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Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent—
A documentary titled “And the Beat Goes On” that explores the lives of popular musicians and their children that are also in the art has been launched in Harare. The documentary looks at the different generations of musicians, exploring inspiration and juxtaposing their music products. In case of late musicians, the filmmakers interviewed people that worked with the artistes and their children who have managed to take over their parents’ art.

They managed to document the life of the late Andy Brown, his daughter Ammara; the late Leonard Dembo and his son Tendai; the late Safiriyo Madzikatire – better known as Mukadota – and his son Elijah; and Mechanic Manyeruke and his son Guspy Warrior.

Producer of the documentary Tari Mtetwa said the documentary would preserve the history of local music so that next generations and aspiring musicians would learn from the yesteryear music gurus.

“We managed to launch the documentary and we are happy that people gave it a warm welcome. It shows our people are eager to learn more about our music and its history,” said Mtetwa.

“There are a lot of musicians who have contributed to the development of the industry and there is need for us to document them through their children and people that were close to them. We can learn more about the parents through their children and partners.”

Mtetwa said they were encouraged by the way people appreciated the work done.

“At the launch, people came in their numbers and it was full house. We are happy with such response and it gave us power to work on more similar documentaries. It will be one of the films that are being shown at the current International Images Film Festival for Woman and it is a milestone for the documentary to be shown on such a big festival,” he said.

Various children of musicians have taken over their parents’ art and there have been mixed fortunes among the new generation. While others are doing well to keep legacies created by their parents, others have been struggling to make a mark on the local scene.

Suluman Chimbetu is, so far, the most successful heir to music. He has managed to take over his father’s music while he has also done well with his own hits.

Tendai Dembo is still to make his own hits, but he has been consistent with shows where his father’s songs are popular. His separation from brother Morgan is probably a sign of the struggle he has been going through to keep Barura Express alive.

Guspy Warrior decided to take a different route from his father Mechanic Manyeruke.

It is a contrasting affair in the family since the father is a gospel guru while the son chose to follow the current Zimdancehall wave. Guspy Warrior’s move was initially met by serious criticism until the father and son both explained how they have different tastes.

Ammara has slightly diverted from Andy Brown’s music and brought her own flair. The experience she got as her father’s backing vocalist nurtured her and she is slowly making a name in the industry.

Other children of musicians that are following their parents’ footsteps include Peter Moyo, Tryson Chimbetu, Douglas Chimbetu, Simba Chibadura, Biggie Tembo (Jnr), Peter Moyo, Selmor Mtukudzi and her husband Tendai Manatsa among others.