Zimpapers Logo

First Farai performing at his album launch

Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
SUNGURA musician First Farai has made a passionate plea to the relevant authorities to facilitate a meeting between President Mugabe and local musicians. Speaking during the launch of his 10th album titled “Fantastic Farai-Ubwada”, at the City Sports Bar in Harare on Wednesday night, the musician said only President Mugabe could listen to the musicians’ problems that had remained unsolved for a long time.

“As musicians we would like to meet the President and tell him the challenges we are facing. We just want dinner or a simple breakfast meeting with him where we would give him what we think is the solution to the scourge of piracy. We are tired of sending people who act as go-betweens and never give us a feedback,” he said.

First Farai also took time to explain the title of his album, “Fantastic Farai-Ubwada”.
“I no longer sweat about album names because this is my 10th album. Everyone knows that I am fantastic. Ubwada means delicious in our Korekore language. In other words, I am saying the album is sweet to the ear,” he said.

Farai said he was no longer producing music just to add the numbers, but to fight for top spot with the giants in the music industry.
“Small boys have come into the industry and are now commanding huge crowds. I know my worth and where I should be in terms of status, so this is not just another album so that I can say I have 10 albums under my belt — this is a serious contender for album of the year.

He added that he had matured as an artiste and had since worked on his mistakes, which makes him confident of his new effort.
Directing his plea to National Arts Council director Elvas Mari, who was the guest of honour, First Farai said the musicians were reaping nothing from their sweat because of piracy.

The NAC boss said he was equally concerned about piracy that had become a national scourge, and urged artistes to unite in fighting the scourge.
“It is high time artistes join hands in fighting piracy because it is taking our arts industry backwards. It pains to note that most of the artistes are not reaping from the sweat of their work,” he said.

On his new album First Farai featured several artistes, notably Romeo Gasa, Progress Chipfumo and Somandla Ndebele to give it a competitive edge.

Among the musicians who attended the launch were Gasa, Chipfumo and Suluman Chimbetu, who donated the PA system used during the album launch.

“As musicians we must support each other. First Farai is my friend and I saw it fit to help him. This shows that we are united in the industry,” said Suluman.

First Farai started his career after clinching the top award at the International Music Crossroads finals held in Tanzania in 2002.
Determined to make it, he started working on a number of projects and his breakthrough came when he released his album “Simba Nacho”, that did well with the song “Secret Number”.

The sungura musician has played at different forums including national galas where he commanded a huge following.
Born 36 years ago in Chinhoyi, he has several albums to his name – “Pahasha”, “Dingatinga”, “Ngingongingo”, “Simba Racho”, “Tiritose Mundima Machinda”, “Zvipo NeTariro”, “Zvandakuitirai Izvi” and “Paidamoyo”.