Tuku: The best of both worlds

Kenneth Matimaire

He is highly regarded as the granddad and ambassador of Zimbabwean music, among many of his appellations.At a time when many musicians from his generation are either deceased or have sunk into sheer oblivion, his sound still echoes in city night spots, weddings, house parties and the local airwaves.
Music critics best equate his music to wine, which gets better with age. His sound remains relevant to both the older and the younger generation of today.

Boasting a well-decorated artistic history is none other than the man, the music, the prolific legendary music superstar, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi.
Having made his first professional break into mainstream music in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, Tuku has rose to be an internationally acclaimed music icon.
Tuku has performed to tens of thousands of patrons of different races abroad.

With his trademark husky voice and Katekwe dance, the Shamiso hitmaker has succeeded to charm local, regional, and international revellers during his music career now spanning into four decades.
There have been other musicians such as Biggie Tembo of the Bundu Boys, Mbuya Stella Chiweshe and Mapfumo who fit in the same category.

However, the legacy of the tripartite has been eroded either due to their untimely deaths or long stay abroad thereby falling short of grassroots support locally and regionally.
The Bundu Boys was one of the first locally and internationally recognised bands but later submerged into the turbulent waters of the shark infested music industry following the untimely departure of its members.
Chiweshe and Mapfumo fell off the local popularity ladder owing to their long stay abroad despite the fact that they are still exceptionally talented acts.

It should also be noted that while the local music industry saw the emergence of various talented acts such as the late Leonard Dembo, Marshall Munhumumwe, James Chimombe, Ketai Muchawaya, Edwin Hama, Simon Chimbetu, Zexie Manatsa, Zig Zag band and Leonard Zhakata as the most notable names, their popularity was mainly confined within the country’s borders.

The same can be said about new stars in the form of Alick Macheso, Sulumani Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah and the late Tongai Moyo.
The late Chiwoniso, defunct Bundu Boys, Mapfumo, Chiweshe and music band of the moment Mokoomba boast of vast international success.

However, due to varying reasons, these musicians have failed to conquer the local, regional and international market to the scale Tuku has done.
Like any other artiste, Tuku faced criticism within the music circles.
Many questioned the logic behind his constant move of releasing two or three albums a year.

Some also predicted his downfall after he sacked his longtime white manager, Debbie Metcalfe while others raised the same notions following his habit of dissolving the entire Black Spirits band and making new recruits.
However, little did many realise that Tuku was indirectly proving his critics wrong that he is the brand behind his music as he continued to churn out hit after hit.
In 2012, he released his widely received album titled Sarawoga featuring the classic hit Shamiso that has won him the hearts of many. Like most of his albums, which transform the townships into a frenzy and still appeal to delegates at corporate events, Sarawoga is no exception.

The husky voiced musician has become the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and has earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond.
The pencil slim star has been awarded several accolades from the NAMA, the now defunct ZIMA and a number of honourary awards from various universities locally.
He also boast of several regional awards such as KORA, M-Net, Reel Award, among the most notable accolades.

The legendary star is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Internationally, Tuku became the second Zimbabwean artiste after Mapfumo to be inducted into the Afropop Hall of Fame in the United States.
With such a string of local, regional and international accolades under his belt, Tuku can best be described as the “best of both worlds,” musically.