It was always going to be an almost impossible mission to outdo
Ebenezer-Tiri Munyasha, a track which became a “national anthem” in
music circles last year.
But Togarepi Chivaviro is a bold man. Before the hype stirred by this
blockbuster song — featuring gospel gurus Mechanic Manyeruke, Charles
Charamba, Noel Zembe, Lawrence Haisa, Bethen Pasinawako Ngolomi, Rumbi
Zvirikuzhe and Kudzi Nyakudya — had settled, he was back in the studio
crafting its successor.
Mhepo Inoperekedza — Tiri Munyasha 2 was launched at a colourful
ceremony attended by several parliamentarians including Deputy Speaker,
Mabel Chinomona and Nelson Chamisa in Harare on Wednesday night.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (Nacz) director, Elvas Mari, guest
of honour, Philip Chiyangwa, Open University vice-chancellor, Primrose
Kurasha and her husband Jameson, worshippers Josh Kays and Takesure
Zama, as well as Mathias Mhere were also in attendance.
The seven songs on the new eight-track album, which includes an
instrumental, may not knock down the record set by Ebenezer — Tiri
Munyasha, but they are proof Chivaviro has set a new trajectory in a
music career that — even 10 albums later — had been fledgling, according
to his executive producer, Allen Dzobo.
Music expert, Fred Zindi told the gathering that when he first heard
the song last year, it “knocked me out” and he felt it was “an
incredible tune”.
Piracy
The professor also said music piracy could only be countered by a watertight marketing strategy including launching albums and making them more available to the market.
“I told Jah Prayzah and his manager to continue launching albums because that’s the only way to market music and curb piracy,” he said.
Mari, the Nacz director, implored legislators, who attended the launch, to help the council fight the scourge of piracy, through which musicians were being ripped off.
He called on the government to facilitate the setting up of a copyright tribunal as provided for in the Copyright Act to specifically deal with issues of piracy, which has become the bane of many an artiste.
“The problem with the current system is that sometimes even the magistrates don’t even understand why they have to try someone for ‘burning’ because they are also probably listening to music copied illegally,” Mari said.
He said it was these same artistes to which legislators appealed for votes during elections and the least they could do in return was to ensure that their work was protected from pirates and they could earn something substantial from their labour.
“When you get these votes, may you please support these people. They don’t need your money, but they need facilities where they can work — not stadiums, but facilities where they can have their works recorded and produced,” Mari said.
He said it was time that music was viewed as an income generating project and called for the setting up of cultural centres in Harare and other cities that can be used by artistes.
BY PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI
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| Picture By Life Moments Media. Rev T.T Chivaviro. |
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| Picture By Life Moments Media. Bethany Pasinawako Ngolomi. |
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| Picture By Life Moments Media. Zimbabwe Parliarment Deputy Speaker, Mabel Chinomona. |
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| Picture By Life Moments Media. Matthias Mhere. |
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| Picture By Life Moments Media. Allan Dzobo, Rev Chivaviro's manager. |
Piracy
The professor also said music piracy could only be countered by a watertight marketing strategy including launching albums and making them more available to the market.
“I told Jah Prayzah and his manager to continue launching albums because that’s the only way to market music and curb piracy,” he said.
Mari, the Nacz director, implored legislators, who attended the launch, to help the council fight the scourge of piracy, through which musicians were being ripped off.
He called on the government to facilitate the setting up of a copyright tribunal as provided for in the Copyright Act to specifically deal with issues of piracy, which has become the bane of many an artiste.
“The problem with the current system is that sometimes even the magistrates don’t even understand why they have to try someone for ‘burning’ because they are also probably listening to music copied illegally,” Mari said.
He said it was these same artistes to which legislators appealed for votes during elections and the least they could do in return was to ensure that their work was protected from pirates and they could earn something substantial from their labour.
“When you get these votes, may you please support these people. They don’t need your money, but they need facilities where they can work — not stadiums, but facilities where they can have their works recorded and produced,” Mari said.
He said it was time that music was viewed as an income generating project and called for the setting up of cultural centres in Harare and other cities that can be used by artistes.
BY PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI
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