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Tafadzwa Zimoyo

Entertainment Editor

History is being made in 2023!

On May 6, the world witnessed the coronation of King Charles III, but locally in the showbiz sector, one of the seasoned musicians is making his own history by dropping a huge project.

It is Jah Prayzah’s double album alert!

His past projects undoubtedly left a huge mark on the showbiz scene.

This time around, Jah Prayzah is dropping two albums at once, a clear sign that he is now ready to be literally crowned as the “King” of Zimbabwe’s showbiz, as his supporters would want.

If he is not the King already, maybe it is the ‘coronation’ he simply awaits.

But it is up to the fans to listen to the two projects and see if it is befitting to finally crown him the King. 

His real name is Mukudzeyi Mukombe, of course the Government one, but the multitude of citizens know him by his stage name as Jah Prayzah.

He used to play the mbira instrument in the rural areas of Uzumba and little did he know the Midas touch of his hands and vocal chords would take him to the bright lights of Harare and even beyond to other continents.

The tall and lanky musician first blew on the national music scene in 2007 with hit song ‘Sungano’ and he has since improved with age like wine and is now setting records in the game.

During that period, he has united locals with his music literally fulfilling the meaning of his song ‘Sungano’, which can be translated to unity or agreement.

This week, Jah Prayzah releases his 12th album tomorrow and then his 13th on Saturday, in a feat that was only achieved by the late Leonard Dembo, not only once, but twice, first in 1987 when he released Sharai and Kuziya Mbuya Huudzwa albums and then in 1994 when he gave the world two master pieces of albums – Paw Paw and Nzungu Ndamenya.

Not that Jah Prayzah can be compared with Dembo, far from it. Dembo is in a class of his own, and it is only in terms of releasing two albums a year where the comparison ends.

Otherwise trying to take the debate further will be an insult to the late grandmaster of sungura music.

But looking at the coherence of events and numbers, Jah Prayzah knows how to play with the minds of people.

He has managed to triumph over a tall order in the cut-throat music sector.

The historic double album launch will be held in two consecutive days in the Sunshine City (Harare) and City of Kings (Bulawayo).

The two cities are ready to explode as each one is given a dose of “Chiremerera and “Maita Baba” – the two albums Jah Prayzah is launching.

Forget about the wintry season which is beckoning, it’s time to dance and the launch is expected to be a gem.

Chiremerera, which can be interpreted as ‘Heavyweight’ or ‘Respectable’, while ‘Maita Baba’ is simply a thank you to a father or father figure.

Both titles have deeper meanings.

‘Chiremerera’ is set for release tomorrow at Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare tomorrow, while ‘Maita Baba’ will be dropped at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Saturday.

Sharing details about the forthcoming double album launch, the NAMA award winner took to his social media pages to inform his followers.

 “We’re preparing to launch two albums, one Afro — Maita Baba and the other traditional — Chiremerera,” he said. “I’m sure I catered for everyone on these albums as they are diverse to cater for their varying needs.

“Are you ready for my biggest ever album launch? Happy to have my family Gateway Stream Media on the launch.”

The joint effort between the Military Touch Movement (MTM) and Gateway Stream Media on the launch will potentially send waves of tremor and jerks into the local music industry and set high standards.

A glimpse of pictures of the stage circulating on social media shows everything is being done with high standards.

Jah Prayzah last released an album, ‘Gwara’ nearly two years ago, and this year’s double album launch seems as if he is indemnifying his multitude of fans.

However, to tease his fans, earlier this week, Jah Prayzah released the visuals of ‘Sarungano’, one of the songs from the albums, which features fellow singer Feli Nandi.

With Feli Nandi’s vocal ability, definately one would not miss to listen to such a beauty.

Already, the song is receiving praises from his fans.

The views on YouTube are reflecting the homage he could pick with the double album launch. 

The song was the number 1 trending video on YouTube, with more than 300 000 viewers just after a day and was number one trending on Twitter as well on the same day.

The artistic delivery in the song is fantastic, it separates Jah Prayzah and makes him stand out from the crowd.

The way the two hit the love notes, the amount of power, emotions embedded in the vocals and the tone they used, all helped to deliver Sarungano melodiously.

But some have criticised the video, which they said heavily borrowed from blockbuster movie ‘12 years a Slave’ featuring Lupita Nyong’o.

But this does not discredit the song’s video, which strikes one with its captivating storyline.

Even United Kingdom bred Ed Sheeran, who had been accused of copying his Grammy-winning ballad “Thinking Out Loud” from Marvin Gaye’s classic “Let’s Get It On.” was let free as the jury determined that he had created his song independently.

What one needs to do is to twitch and play around with 21st century ideas. You can create something new, but the formular remains the same.

Commenting on the video, one of the Jah Prayzah’s fans on Facebook called Chitova Pheesh said: “The deep bass resonates with a terribly immense and powerful energy. A gobbet prayer to the realms. Song invokes the presence of a peculiar overpowering release.”

Another fan by the name Washington Mangezi said: “Very impressive! I played it more than 10 times. This song is real to me, it’s not just a song but it is a life lesson, thank you Mr JP…”

Compared to other Jah Prayzah’s previous collaborations, the track shows that his artistic work is maturing with consummations, bringing perfection to his career.

The way he expressed the story of the song along with a combination of singing techniques, builds the excitement among his fans who are anticipating the double album launch.

From his humble beginnings at Jazz 105, Jah Prayzah has been one of the hard working and biggest success stories on the local music landscape.

True to one of his hit songs, ‘Tsviriyo”, he whistled to the world that he was coming and he has indeed arrived — “… heeee rasvika gamba….”, as he sings in one of his previous songs.

Some might say that on the album ‘Chiremera’, JahPrayzah might be looking back at how he has been sailing through the storms of the music sector.

He has done successful collaborations and produced huge hits with musicians of various genres, both local and international.

For Jah Prayzah, he is close to the bridge.

The popular musician became the first Zimbabwean to win an MTV African Music Award after scooping the Listeners Choice category on 22 October, 2016.

The sensational musician has always been a contestant that never fails to amaze his fans.

Will the two album being launched this weekend spread like veld fire or they will fizzle into just one hit wonders? 

Whatever happens, Jah Prayzah has already managed to create much noise around the double launch and like any other musician is hoping to reap huge rewards.