Chimurenga musician wakes up sleepy Glendale

Standard People
BY MASIMBA BIRIWASHA It is not often that you hear of Glendale — a small town approximately 60km north-east of Harare — but 26-year-old Tichaona Madyiwa is bucking the trend and might soon breathe life into the sleepy town through chimurenga music.

The fact that Glendale does not have a vibrant nightlife did not deter Madyiwa from pursuing his dream in music. He said that he received a lot of encouragement from popular musician Somandla Ndebele who kept telling him not to abandon his passion.

Recently, Madyiwa launched a seven-track debut album titled Vakadzi Vevanhu. The album, which was produced and arranged by the veteran music producer, Mono Mukundu, not only highlights Madyiwa’s talent but that chimurenga musical acumen is still very much alive in Zimbabwe.Some of the tracks on the album include Tipeiwo Dariro, Ndambakuudzwa, Ndakamuramba, Maidei, Nyarai kuchema Gibson, Ndakakutadzira as well as the title track Vakadzi Vevanhu.

“It’s an album that teaches and provides advice about general life issues. Most people are doing a lot of wrong nowadays, so the album seeks to make people cautious about their lives,” said Madyiwa in an interview with StandardLife & Style.

“I have been writing songs since 2004 but I had no intention to record. But in 2009, I changed my mind and felt that I could join the many performing artists in the industry through recording the compositions,” he added.

He said that he received a lot of assistance from his uncle who plays the bass guitar on the album as well as Mukundu who played the lead guitar.Madyiwa said he has done live shows in partnership with Ndebele, Kapfupi and Leonard Zhakata in order to polish his voice projection and stage skills.

“I never had the intention to be a musician, but when I started to play mbira, people encouraged me to form a group so that I could take my music to a higher level. I established a band and we played at functions in Glendale, and people appreciated our work. They inspired us to get serious with our music,” said Madyiwa.

Madyiwa said that the lyrical content of his music is influenced by what he observes in people’s day-to-day lives. He said that the mbira formed the heart and soul of his music and that he grew up listening to chimurenga music which influenced his sound.

“I grew up listening to Thomas Mapfumo, Pio Farai Macheka and Brian Mteki and I got to fully understand that type of music. I used to try to sing like the chimurenga greats but I have now formed my own identity,” he added.

“I promise that if people give me a chance, I will not let them down. I am going to continue producing quality work. My passion will never die.”