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Sophia Chese Arts Correspondent
Afro Jazz crooner Prince Kudakwashe Musarurwa (pictured), who recently returned from his inaugural tour of the United Kingdom, says the visit was an important experience for his career.

Musarurwa was in the United Kingdom for the “Gunship Tour” that saw him sharing the stage with dendera musician Suluman Chimbetu and dancehall chanter Freeman.

Musarurwa said since it was his first time in the UK, the shows were an eye-opener and he would use his experience to improve his music and stage work.

“I had a great time and I learnt a lot from fellow musicians mukoma Sulu, Freeman and a number of Zimbabwean musicians based in the UK, the likes of Nash Dad and Lamont Chipepo among others. I am sure this will help me in my musical career,” he said.

“We had performances in London and Birmingham and turnout at the shows was overwhelming. People there loved our music and I am happy that those who came to my shows enjoyed my music and the mbira instrument was loved by many. I must say I was given an overwhelming response and I felt at home in a foreign land,” he said.

Musarurwa also highlighted that he had an opportunity to record five tracks which are going to be on his upcoming album to be released early next year.

“I am also very happy that I managed to record five tracks off my upcoming 10 track album set to be released early next year and some of the songs I recorded are ‘Amai T’, ‘Dzambarafuta Rave Igo’ and ‘Mhesva Mukono’ among others.

“With the help from Kona Global I also managed to shoot my video for the song ‘Haruperi Zvekumhanya’ and I believe it is a masterpiece,” he said.

Musarurwa, who fronts the Afro Royal band, was accompanied by his backing vocalists Mabel Bure and Mercy Dengura.

He is set to tour Uganda in November where he is expected to record a duet with Uganda’s Janzi band.

Musarurwa, who hogged the limelight when he featured on his niece Pah Chihera’s hit “Runonzi Rudo”, was introduced on the entertainment scene by his six-track album titled “Gara Muberere”.

The album, which is loaded with Afro-jazz songs, gives the feel of a talented young musician whose touch convinces listeners that he is indeed from a music family. He is the grandson to yesteryear music legend, Augustine Musarurwa, of “Skokiaan” fame. He has four albums under his belt, namely “Kurarama”, “Gara Muberere”, “Gogodera” and the latest offering “Chiga Chikuru”.

His music carries cultural and traditional messages from modern perspective. He said he draws his inspiration from Oliver Mtukudzi and the late Chiwoniso Maraire while internationally he is inspired by Salif Keita from Mali. The 26-year-old musician is working with a number of female artistes locally and regionally. He has a duet with Botswana musician Slizer, born Naledi Kaisara, titled “iFriday Mudiwa” and has collaborated with Ugandan songbird Daisy Ejang on love song “I Must Stick with You”.