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Mathew Masinge Entertainment Reporter
Sensational Jazz artiste Vee Mukarati has released a rendition cover song of Bob Marley’s ‘Zimbabwe’ that the late legendary Jamaican artiste sang at Rufaro Stadium on the eve of Zimbabwe’s Independence in 1980. The song comes at a time when the world commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Reggae artiste, but now has a Jazz approach different from the original Reggae. In an interview with The Herald Entertainment, the former Mokoomba singer said he has lived up to his dream of imitating Bob Marley.

“I have always been a big fan of Bob Marley since I was growing up, I have always wanted to work on the song but never really had the time to do so until now when his people are celebrating his 70th anniversary and 35 years since his performance in Zimbabwe. The timing was finally just right to release the tribute,” he said.

He said it should be paramount that artistes who contribute to national activities be appreciated.

“I think the most desirable thing from any artiste is to be heard and it is an even more humbling honour when people appreciate your art so much that they make an effort to learn from it or reinterpret it in their own way. I also took time to learn from the song, things like how to structure the theme and linking the voice with the instruments,” he said.

Mukarati who is set to perform at the upcoming HIFA’s Lays Global Stage on May 3 said he wishes that his career lives up to that of the Legendary Jamaican.

“The song was about freedom and liberation from oppression in Zimbabwe, it was an anthem to the liberation war heroes and has a timeless message that continues to inspire the need for change and growth within Zimbabwe and Africa for generations to come. As an artiste I have longed to leave such a legacy for my fans so that where ever I am they continue to hear the message,” he said.

He is already working on the video. “Plans for the video release are already underway with my creative director who is discussing with a number of stakeholders who have shown interest to team up with me in the video,” he said.

The artiste has started releasing free music on Sound Cloud since February this year as a way to capture more fan base. He will be performing at Miombo Magic festival at the end of May, has a France tour later on in the year where he is going to work on a number of collaborations in Paris towards the release of his new album which is due for release later in the year.