Dino Mudondo shifts to dancehall

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Musician Dino Mudondo can either be described as a dynamic artist or fickle one that cannot stick to one genre

Musician Dino Mudondo can either be described as a dynamic artist or fickle one that cannot stick to one genre — if his recent claims are anything to go by.

BY TATENDA KUNAKA

Since 2002 when he introduced himself to mainstream music with his album Makorokoto that carried songs Chirangano, Makoi Koi and Jatropha, the musician has always evolved to suit new and different genres with each release.

What is more, in the years that followed, he has always appeared to seek relevance through controversy.

Although the musician denied there would be a focus shift from his genre, he said he had been singing dancehall music as a way of tapping into the vast majority that follows dancehall music in the country.

“Chanting, one of the common styles of dancehall has always been part of my music, so I cannot really say I am starting to sing dancehall music now,” said the diminutive musician.

“I have always mixed reggae and rhumba where I derived the term Rasta Kwasa and the reggae part in some instances has had dancehall chants.

“But now we have to adjust and conform to the dictates of time and tap into a younger crowd that is known to love dancehall.”

The past two years have seen dancehall music taking over on the local showbiz scene, rocking households, dominating charts and being played in commuter omnibuses.

The dreadlocked artiste said he was working on a dancehall album that would see the release of two singles Pahasha and Nhonga Jaivhi to be released next week.

“These two singles are off my upcoming dancehall album that carries 12 tracks,” he said.

Some of the tracks on the album include Hiriri Hiriri, One Changu Chimother, Kujoza and Return Ticket among others.

Mudondo became a household name a decade ago, when he produced hits such as Maidei, Chirangano, Paida Mwoyo and Rudo Rwechokwadi, among others.

The musician has 15 albums to his name starting with Makorokoto in 2002 to the latest Ndakupihwa naMwari released at the end of last year.