Music of Zimbabwe and its Best Genres
Highlighting the the distinct musical scenes in Zimbabwe
By Panashe Siziba
There are distinct Zimbabwean musical scenes nowadays in Zimbabwe, the two scenes are highly associated with the ither one being more traditional African style, the other scene being highly modern due to an influence by the western countries, and this has boosted the emergency of some great musicians within the country and even in the regional areas. Mentioning the first genre which was highly labeled as the "Tuku" genre which we can regard as a genre on its own as it graced the stage and different stations locally and internationally, even the Legend is no more his music is still on highly rated charts, well with the mention of Tuku we can't ignore the chimurenga genre which was highly developed by one of the greatest to ever grace the stage , Thomas Mapfumo , this genre named in Shona language word for the struggle , his band and him created a style of music based on mbira music though there was later on an additional of a western touch through use of instruments. In Zimbabwe the Mapfumo music is recognized as a liberation war tool.
Rhumba being another genre with some finest talents, Simon Chimbetu and Leonard "Karikoga" Zhakata, these influenced this genre having to share the stage and industry several times. Afro Jazz, being another genre that produced Prince Kudakwashe Musarurwa, he graced the stage for a shorter time, but his music still lives on in the hearts of many Zimbabweans, this genre was influenced by a style of township rhythm.
Sungura, is another genre that emerged in the year 1953, this genre was pioneered by Ephraim Joe and his band, Sungura band, the band produced the likes of Chimbetu, Mitchell Jambo before the Khiama Boys emerged since then a group of artists including Aleck Macheso managed to build their musical careers under this genre.
Gospel which is one of the leading genres graced the stage, mentioning the founding figures such as baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Brian Sibalo and Jonathan Wutawunashe. Currently this genre has become one of the highly rated producing the likes of the Mahenderes and the Charambas.
There are other genres such as ZimDancehall, this genre came about as a result of Jamaican dancehall, the youths relabelling it "mangoma", one cannot mention ZimDancehall without talking about Winky D, Freeman, Snyper Storm, Guspy Warrior, the late Soul Jah Love and Seh Calaz who have produced some well-polished albums throughout the years.
The European side also led to the emergency of ZimHipHop in Zimbabwe, in 1990s there was the rise of artists like, Maskiri, Stunner, Jnr Brown, Tehn diamond, and now it has some polished talents, Holy Ten, R Peels and Suhn. This genre led to Zim Hip Hop Gospel which has been highly run by well decorated Mudiwa hood who has many great songs to his name.