Somanje’s death has robbed Zimbabwe of a musician who was instrumental in creating a unique brand of sungura music. Daiton succumbed to meningitis on Tuesday evening at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals at the age of 49. The Mutare-born Muparutsa produced several albums by Pengaudzoke, co-led by…
HARARE – Nhimbe Trust, in partnership with Pamberi Trust and supported by the British Council and Africalia, will launch the Funding Analysis – Modes of Engagement Research Report – conducted and written by Melissa Eveleigh. The launch will be held at the Art Market @ HIFA on April 30. The Report explores opportunities, threats and…
BULAWAYO – ZimPraise, the country’s leading choral group, is set to perform at MegaFest in Dallas, Texas in August at the invitation of televangelist Bishop TD Jakes. The three-day festival that will run from August 20 to 22 is expected to attract more than 85 000 attendees from more than 30 countries. Tendai Zhou, the…
HARARE – This week Zimbabwe remembers legendary sungura musician Leonard “Musorowenyoka” Dembo who died 19 years ago on April 9 aged just 37. Dembo, widely regarded by many as the best sungura musician ever, is perhaps best remembered for his 1991 album Chitekete which sold over 100 000 copies in just three months. The title…
