Oliver Mtukudzi |
Walking music authority Oliver Mtukudzi has seen highs and
lows in the music business and is joyously sharing the fruits of his journey
with budding artists.
The Todii and Ndakuvara singer comes off as plain and
relaxed. However, what he says and the sounds coming from the strings of his
guitar are what he considers more important than his appearance.
Clad in a simple white shirt and black jeans, he speaks of
how he managed to stay productive and relevant throughout the years - his
method simply being originality and truth.
"As long as there are people, there is something to
talk about - and if there is something to talk about, then there is something
to sing about," he says, smiling.
The 64-year-old from Norton, 45km west of Harare in
Zimbabwe, may appear to be a simple man who likes swimming and taking morning
walks with his wife, but there is more to him that separates him from the rest.
Tuku, as his fans affectionately call him, has seen and
heard it all in the music industry - this after 41 years and 64 albums.
"I think I managed to keep myself relevant because of
the umbrella that covers whatever I talk about in my music. That is self-discipline
- it translates into respecting the next person. So that is what I talk about
[in the music]," he says.
His new compilation album, titled God Bless You, follows his
tradition of including two or three gospel songs in every album, and features
both original and traditional compositions.
Despite all his success, he still works with the vigour of a
beginner and is currently recording two collaboration albums with renowned
trumpeter Hugh Masekela.
The two first met in 1982 at a club named Jobs in Harare.
Mtukudzi was on stage performing and Masekela was in the audience. The
trumpeter was so moved by the guitarist's chords that he joined him on stage
with his horn.
Mtukudzi was a fan but he did not know what Masekela looked like.
It only made sense once the MC said Masekela was joining him on stage.
The musical camaraderie would go on for decades.
"On these up-coming projects, we are talking about
inheritance and our heritage. Birds of a feather flock together. We both believe
in who we are and we make our own sound. For that reason, we don't struggle to
understand each other," he says.
He is one to openly promote new talent but he is not happy
with the direction the music industry is taking, especially the way songs are
"composed".
Mtukudzi's parting shot to younger musicians is to be
original, honest and refrain from sampling because "God won't duplicate
talent, there is only one you".
"Life is not about competition, but about complementing
each other.
"For you to be on this planet there is a purpose for
you. At times we fight God by suggesting what's good for us - and by doing
that, we forget what He gave us," he adds.
"Creativity is dying, our new talent is going to waste
because of short cuts. Youngsters Google a song, loop the sample and call it
composing a song. That is not it. That is using the brains of some German guy
who made that and placing your lyrics on it.
"That is structuring, not composing music. As much as I
love our media, I blame it on them. They push alien stuff and ignore who we
are," he lashes out.
Mtukudzi has an art centre in Zimbabwe called Pakare Paye
(meaning "that place") where he facilitates 110 youngsters to find
their footing in the arts.
"It's open every day. We are not like a college, they
basically teach each other. Parents generally don't listen when the kids say
'this is who I am'. We mentor those disadvantaged children," he says.
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