The sweltering heat often typical in Uzumba, Mashonaland East province, could not deter a group of youths who were on the dance floor at the veranda of a bottle store at Nhakiwa business centre.
By JAIROS SAUNYAMA
The youths exhibited great dancing skills such that any passersby could not help, but marvel.
it turned out that it was Baba Harare’s song The Reason Why, which has become a national anthem, that kept the youths on their feet and the song was played encores as per demand.
Baba Harare’s (real name Braveman Chizvino Mawanza) latest album Minamato YaRasta is doing wonders on the local music scene with the song The Reason Why, undoubtedly going places.
After a turbulent start last year with his debut album Chimwana Changu, which he released after leaving award-winning artiste Jah Prayzah stable, Baba Harare’s album Minamato YaRasta seems to be prophetic as he has turned out to be the most sought-after musician at the moment.
“I wasn’t expecting such a reception. Just like the title, my prayers were answered. The album is doing great,” Baba Harare told The Standard Style last week.
The hit track has become a national anthem in kombis, at weddings and parties, among other social gatherings, while the video of the song is being played frequently on national television.
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The Reason Why is a jiti party song that tells the story of a girl who is refusing to entertain a love proposal from a potential suitor.
The other songs off the 14-track album that are rocking the airwaves are Usasiya Moto and Usasiya Zvinonaka.
The 29-year old, who hails from Masvingo, said the criticism he got when he left Third Generation Band strengthened him and this was fuelled by the low performing standards of his debut album.
“I have put hard work and God did the rest. Moreover, the criticism I got from the first album strengthened me and I vowed to release a better album,” he said.
“The first album had sound issues and people could not accept the new beat I had introduced. I corrected that with the help of Maselo, my producer. It was a learning process.” Baba Harare’s success can also be attributed to his manager Filda “Mama Philo” Muchabaiwa. Incidentally, Muchabaiwa handled Jah Prayzah’s affairs during the early stages of his career.
“I am happy to have Mama Philo, she is a great manager,” said Baba Harare.
Muchabaiwa showered praises on the guitar virtuoso and attributed the musician’s success to hard work.
“The song [The Reason Why] is trending big time. During live shows, Baba Harare gives in to the audience’s demands and repeats it oftenly. His first album did not do well, but surprisingly, the people are now asking about it. At shows they ask him to perform songs from the first album,” she said.
“The most important thing is that the boy [Baba Harare] is energetic and a hard worker. He deserves all the success.”
With Jah Prayzah now shifting to the global stage, the advent of Baba Harare could be a blessing for the local music scene.
In a bid to cater for a wider audience, reggae music lovers can fall in love with the song Takusuwa — dedicated to the late South African reggae star Lucky Dube.
Baba Harare started playing the guitar at a tender age, but made a name for himself after he joined the Third Generation Band in 2009. In 2017, he made surprised all and sundry when he left Jah Prayzah for a solo career.
Before, the dreadlocked musician was part of the little-known sungura outfit Sigma Boys.
“Kumusoro kumusoro, kumusoro ichinaka, nzimbe inobvira kumusoro ichinaka…,” the youths at Nhakiwa sang along as the old hi-fi blurred.
Could this be the turning point for Baba Harare? Or he is just a one-hit-wonder? But for now, his prayers have been answered and it is now up to him to keep the momentum going.
