Thomas Mapfumo

Musician

Since joining his first band, the Zutu Brothers, as a singer at the age of 16 Thomas Tafienyika Mapfumo has grown to become one of Zimbabwe’s most popular musicians famed for Chimurenga Music a sub-genre of traditional protest music that he created and popularized.

Born in 1945 in Marondera Thomas created his first band, the Hallelujah Chicken Run Band 1972 and introduced the innovation of adapting traditional Shona music to modern rock instrumentation. Working with guitarist Joshua Dube he began to transcribe the sounds of the chief instrument of traditional Shona music, the mbira to the electric guitar and began singing primarily in the Shona language.

The Rhodesian regime took his drawing on the native musical tradition and singing in his native language as a political statement. His lyrics became overtly political, supporting the revolution that was developing in the rural areas.

His songs openly called for the violent overthrow of the government, with lyrics like “Mothers, send your sons to the war” and “Hokoyo!”, which means “Watch out!” The government banned the record from the state-controlled radio and threw him into a prison camp without charges in 1979.

Large demonstrations in protest of his arrest and an inability to trump up charges against him forced the government to release him after three months.

At independence, Mapfumo performed at the celebratory concert which also featured Bob Marley and went on to release a string of songs celebrating the country’s independence. Thomas transformed his revolutionary music to social and political commentary on post-independence Zimbabwe. His 1989 Album Corruption was in response to the Willowvale Motor Industries scandal the biggest post-independence scandal which claimed the scalps of some cabinet ministers.

Having settled in Oregon in the United States of America, Thomas Mapfumo has continued to tour internationally and occasionally Zimbabwe his country of birth where he performs in front of sell-out crowds.

His music continues to provide commentary about the situation in Zimbabwe. Thomas is a true living legend of Zimbabwean music with over 30 albums and numerous singles to his name released after independence.

His chimurenga style of music influenced other Zimbabwean musicians, including the Bhundu Boys, Stella Chiweshe, Jonah Sithole, Pio Farai Macheka and many others. He has mentored and taught many young musicians and has taken and popularized. — NACZ.