Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
15 January 2008
Harare — BIGGIE Marshal Tembo Jnr, the son of the legendary Bhundu Boys musician - Biggie Tembo whose real name was Mhosva Marasha is following in his father's footsteps in what has become a trend in Zimbabwean music circles.
A good number of young musicians like Sulumane Chimbetu, Ndux Malax Jnr, Solomon Gweshe, Morgan Dembo, Ronnie Chataika, Tendai Manatsa, James Mujuru, Tendai Wutawunashe, Chiwoniso Maraire, Selmor and Sam Mtukudzi belong to a family tree of musicians and most of them, if not all, taking after their fathers.
But for young Biggie Jnr, the going has been tough since his father died when he was a baby.
"With me the story is different because I grew up when my father was not there and so far it has been difficult since there is no one to give me that fatherly guidance.
"When he died, I was still learning to crawl and music is like something that is new to me when in fact, my father was a genius," he said.
Asked what took him long to become a musician, Biggie Jnr said he did not know where to start from.
"Like I said, there was no one to help and the other thing is I never realised that I had the talent until the day Clive Malunga took me to the Zimbabwe College of Music where I attended some lessons.
"Besides this, I am a fast learner such that when it comes to music I don't need special attention. It all comes naturally.
"Since that time I felt I should be doing music and I gained confidence when most people likened me to my father. They said I have the same feel," Biggie Jnr said.
True to his words, Biggie Jnr does not only have his father's looks but also plays the lead guitar the way his father did.
"Just give me some time and you will see. I believe in myself and when the right time comes I want to do like my father and revive the good old days."
At 19, Biggie Jnr is playing as a session musician for Kireni Zulu, the self-styled marabi king.
According to Biggie Jnr, the prospects of making it big in music are high considering that he is learning a lot from other musicians.
"Macheso (Alick) has asked me to meet him and hopefully it is along music business lines," he said.
Biggie Jnr, whose wish is to start his own group or be part of a band, is the last born in a family of three boys and lives with his mother in Snake Park.
The late Biggie Tembo, one of Zimbabwe's top musicians who reached international fame in the 1980s, committed suicide at Harare Hospital in August 1995. He was 37.
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