Mapfumo’s UK reparation performance!!
By: Michael Chipato
The methodical and articulate Oliver Mutukudzi took to stage alongside the proverbially fertile Chimurenga guru Thomas Mapfumo at the Athena in Leicester over the weekend.
The two paired for performances that marked their legendary musical profiles in Zimbabwe and beyond. Over 1200 fans thronged the Athena for a rare treat by Zimbabwe’s two great artists at a gig rightly dubbed “Zimbabwe’s Finest Superstars Reloaded’’.
Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited this time made it to stage after last year’s gigs ‘that were never’ on a reparation mission. Anticipation and a sense of mystery gripped Mapfumo’s followers as they dreaded the unthinkable idea of another non performance by the Chimurenga guru. Mapfumo took the chance to apologize and reassured his fans that ‘we are sorry about what happened last time and are happy to be here’ as he took fans on some lyrical indulgence. Tracks like ‘Pfumvu paruzeva’ and ‘Moyo wangu’ continued to appeal to all unlimitedly.
Mapfumo, Jayaguru as he is referred to proved that he has not reached musical menopause .Dressed ‘fashionably ‘ in a ‘Weedies’ T-shirt and funky jeans he was ‘excited’ about the show that unpacked Chimurenga musical bullets from his wide reservoir of artistic repertoire. Tell me, who can beat that!!!
Mapfumo and Tuku have reigned in their musical constituencies for the longest time in Zimbabwe’s musical history. Tuku recently bagged 2 awards for his lifetime achievements which demonstrate that his music will never be obsolete. In October, the Women’s University in Africa awarded the 57-year-old singer an honorary Master of Fine Arts degree for his contribution to music. Then on November 7, Mutukudzi travelled to San Diego in the United States, where he was presented with the 2009 Cultural Ambassador Award by Project Concern International. Tuku continued to shine and the quality in his musical arrangement stood unpararrelled. The familiar household tune ‘Imi baba manyanya kurova mai’ set the house on fire as fan’s addictively joined in the Superstar’s perfomance.
After Tuku’s performance, Mapfumo took to stage and mourned about the poor public address system management stating that those at the control desk “Havazivi zvavanoita’.Regardless of this technical let down the singer pelted hit after hit triggering fans into sing along mode. Mapfumo is set to release his next album – Exile for Christmas and this promises to be another masterpiece. Mapfumo has continued to speak out against political corruption and dictatorial power .While Tuku plies his trade from Zimbabwe, Mapfumo continues to unrestrainedly unleash satirical art from exile...watch the space.
Wednesday 2 December 2009
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Michael Chipato
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Media and Social Consultant
Michael delivering a paper- Journalism in a Dictatorship
Michael Chipato adresses EU journalists
Tuku meets Mike in Birmingham 2008
Bvuma!
Backing vocalist for Alick Macheso in Liecester with Mike
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Macheso crew in Liecester 2008
Lord Mayor, Jeff and Tawanda
Exhibition Official launch , Birmingham 08
Michael and Chiwoniso Maraire , an exiled musician. Now lives in the USA
Mike and Chioneso Maraire in Birmingham 08
About Me
- Michael Chipato
- Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
- Michael Chipato is a social and development scientist currently living in Birmingham.Over the years issues pertaining social inequalities, dictatorship, political oppression and gender disparities have been his research focus.As an artist, journalist and academic Michael's philosophy of life is greatly influenced by Léopold Sédar Senghor (9 October 1906 – 20 December 2001) ... a Senegalese poet, politician, and cultural theorist who served as the first president of Senegal (1960–1980). Senghor was the first African to sit as a member of the Académie française. He was also the founder of the political party called the Senegalese Democratic Bloc. He is regarded by many as one of the most important African intellectuals of the 20th century. Senghor created the concept of Négritude, an important intellectual movement that sought to assert and to valorize what they believed to be distinctive African characteristics, values, and aesthetics..He does not condone oppression and violence in any shape or form.
Michael Chipato
Michael interviews Lord Mayor in Birmingham