Not so often does a 21- year-old sing about love and make sense. Most musicians from this age group sing about fantasies that are far from the cruel realities of love.
BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
But Pamhidzai Tracy Mbirimi (pictured), appears to be a rare breed of a young musician, who is ready to breathe life into marriages.
Nicknamed Pah Chihera, the musician has been rocking the airwaves with her new album titled Runonzi Rudo.
The six-track album has a dominant theme of love, while also touching on a few social issues.
It is the title track Runonzi Rudo, which has had especially those in tumultuous relationships thinking.
In the track, she takes a modest yet calculated approach and pronounces how matters of the heart should be taken.
The song immediately prescribes patience as a virtue that nurtures love.
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She makes sure to rubbish trivial factors that have always hindered love, and the song is particularly aided by a seemingly dancehall drum jag riding upon the leading Afro Jazz sound. The sky is the limit for Pah Chihera
The producer of Pah Chihera’s debut album, Blessing Masanga, has to be commended for the exploration of sounds, with the use of a trumpet at the end of Runonzi Rudo earning top marks.
Murume Wangu comes second on the album, as the artist graduates to another level of reasoning.
The song portrays a defiant woman who fights for her marriage, despite her abusive and cunning in-laws.
The musician goes as far as to declare war on the in-laws, particularly the talkative sister in-law whom she regards as a failure in marriage.
On the next track Musavadadire Varume, she continues preaching the gospel of realism, with a stance that could easily stir a hornet’s nest when she suggests that women cannot live without men.
She also seems to become subservient, urging women to be submissive, while at the same time subscribing to what others have called the natural laws.
Still on the subject of love the next track Ringe Ringe is advice from a mother to a son, urging him to be clean.
Wakandishora is rather disappointing in its introduction, starting off with a familiar beat borrowed from the late Prince Tendai’s song Character.
The song touches on hurried decisions and regrets, while the last track Musaite Mheremhere takes a somewhat laid-back approach slowing down in tempo. The song is a plea to siblings to desist from engaging in violent feuds. Growing up listening to Tracy Chapman music, Pah Chihera started off as a model although, the passion for singing even tually took over.
Holistically, the album is a good piece of music worth exploring, although it is important for the musician to keep learning as she still exhibits traits of inexperience.
Her single backing vocalist worked well as he provided the much needed contrast. She however needs to improve on the variation of her music.
Pah Chihera was born on March 22 1991, in Harare as a last child in a family of four girls and one boy.
Her father was a police officer at Glen Norah Police Station and she had to move to Kuwadzana Extension after his tragic death when she was in grade five. Her father’s love for Chapman appears to have influenced her sound.
Her debut, Runonzi Rudo looks destined to be propelling her to greater heights.
In October she is expected to perform at the Sunbird Sand Festival in Malawi, where she will share the stage with the likes of Big Nuz of SA among other top African groups.
In Zimbabwe she has performed at Book Café, Jameson Hotel’s Beer Engine, as well as many Girl Child Network events.
Starting off as a backing vocalist for her uncle Prince Kudakwashe Musarurwa, she views her album as a breakthrough of a long-defined career.
“I am satisfied with the album and I am happy with the support that my family and the music lovers are giving me as a debutant,” said Pah Chihera.
