Alick Macheso

Musician

Regarded as the “King of Sungura Music”, extraordinarily talented in terms of bass guitar playing, dancing and vocals, Alick Macheso burst onto the music scene in 1998, with his debut album Magariro, fronting the band Orchestra Mberi Kwazvo. Born in 1968, Alick can play all other guitars but he prefers bass.

Arguably, Alick Macheso belongs to the elite class of Sungura musicians of all time. What makes Alick so outstanding is that he is an exceptional guitarist, lyricist and dancer all rolled into one who rose to prominence in the early 1990s. His days at Khiama Boys enabled Nicholas Zacharia to mentor him and other musicians like the late System Tazvida.

After independence, Macheso came to Harare in 1983 where he joined the Shepherd Chinyani-led Vhuka Boys. He was earlier taught how to play the lead and bass guitars by Rogers Chimusoro and Chinyani respectively.

Macheso, whilst touring with the band later met Nicholas Zakaria. Since the Vhuka band had no equipment, Macheso was forced to abandon it and later joined Zakaria who was staying in Epworth. The latter had formed the Khiama Boys earlier. When he temporarily hanged the mic, to concentrate on driving, Macheso then decided to form the Orchestra Mberikwazvo with Zakaria Zakaria, Nicholas’ younger brother.

With the help of the Bhundu Boys, Macheso went on to release popular albums such as ‘Simbaradzo’, ‘Zvakanaka Zvakadaro’ and ‘Zvido Zvenyu Kunyanya’. Macheso rose to fame with the album Magariro that had several hits including Pakutema Munda, Baba naMai among many others. Vakiridzo and then another Simbaradzo in 2000.

Zvakanaka Zvakadaro came in 2001, Zvido Zvenyu Kunyanya in 2003 and was followed by Vapupuri Pupurai some two years later. Ndezvashe was recorded in South Africa after Macheso’s contract with Gramma Records expired.

Alick Macheso was appointed Red Cross Zimbabwe Ambassador in 2013 after the society noticed his efforts to improve the welfare of the vulnerable and sick through his annual Chitungwiza General Hospital Charity show. He has won several National Arts Merit Awards and Zimbabwe Music Awards. These include; Best Song of the Year – Madhawu (2003), Best Live Performer (ZIMA) (2004 and 2005), Best Sungura Artiste (ZIMA) with 11 albums under his belt.

Macheso’s influence in Sungura music is pervasive. His style is influencing many upcoming Sungura musicians. His exceptional bass guitar playing skills earned him the nickname Extrabasso.

The man has become so influential that his brand of music now stands as a yardstick amongst other musicians of his ilk. Taking a leaf from his mentor Nicholas Zacharia, Alick Macheso is mentoring other young musicians most of whom he uses as curtain-raisers at his numerous shows. Indeed, the title “King of Sungura” aptly sums his musical achievements in Sungura circles hitherto.