Djembe monks’ star on the ascendant

 They are now an intergral part of the music making collective. The rise of South African groups such as Mi Casa and Liquideep mark a significant shift in the music industry . The groups have a disc jockey, if not two as part of the line up. The world over, the likes of David Guetta — a French disc jockey — cum-music producer are riding the crest of a wave that may have triggered by the likes of Frankie Knuckles and Louie Vega.
Dance music is ruling the roost right now. Most rhythm and blues/hip hop artists such as Usher and Rihanna have jumped into the fray. It now seems mandatory that if you want a hit song then you have go to David Guetta to receive your baptism of electronica or dance music. Locally, Djembe Monks, a Bulawayo sprung tribal house music group’s star is on the ascendant following high profile performances alongside the likes of South Afrtican it girl Zahara and at the inaugural Nama event in Bulawayo which was beamed live to the nation.  Also streamed on line to millions of viewers on the 16 th of February the group took to stage collaborating with Khuxxman on his hit song  “ Vumelani Sangoma” at the glitzy Nama and showed why dance music is potent right now. The group is gaining so much traction that even unscrupulous promoters are cashing in on their success by false advertising their shows in the group’s name as happened recently in Bulawayo.
The group has two percussionists and two disc jockeys. Kotso Nare, (Logistics) , Mr. Roots  Kolossal and Slimzar wa Afrika and DJ Black Cee. “We have an organic live African sound, using African instruments such as the Djembe, Congas, shakers, cowbells. We like to experiment, and from there we come up with a unique sound. Fan favourites off their current album “Deep Love and Drums” are tracks called “Ba Tonga” and “Chipfinga”. The sound of the Djembe monks can be described as experimental and frantic. The percussive element of their sound gives the music an ethereal quality. In terms of global parallels, the music may well be deemed to be peerless. Zimbabwean radio is yet to pick up on the group.
Sometimes I yearn for the days of mukoma Johnno and 75 percent local content requirement when I turn the radio on to be deluged by foreign soulless music strains from artists such as Rihanna. That’s my opinion and I get frustrated the blissful ignorance of Zimbabwean radio to music from outside of Harare ! Vive le Djembe Monks !