Mathias Julius’ star shining

The event was not just a reggae event, but a mixture of live music genres which are Zimbabwe’s own and home grown. Other groups featured included some of Zimbabwe’s hottest young talent that are already making waves in the world: An exciting new collaboration between former Music Crossroads winners, Bongo Love and Mokoomba, who have been tried and tested on the international tour circuit and Zimbabwe’s first mbira-punk band Chikwata 263.
“This was the sixth Afro Rock Reggae event to be organised in Zimbabwe since the series was launched in 2011,” said an ecstatic Matty.
For all intent and purposes, the show presented a new approach to live performances in Zimbabwe, something that the young and upcoming artists should start appreciating in the early part of their careers. From the line-up, it looks like each presentation had something different to offer, and describing all the acts in one article would not give any justice.
Starting off on the reggae note, Matty proved to the crowd that he could be Zimbabwe’s next representative
at the annual Reggae Sunsplash in Kingston Jamaica. Matty blends Shona, Ndebele and English lyrics in all his songs and the X-Vybz crew, comprising of various backing vocals and instrumentalists. One of Matty’s greatest talents is to work with other talented and already established artists and according to him “this is the way forward.”
His music draws on a variety of influences ranging from traditional and popular Zimbabwean music to reggae, dub, and hip-hop, and represents the very best of Zimbabwe’s young, urban music scene.
“I know I’m a leading vocalist, but people want to listen to different voices on an album and during the show. I believe in sharing our music and when we fuse the different voices, we produce a unique sound,” he says.
At the concert, Matty played most of the songs from his first and second albums Here I Come and Don’t Look Back, and also the latest single Pahushamwari Hwedu (Our Friendship). Pahushamwari Hwedu is collaboration between Matty and some well known artists in Zimbabwe’s reggae scene including Mannex Motsi, Thanda Richardson, Kalabash, Cello Culture, Mary Motsi, Chaza, J.Farai, and Lady Squanda.
The second album, presents an interesting mix, featuring collaborations with various artists, including Prometheus, Dizzy Don and BC, Pauline, Dea Berthelsen, Bella and the great Oliver Mtukudzi.
Listening to the track Twentyten (2010) on the second album, one is forgiven to think that this is a happy sing-along song but as one listens closer to the lyrics, one’s attention is immediately swayed away by the powerful and painful lyrics of missing a dear friend, in the form of Sam Mtukudzi who passed on in a tragic accident in the same year. With Tuku’s backing, the song reminds us of a grieving father still waiting for his son, whose letter, in the form of a song is the only consolation.
The track Mama, a tribute to all mothers, can be singled out as one of the best compositions. It comes at the right time when Mothers’ Day is about to be celebrated next month.
Don’t Look Back, might sound like an encouragement song but it turns out to be a heartbreaker, as it talks about a failed relationship.  As an album title track, I’m not too sure whether it will be a hit locally but I would prefer tracks like Mama, Don’t Worry or Freedom to bear the masthead or any independent title, for that matter. 
All the same, a great  effort from the multi-talented singer and  choreographer who started  his artistic career in the 1990s, when he joined Zimbabwe’s renowned Tumbuka Dance Company.  In addition to his numerous international appearances with Tumbuka, he was featured as a dancer in the music video Perekedza Mwana,” released by Oliver Mtukudzi.