New artists set to Go beyond borders

Wide World Artists takes Zimbabwean Music beyond borders!!

By Michael Chipato

A compilation album by upcoming Zimbabwean musicians has been released. The album called Zimbabwe Today a debut album of exciting new record label, Wide World Artists. Arrays of artists are set to benefit from the international this space that has been created by Wide World Artists.

Being successful in the music business involves the merge of talent and being at the right place at the right time and meeting to right people at the right time. Zimbabwean upcoming artists face promising international exposure if the opportunity that has been accorded to them by this initiative is taken to the next level in the next ten years.

Musician and filmmaker Jimmy Collins who is the founder of Wide World Artists said ‘Zimbabwe Today’ is the first major release from the new world music record label, Wide World Artists’ in its bid to provide opportunities for musicians from developing countries by bringing their music to international markets. ‘Wide World Artists stands for social change and supports a variety of initiatives, including Tariro: Hope and Health for Zimbabwe's Orphans, which will receive a portion of all proceeds from Zimbabwe Today.’

The Zimbabwean musical landscape has gone through a great revolution;
thanks to the popular local talent promotional era which saw the rise of urban grooves and other millennium and post colonial musical genres. The colloquial saying that, ‘local is lacker’ cannot be ignored in this musical development. There has however been a gap on the marketing sector where only the established artists have enjoyed the large chunk of international business whilst the musical freshmen have suffered promotional sterility.

Great and iconic musical figures like Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, and Tongai Moyo are posited for retirement at one time or another and Zimbabwe must not watch music collapse, (not to mean the retirement of what they have produced-that definitely lives on even beyond the grave!!) many things have collapsed but music as the voice of reason and a conscience of the people must live on in all its varieties. The diverse nature of the compilation which features songs in English and Shona, has a pleasant mixture of styles ranging from reggae, traditional and urban grooves.

Traditional and household names on the musical plateau need unique successors and challengers to create brands that can take people through continuous years of entertainment and artistic celebration. Alexio’s Shaina is inspirational and The Land by Hope laconically explores the essence of identity. Shaina, by Alexio has top of the Zimbabwean charts for over six months...Incredible!!Romantic nostalgia, history and philosophy are exhumed in these fresh tunes in conventional style. Selmor Mtukudzi pelts a proverbial masterpiece that takes on a moral route that adults have a responsibility for the future; leaders have a responsibility in the manner those around them are shaped.

At a time where cyber life has taken over all forms of business transactions, this first compilation of popular Zimbabwean music shall be released over 10 years through online music stores like iTunes and Amazon. This can fully be
utilised to promote these new artists for income generating opportunities offered by the electronic marketplace.

The aim of the project is basically for promoting artists who are stifled and muscled out of musical battlefield - rings as a result of their freshness on the scene and financial constraints; these elements must never undermine the skills displayed in their artistic work.

Exposure stands as the key goal using online distribution and promotion WWA is set to bring young and upcoming artists to international audiences. ‘WWA hopes to create a community where any artist can succeed, based on the quality of their work, not their country of origin or economic means’. Artists in developing countries have been chocked and resultantly suffocated from lack of economic means especially in Zimbabwe where poverty and political upheaval has stunted development and growth for quite some time. This is a sad concept that artists must continue to explore through writing, song and theatre if artists are to be true mirrors of society.

Zimbabwe Today features eleven of the top young artists and bands from Zimbabwe, including world-famous Bongo Love, Selmor Mtukudzi (daughter of the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi), Alexio Kawara singer of Shaina, Willis Wataffi (of Afrika Revenge), Tendai Manatsa (son of Zexie Manatsa), Victor Kunonga and Transit Crew, amongst others. The compilation is an artistic exhibition of Zimbabwean talent in its diverse genres and linguistic variables which stands as mark of cultural wealth though expressed in a contemporary style.

Produced by musician -cum -scholar James Collins, and ethnomusicologist Jennifer Kyker, the album was officially released on December 15th, 2009. For purchase information and track samples, please visit: www.wideworldartists.com