INTERNATIONAL Afro-Pop musician, Que Montana, has surprised many following announcements of his grand return on the global musical stage, armed with Afrivo Rhythms, a sizzling and sixth album.
The album was released on July 4.
Speaking from his Manchester City office, on the highly promoted 11-track album, which carries tracks such as Go Big or Go Home, Kumauro, Sahwira, Vanatsire, Ngwara and Sarura Wako, Que Montana, described the catalogue as personal.
“This is not just an album. Its my story, my soul and my sonic vision for Africa’s place in the world of music,” said Que Montana.
“Afrivo Rhythms is a futuristic musical catalogue for present and tomorrow people.
“The album integrates science and technology, merging the ignored Afrocentric roots which inspired all men, modernity, men’s present day into the abyss, an unknown future.”
He added: “Afrivo Rhythms is a bold, genre-fusing body of work that masterfully and blends ancestral African rhythm with futuristic production.”
Mixed and mastered using contemporary technologies, the album is an illustration of the realities and possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI) today and beyond.
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“I am not here to chase trends, but to shape the future I want the world to feel what it means to be an African, bold and free,” Que Montana explained.
The Zimbabwean musician said preparations for the album started when he made a personal decision to pursue a low-profile lifestyle, off media, he found himself work on a new body of art while he thought that his efforts would be channeled at perfecting his art.
“Regardless, of a demanding private life, that required undivided attention, I never stopped playing music, yet I opted to balance my life by engaging myself in other projects away from the highly revered Que Montana project,” he said.
“It also meant, that I would slow space the traditional way of publishing and promoting Que Montana music, which was also hampered by financial restrictions at the backdrop of changing tides in the Zimbabwean music industry at the time.
“And these changes influenced the way we approached business,” said the Sara Ugarike hit maker.
Comparable to other commodities musical standards can fall when economic situation in a country collapse.
Similarly to the world of art, when Zimbabwean economic state took a down turn, it contributed to the bumpy interchange that blew away promises that the industry had started earlier shown.
“A time came, when a lot of money would be spent in production and promotions. Musicians worked hard to create quality music to be played on radio unfortunately in the end all this money would not be recouped back. It's at that time when many lost hope, while others fought hard for their careers,” said Que Montana.
Que Montana now lives with his family in Stoke-On-Trent in the United Kingdom.
He started his musical career, at the age of seven in Harare.
Growing up with the art, he was privileged to be mentored by seasoned musicians such as the late Andy Brown, Tanga weKwa Sando and members from the now defunct musical outfit Afrika Revenge.
His musical legacy, is composed of six albums namely Neo Vector (2005), Sweet Pain (2007), Untamed (2010), Strings Attached (2012), Sara Ugarike (2018) and Afrivo Rhythms (2025).
