Stop imitating Jamaicans,’ Mapfumo tell Zimdancehall artistes
Chimurenga music legend Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo says Zimdancehall musicians must stop imitating Jamaican dancehall musicians.
Mukanya, who has often attacked Zimdancehall artistes for lacking originality, will hold two shows on Friday and Saturday in South Africa where he will share the stage with Freeman, Lady Squanda and Kinnah.
“I don’t hate them at all. I am actually happy to share the stage with youngsters but they need to be original. My dream has always been to nurture the youngsters to become musicians of note and surpass the levels that I and my peers reached internationally,” said the Mamvemve singer.
The 70-year-old music legend added that the Zimdancehall artistes must not sing in Jamaican patois.
“Zimdancehall can only grow if the youngsters desist from imitating Jamaican musicians, like patois. We cannot do patois better than the Jamaicans and if you go on the international market with such products they would rather prefer that from Jamaica than ours.
“Therefore, for these youngsters to compete at an international level they should not be copycats of Jamaica or American musicians, rather they should do what people like the late Lucky Dube did. He (Dube) packaged his reggae music in a “South African” flavour and became a hit internationally; he didn’t do patois,” he said.
Mukanya, who will jet into South Africa on Wednesday, also wants to see Zimdancehall artistes focussing on positive messages.
“I am against the foul language that mainly dominates Zimdancehall. I call on them to focus on messages that bring people together; spreading love amongst Zimbabweans,” he said.
Mapfumo’s tour of South Africa will kick off at the Bassline (Newtown) in Johannesburg on September 4 and will continue the next day in Cape Town at the Castle of GoodGope, which is opposite Grand Parade.
According to Mukanya’s spokesperson, Blessing Vava, the 70-year-old music legend, has promised great concerts anchored on his yesteryear classics.
“Fresh from his memorable United Kingdom tour, held early August, Mukanya is promising his fans an electric performance, and will take them back into time. The veteran musician will also play songs from his latest album Danger Zone,” said Vava.
I can see his point yes….be original.