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Andy Muridzo

Tawanda Marwizi : Arts Correspondent

Thursday 5 May is a big day for upcoming musician Andy Muridzo as he shares stage with one of the celebrated entertainers in the country, Alick Macheso, at Dandaro Inn. Dubbed ‘Macheso’s welcome back from South Africa party’, the show is likely to attract hundreds of music lovers and that is another chance for Muridzo to prove his prowess.The day comes barely a week after he shared stage with superstar Oliver Mtukudzi at Joy Centre in Highfield.

That has been the wish of the young musician since the release of his second album, Ngarizhambe – to share the stage with finest entertainers in the country.

“I am very humbled to be part of that gig because it is the wish of every upcoming musician to share stage with such big names in the industry. I am looking forward to the day,” he said.

Several musicians’ successful stories begin with such humble tales.

For Muridzo it has not been easy as he has been labeled Jah Prayzah’s copycat with similarity on the beats and the style.

He tracks this publication down to the time at Musanhi Secondary School where he started composing songs though he had no hopes to have them recorded.

Muridzo’s dream came true in 2014 when he met Jah Prayzah at a United Methodist Church service in Uzumba where the lanky musician offered him help to pursue music as a career.

“We were at a church service in Uzumba when I met Jah Prayzah who then offered to guide me in my career but unfortunately that time I was still at school and we could not say much,” he said.

That was the last time he communicated with Jah Prayzah until he finished school and relocated to Harare.

“Jah Prayzah was happy that I had decided to venture into music full time. I have to be honest he did everything for the recording of my first album called Pakubuda Kwezuva,” he said.

For Muridzo that was the beginning of a career and he would get shows on his own as well as being a curtain raiser for his brother.

As he reflected on how his journey started, the young musician emphasised hard working as the only way to stardom.

“I have learnt a lot from Jah. He is a hard working musician. I am happy that several other musicians including Suluman Chimbetu have helped me. There are people like Patson Chimbodza, Danniel Hapandiwa, Josphat Hozheri who have also helped me a lot,” he said.

Critics say he will do little justice to the music industry if he retraces Jah Prayzah’s footsteps.

Recently he announced plans to have a collaboration with Charma Girl from Botswana.

Interestingly his mentor Jah Prayzah has a song with the Motswana singer.

“We must do it this April. We are just remixing song Dherira in a Tswana version so will be going to Botswana later,” he said.

His second album Ngarizhambe has fifteen tracks exploring various societal issues.

It has songs Ngarizhambe, Tinopekedza, Haungatikoromotse, Dherira, Tande, Chomuduri, Chidhafu Dhunda, Ngaituruke, Zvipande, Tungamira Tiende, Kuzvara Kamwe, Handirambe Mukoma, Unoendepi, Sarunde and Dhali Huya.

All the songs are well arranged but have similarities with Jah Prayzah’s songs.

The young musician however insists that he is not a copycat but working hard to make his own brand.