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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter—
Award-winning group, Afrika Revenge, has finally reunited after eight years of separation. The group collapsed in 2006 after a fallout between its founding members – Willis “Afirika” Wataffi and Mehluli “Taz” Moyo – over what they called “business decisions”. However, the two have decided to reunite for their fans and continue from where they left with a special gig slated for tonight at the Book Cafe.

“We are working together and it was longtime coming. That synergy between us didn’t die and we are back to do what we love most. There was no love lost, but we are doing it for the fans and we wanted it as much as everyone did,” Taz said.

Afrika Revenge is expected to launch their first new single after the reunion taken off the upcoming album due for release early next year.
Asked if the split was a result of the alleged fight over a girl, both Taz and Willis vehemently denied the claims saying the issue was about business decisions.

“What people need to understand is that we split in 2006 when things were getting bad in the country’s economy. So regardless, of the split I continued with my music. I got two albums to my name and I have been travelling a lot performing at concerts including the middle East while Taz formed an advertising company. So Taz spent a lot of time running his business and also recorded as solo artistes,” Willis said.

On why they finally decided to reunite now when the dynamics of the music industry had changed , the duo said there was a lot of pressure from fans.
“We realised that we needed each other but most importantly we are doing it for the fans who supported Qaya Music from the beginning. Afrika Revenge should not die, why? Because when we talk of revenge, it is about being positive and this is why we say it is a lifestyle. Music shapes and moulds the society and that is how Qaya Music reached out to people,” Willis said.

The duo admitted that they learnt new things while they pursued solo projects and believe that they are not competing with other musicians.
“When we split we sort of left everything hanging the success and the goodwill that we had as a group. However, a lot has changed within the music industry but we just want to make it clear that we’re unique in our own way.

“We are not going to try to sound like other musicians or change the way we have always done things, N0! But what we will do is to continue giving fans doses of Qaya Music , a sound that we have perfected over the years,” Taz said.

The two were expected to re-launch Afrika Revenge at the Zimbabwe Music Awards however, after the awards were postponed they had to find a way of reintroducing themselves to their fans and the Book Cafe was the ideal place.

Afrika Revenge stormed the music scene with their chart topping debut album titled “Afrika Revenge Presents Qaya Music”.
Six years later the duo shared the stage with Senegalese legend Ismael Lo during the Harare International Festival of the Arts.

At the height of their fame, the duo featured on some of the late Prince Tendai’s hits including “Zimbolicious”, “Chipo Babe” and “Naked Fire”. They also featured on “Tanyaradzwa” soundtrack.

Afrika Revenge won Song of The Year for “Wanga”, Best Male Artiste, Best Jazz Album and Best Newcomer at the ZIMA in 2004. It also won the Outstanding Album award for their debut at the National Arts Merit Awards in 2005.