BY STYLE REPORTER
His last offering Umuntu Uyingozi was out of this world and endeared him to a diverse audience, thanks to his competence to sing in a number of languages.
Congo Brazzaville-based sungura musician Njabulo Nyoni bounced back, this time with another gem of an album titled Izitha Zami (My Enemies).
Popularly referred to as Igwee in Congo Brazzaville because of his West African way of dressing, Nyoni describes his music as a blend of African beats.
He prefers to call his genre Deep African Sounds [DAS], which is a blend of rhumba, kanindo and traditional African sounds.
Izitha Zami is Nyoni’s third project which was launched on a local radio station in December last year. It carries seven tracks.
“I released the album on December 11 last year and I am impressed it is doing well on a number of radio stations in Zimbabwe where it is getting rave airplay. In the album I sing about my personal life experiences and do some social commentary on people’s lives in general,” Nyoni said.
“It was launched live on National FM and fans welcomed it as evidenced by their feedback during the launch. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we could not do a live performance, but we will fill the gap as we are working on the videos of the song.”
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The Tsholotsho-born musician, who claims to have penned more than 100 unrecorded songs, said due to his rural upbringing, his music was inspired by music legends such as Shepherd Musekiwa, Zex Manatsa, Leonard Dembo, John Chibadura, Khiama Boys, Ndux Malax and Solomon Skhuza.
“We were exposed to the music of these legends and their beats became the bedrock of DAS,” Nyoni said.
Songs on the album that was produced at Jabulani Ndlovu’s Trutone Studios in Harare include Tshintsh Ukwenza, Iskhalazo Sami , Bantu Bomdeni, Bayangizonda, Zimbi Izindaba, Mfaz’ Omuhle Kangaka and Vane Godo.
On the album Umuntu Uyingozi, Nyoni sings in different languages, but on his latest production, he settled for two languages — IsiNdebele and Shona — which are mainly spoken in Zimbabwe.
“I am more of a social commentator and my messages are all about perseverance during times like this when we are having natural disasters and societal issues to deal with,” Nyoni said.
“The track Tshintsh Ukwenza is warning to a friend advising him to change his behaviour and find other means to tackle his issues. I also encourage him to even seek divine help from the likes of Major 1, who happens to be [Prophet Shepherd] Bushiri.
“The song Iskhalazo Sami is my plea to God to have mercy on me as enemies are disturbing my life left, right and centre, while on the track Bantu Bomdeni, I was pondering on possible solutions for families to let the cat out of the bag if there are issues like ngozi (avenging sprit) that would need appeasement. ”
On the song Bayangizonda, Nyoni outlines how he is hated by those that are close to him and their wish to see him dead, while on track number five Zimbi Izindaba, the musician sings on how people are lamenting on the state of the economy. There is nothing to celebrate amid living on false hope.
“In the song Mfaz’ Omuhle Kangaka, I ask God why a beautiful woman would get old and struggle to get married, while Vane Godo is an expression of grief in which people try to prevent me from marrying the love of my life. I sing that despite all the pitfalls, I will do everything possible to get her,” Nyoni said.
Nyoni did his primary education at Tshino Primary School in Tsholotsho before he went to Kezi for his high school.
He said Alick Macheso inspired him most and believes the Madhawu-hitmaker is in a class of his own.
Ndux Malax and Solomon Skhuza, whose music was popular when he was growing up, played a role in his career.
Nyoni’s backing group is called Rising African Stars.
