Mapfumo courts controversy with new album

Mapfumo courts controversy with new album

MUKANYA showing off his new look during a recent concert in the States

• Mapfumo gets out the razor for new look

• Mapfumo heads home

• Satire too close to the bone for Zim government

• Mapfumo on UK tour

• Mapfumo's missing lyrics

By Showbiz Reporter

THEY said he was slowing down. They said he would be retiring soon. Some even said he was dumbing down after he took out the razor blade and cut his trademark dreadlocks.

But this week, Thomas Mapfumo returned to the big stage with a defiant message: THINK AGAIN!

Out this week is a blockbuster album recorded in the United Kingdom after several attempts to have it recorded in Zimbabwe failed, either due to lyrics being stolen or recorded material suspiciously disappearing.

In the album called Chaputika (It has exploded), Mapfumo's message to those who are trying to silence him is simple: "The album is now out there and you can't stop it. It has exploded."

The 10-track album recorded during a live performance in Milton Keynes last May also carries classic tracks like Pasi Ndepenhaka, Chinungu and Mukadzi waMukoma.

Rodreck Chipezeze, of Quality Video and Film Productions UK, the producers of the album, said: "It's up to the people to interpret what Mapfumo is saying. In this album, we captured Mapfumo at his candid best. He is talking directly to Zimbabweans...urging them to remain strong."

In the song Uchatongwa Wega, Mapfumo addresses politicians who are making others suffer and reminds them that when judgement day comes, they will be standing alone.

Masoja ne Mapurisa will certainly strike some resonance in Zimbabwe, as Mapfumo tackles an apparently patriarchal or senior politician whom he refers to as "Baba" (father). He says the people are dying from the beatings of soldiers and the police that he has deployed in civilian areas.

"Baba vakaramba muchaita sei? Vazhinji vacho ihama dzavo (Father if the soldiers and police refuse to follow your instruction what will you do? Most of the civilians are their relatives)," Mapfumo says. The politician responds in the chorus: "Tinotizira kure vasatibata/Tinotizira kunyika dzavamwe (We will flee so that they don't catch us/We will seek sanctuary in foreign lands)."

He then reminds the politician of the fate of African dictators like Mobutu Sese Seko [Zaire (now DRC)] and Idi Amin (Uganda) who both died in exile after the collapse of their autocratic regimes.

The album is vintage Mapfumo, and a defiant refusal to be bowed by political pressure to tone down on his lyrics. On the cover of the CD, the album is described thus: "The single most astonishing demonstration of the art and craft of music that can be found anywhere."

After listening to the album, its hard to argue.
The album CHAPUTIKA is officially released in Zimbabwe on Friday. In the UK the album is already out and is available from Sterns Music in London (http://www.sternsmusic.co.uk). Alternatively you can contact 02075824343 or 07968129345
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