By Sandra Maricho
GWERU-based gospel musician Respina Patai, aka Mai Patai, has implored government to act on piracy to create a viable local music industry.
The Voice of Prophecy lead vocalist said it was disheartening for musicians to realise nothing out of a popular album or song.
“As musicians, we have been robbed of our money for a long time. We are urging government, through the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture, to come up with policies and laws that restrict piracy,” she said.
“l would like to see our government enact laws that put an end to illegal selling of music by those not authorised to do so by artistes.
“We face many challenges as we produce music, but someone will just come and sell our music for a song.”
Born in 1978, Amai Patai is married to musician and preacher Ephraim and the couple has four children.
She began her music career at a tender age, singing in school and church choirs before she became a backing vocalist at The Voice of Prophecy, which is fronted by her husband Ephraim.
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After being convinced by her husband, Mai Patai released her debut album titled Makanaka, which carried the hit Mazambara in 2004 and six years later she dropped Samulena.
Last year she marked her return to the music scene with the release of Punish the Devil, two years after battling an illness. Two songs — Anokomborera and Ndinodavira — from the album did well, winning third and ninth position respectively on the Coca-Cola Top 50 charts on Radio Zimbabwe, making her the first female musician in the history of the charts to be placed among the top three.
Mai Patai said she was happy with the response she was getting from her fans and she promised another album this year and a DVD for Punish the Devil.
“My music is original and it is meant to minister the Word of God. I realised that l hadbeen starving fans during those years l took a break, but not anymore.” she said.
“I am promising more music and videos this year.” She and her husband are members of the Apostolic Faith Mission Church.
