States-based gospel musician and former Radio Three  (now Power FM) DJ Chaka Ngwenya,   the project features Bashiri Johnson, a world renowned percussionist who  worked with the late pop star Michael Jackson on the “This Is It” project.
Daisy Jopling, Roberta Flack, Kirk Whalum, actor Leon Robinson, Tabitha Fair, Oliver Mtukudzi and Chaka were part of the project that worked on the single.
The song is available on the Internet via downloads on Amazon and Reverb Nation, although plans to make it available in CD form locally are currently underway.
Chaka is in the process of scouting for a recording company that will make it available to Zimbabwean listeners.
“The aim of the project is to identify and promote talent in orphans and give them an opportunity to showcase the talents they received from God.
“The music is also aimed at fund-raising and proceeds will be donated to less-privileged children and that is why we ended up with Tuku and the other United States-based artistes because they have been actively involved in issues to do with orphans and less privileged children,” Chaka said.
He added: “We can say that life is worthwhile if these children end up singing on Broadway and if you hear of celebrities who have made it today who started off as orphans or less-privileged children you will be surprised.”
The song was recorded in New York, United States, at Brian Taylor Studios after Chaka hooked up with Tuku who was featuring as a guest artiste at an event held in the same city.
“We also want to bring all these artistes together for workshops and concerts in Zimbabwe while at the same time taking local artistes to the United States to perform and fund-raise for the kids,” Chaka said.
Chaka, who is an envoy of the Salvation Army Church in New York, where he is based, said assisting orphans is his calling from God.
“It is a calling that God wants me to work with orphans and deal with them whether through paying their school fees or any other related issues. We are also going to record a video with Baba Mechanic Manyeruke apart from other collaborations with a number of other local artistes and these will culminate in an album whose royalties will be channelled towards assisting these children,” he said.
Chaka commended Tuku for the great work he was doing through his Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton.
Tuku is doing an amazing job that is beyond human imagination. You can see his artistic capabilities and vision by merely looking at the astounding work he is doing at Pakare Paye. It is top-notch, it is like New York,” he marvelled.
Chaka, who will be returning to his US base next week, said a lot had changed for the better in Zimbabwe ever since he was last here in 2007.
“I was glad to see the people I worked with at Radio Zimbabwe. Also, the weather here in Zimbabwe is wonderful, because out there in the United States it is very cold. Harare is very fast, I think it is really faster than New York City. The people here are always running around.
“I consider myself as a very fast driver but the driving around here is something else, it really needs serious attention.
“Also the maize crops are showing life and this is positive. Zimbabwean people are very resilient and this is very encouraging,” he said.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey