Sungura prodigy Romeo Gasa said he has reinvented his beat to create an authentic, modern day sound that appeals to people of different music tastes.
By Staff Writer
Gasa, who fronts a youthful sungura outfit Extra Valembe, said his yet-to-be-named forthcoming album would divert from the original music beat. He claims to have taken a different path from the sungura of the Ephraim Joe era.
“As Zimbabweans, we are identified by sungura, but I cannot be seen this time playing the same old sungura like those years of the Sungura Boys,” Gasa told The Standard Style last week.
“You will find that the beat in the forthcoming album will divert a bit from the original sungura, but that powerful bass guitar is still distinct. The other notable thing in my new offering is that I have embraced female voices in my music, which is rare with sungura musicians,” he said.
Gasa, who has in the past been accused of being an Alick Macheso copycat, said his new album, which will be released early next month, was one of his best projects.
“This is the best Romeo Gasa project which I believe will shake the local music scene. I have put my thoughts together and worked with veteran producer Bothwell Nyamhondera, who showed me how to do it the proper way,” Gasa said.
The musician, who has lined-up a series of shows during the week of his album release to promote it, said he was not deterred by people trying to “pull him down”.
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“It is a fact that there are some artists and promoters who have a tendency of looking down upon other artists. We have been shunned at certain clubs, music galas or shows because someone does not like you or does not like your music. It is something that is rampant in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Famed for his song Simbi Hombe of his 2014 album Pin Code, the young musician believes it is high time musicians sang to the same tune.
“We need to support one another and collaborate where possible. These ‘wars’ should stop at once if our industry is to improve,” he said.
Last year, Gasa released his second album Mupedza Nyaya which he said received fair airplay on national radio stations.
“I am happy the album did very well and got fair airplay on local radio stations. I am working on a DVD album which comprises songs from my two previous projects and the forthcoming album. I am shooting it and before the end of the year, it will be on the market,” he said.
