Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Richmore Tera
27 March 2008
Harare — UPCOMING musician Benedict Chagumuka's recent claims that he is the undisputed "Prince" of Chimurenga music, is bound to revive the battle for the title.
The claim comes at a time when the likes of Frank Chitumba are holding their own in the genre and are also vying for the mantle.
Benedict - son to the late Robbie Chagumuka - also claims that his late father, together with legendary musician Thomas Mapfumo, are the only "kings" in the genre.
The rising star, whose debut album Mwachewe Wandiona earned him nomination in last year's NAMA-award Chimurenga music category, said he rightly deserved the title considering that the likes of Pio Farai Macheka and Taurai Bryn Mteki had since gone quiet.
"I am the new Prince of Chimurenga music. In fact, I am the man of the moment inasfar as Chimurenga music is concerned," he said.
Benedict, however, said he had great respect for Thomas Mapfumo for trailblazing the genre although he still feels that his late father was equally good.
The 24-year-old musician felt by playing Chimurenga music he was contributing towards the preservation of traditional African music that faced competition from Western-oriented music styles.
"Nowadays youths of my age are running away from our traditional form of music. Vari kuti zvembira kwete. But having grown up in a family where mbira was the only instrument that I saw my father playing, it was obvious that I would naturally take it up," he said.
He dismissed the notion that Chimurenga music in Zimbabwe was now almost extinct.
"The Chimurenga genre is still alive. Haisi kumashure," he charged.
But what is his understanding of Chimurenga music?
"Chimurenga music is not about going to war in order to understand and play it. It was only named after the liberation wars commonly known as Chimurenga. But, in fact, they are folk songs that were sung by our ancestors," said Benedict.
Benedict had a word of advice for his fellow youthful musicians who were playing the Western-type of music.
"Stick to your culture, your traditional music and avoid imitating Western traditions through your music." Benedict currently has two videos being aired on ZBC TV.
Viewers might be popular with DeMbare, the video that talks about and shows the exploits of the team of the moment Dynamos who are the league champions as well as holders of the Nestle Charity Shield.
It, in fact, shows in its clips Dynamos players going through what they know best to the accompaniment of a lively football commentary.
Benedict said he is married to former Miss Rural Mash West (Mvurwi) model Mavis Manongwa whom he met before she became a model.
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