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One of the late Dr Oliver Mtukudzi’s proteges Munya Mataruse is set to launch his new album “Chimhinga Mupini” at Pakare Paye Arts Centre this weekend in Norton. The Canada-based artiste launches the 11-track album which talks about his journey and life experiences with Zimbabwe’s legendary singer Tuku.

Herald Senior Arts Reporter Tafadzwa Zimoyo (TZ), speaks to Mataruse (MM) about his new album and his memory of the man who influenced his career in a big way.

TZ: When did you leave for Canada?

MM: I left for Canada in November 2015, I was so lucky I got a scholarship for Music Production when I was touring in Northern America with Oliver Mtukudzi. With the knowledge that I now have I am planning to start something for free that would help musicians inform of video tutorials.

It’s really important for musicians to understand a little bit of music production because when a song comes you will be alone and it would be nice if you just capture the idea and later give it to someone who can develop it. So my biggest wish was to record my own music not being rushed by anyone. I believe in putting a lot of time in my projects before I let them out. I turned 31 on January 22.

1. What do you call your music?

MM: Most of the music I play you can dance a Masvingo move called Shangara so I ended up calling my music Shangara.

I love our own traditional music.

I sometimes fuse my music with some modern grooves to accomodate everyone. I think what is important is to come out with a good song, a song that carries a good message, heals someone or touches a heart.

TZ: You have a new album coming out tell us the title and tracks?

MM: I named this 11 track- album Chimhinga Mupini. I had a deep thought before I recorded this album. It’s a reflection of the stumbling blocks, limitations and difficulties I have faced in my life.

It’s not by choice that we are all here, life is moving on and we still have hope.

The tracks include ‘Kuda Ngoma’, ‘KaCup Kered’, ‘Chiname’, ‘Amai Bhoyi’, ‘Hinde’, ‘Chimhinga Mupini’, ‘Matyora Miti’ which I dedicate to the late Oliver Mtukudzi, ‘Weropa’, and ‘Chitekete’, among others. However my previous albums are Dengu ReMhodzi released in 2010 and PaShangara released in 2013 they were all produced under Pakare Paye and TukuMusic Label.

TZ: Why did you choose Pakare Paye Arts Centre?

MM: I was born and raised in Norton and I started my music carrier at Pakare Paye Arts Centre so I have more fans there.

TZ: What lessons have you drawn from the late icon?

MM: Yes I have worked with the late Dr Oliver Mtukudzi, I used call him ‘Cavaliere’, the term given to him by the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella making him the first African musician to be given such an Honorary Doctorate from the Italian Government.

One of the advices I remember from him was that, ‘being a musician doesn’t make you better than anyone else in the society, work as a team, remember even those ladies who sell tomatoes at the market place they are really important as they are serving the community in a different way.

He used to ask me to accompany him to his village where he was laid to rest, we used to sit on the shade and he could pull out some of his old vintage acoustic guitars and we could just jam like for two hours.

The most interesting thing was how he connected with his fans and just general people.

At the village, after we were done with music , he would share historical stories about Madziva, the importance of culture, love and music. He would also make the villagers come enjoy music apart from also playing instruments.

That really shaped me to be who I am. I learnt respect was key in life.