Harare — MUSIC superstar Oliver Mtukudzi celebrates his 56th birthday this month with the release of his 56th album.

Mtukudzi said this year had been a hectic one as he performed across the world, recording and producing music.

"I pay special tribute to my fans across the world, the corporate sector for the invaluable support and all the friends of Tuku Music for making things possible, including my family for being there for me always."

He said his 56th album comprises issues from life, the daily human experience -- "love, pain, pleasure, hate, ubuntu, restraint, tolerance, violence, war, peace".

"In this journey of life I have continued deriving endless inspiration from the people and adapting into song - with a great sense of humility -- the emotions of society. Happy emotions and sad emotions have culminated into my music -- fragile emotions too."

Tuku said as long as there will be people, there will always be something to talk about. "And as there will be something to talk about, there will be something to sing about too. I will continue singing, reflecting life and its many faces. Music embodying life experiences will continue with unstoppable gusto," he said.

"As long as man fails to respect man, I will sing. As long as man fails to respect oneself, I will sing too. And as long as man fails to respect God, I will sing again. I will sing about anything if that will make the world around us a better place."

He said with the daily hardships and the eroded incomes music has not been spared, adding: "But we strive to fight on and help make things better every day for our children. We must never give up."

Several young artists have come through Mtukudzi's Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton recording and performing, some of them getting the highest opportunity for exposure by supporting major box office shows. Mtukudzi said: "I take pride in the youngsters and their determination to be tomorrow's leaders in music. These are the champions of the future."

Apart from music the centre is proving to be a force in drama, poetry and prose. At the same time the centre offers resources and provides instructors to lead the talented youngsters in areas such as music compositions, sound and lighting, drumming, guitar work, stage and film acting, script writing and story telling.

Mtukudzi said the centre had also been pivotal in the production of his latest feature film, Ndichirimudiki, which was this September entered in the Zimbabwe International Film Festival.

Mtukudzi said: "We take pride in great humility at Pakare Paye Arts Centre for changing forever the entertainment landscape of Norton town and are privileged to be part of this community."