Mick Hartley

I was searching on YouTube for some music from Zimbabwe.

Although there was nothing really to compare with the extraordinary musical vibrancy of neighbouring South Africa, a distinctive modern style did develop in Zimbabwe during the late Seventies, based on traditional Shona mbira music. This was Chimurenga – music of the struggle, the fight against Ian Smith’s Rhodesia – and Thomas Mapfumo was the main man. The first we in Britain heard of him was as one of the contributors to Viva! Zimbabwe, from Jumbo Vanrenen’s Earthworks label, in ’83. From the sleeve notes:

During the 60s and 70s popular musical tastes in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) were dominated by imported styles: Jive from South Africa, Rhumba Congolese from Zaire and the Congo, Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Rock from the USA, Rock and Pop from Britain. The escalation of the liberation struggle had a marked effect on breaking this imported stranglehold on popular culture. Many local musicians and songwriters were directly influenced by the “Voice of Zimbabwe” broadcast by ZANU in Maputo, Mozambique. Most influential of these programmes was Chimurenga Requests, which was compiled from popular liberation songs, requests and letters of support from people living within the war zone. This outlawed Chimurenga music rocked the country and an underground movement emerged led by singer Thomas Mapfumo. His records were banned, never advertised, yet still he managed to top the charts. Mapfumo and others set subtle contemporary lyrics supporting the liberation forces to electric arrangements of traditional Shona music. It was a great advantage that the white people didn’t understand the message.

There was a book, by Alec Pongweni, “Songs That Won the Liberation War”, about the importance of Chimurenga music. It’s not in print any more. Yes, it was all a long long time ago.

So, where is he now, Thomas Mapfumo? Well, he was doing fine in the new Zimbabwe until he started criticising Mugabe, notably with his Corruption album of 1989. That didn’t go down too well, and after years of government harassment he moved to the States. He still records and tours. Here’s an interview with him from 2004, describing how his music is now banned in his own country. “Music is supposed to be the voice of the voiceless; those who can’t speak for themselves.” And here’s Zimbabwe in 2008 – a call to get rid of Mugabe: “Is this how we want to be in 2009?”

So what did I find on YouTube? Well, not that much, to be honest. There’s Oliver Mutukudzi, still turning out decent music, but not, I think it’s fair to say, a man who concerns himself overmuch with politics. Try here for his latest number, about how he was injured training his ox. The Bhundu Boys featured heavily on the club and college circuit back in the Eighties, but their lead singer Biggie Tembo killed himself in 1995.

But yes, there was some modern music from Zimbabwe. I hesitate to link to it though. Be warned, it’s nasty stuff. To give a flavour, here are a couple of comments from the individual who posted it:

Mugabe our hero, Mugabe our legend. now evil pinks must be hated more than HIV and death so that they can loose control over Africa.

one more reason we should hate your evil race and classified it in the same rank as HIV. the pink “white” evil race deserve only hell.

No Chimurenga this: it’s vicious crude hate music. And it’s back to imported musical styles: rap, of course. Twenty eight years of Mugabe, and this is Zimbabwe’s culture now.

Even if the current post-election hiatus resolves itself peacefully with Mugabe’s departure – a big if, naturally – it’ll take generations to get over his legacy.