Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
14 February 2009
Harare — WHEN Madiz took to the stage during Alick Macheso's recent family show in the Harare Gardens, it seemed very few people, if anyone, in the crowd knew him.
To many, the name simply didn't click and neither did the crowd manage to put the face behind the music.
It was only until he belted out the smash hit "Ndanakirwa" off his debut album -- Rhumba Plus -- that many recognised him.
The hit single received heavy airplay on all radio stations, but regrettably Madiz admits he is still to gain the recognition he deserves.
"I want people to know me as much as they do with my music," he said.
Growing up in the ghetto was an inspiration to Madiz as he would do almost anything to gain recognition.
At Matinunure High School, he was once a Scripture Union member, played marimba, became an athlete and break-danced in the streets.
Formerly based in Mkoba, Gweru, Madiz -- whose real name is Itai Madzikura -- has relocated to Harare to explore new avenues.
"There is not much happening in Gweru in terms of clubs and shows. I realised if I'm going to make it, I should be where things happen and Harare has been a hub of activity for many artistes," he said.
For those not in the know, Madiz is "short" for Madzikura, the brainchild of the music he likes to call Rhumba Plus.
Madiz is the third born in a family of five.
"Rhumba Plus is a genre which I have developed and perfected in recent years. It's really a combination of everything that represents me. It has got jazz, soul and R&B but the dominant rhythm is rhumba," he said.
Like most artistes, Madiz started singing in a church choir before joining Joyful Rependous, an all-male gospel group.
The group released Ndinomuda, which failed dismally.
Later he met another Gweru-based dapper rapper -- Nasty Trixx -- and helped him record his album "Kupinda Newe".
On the album Madiz was featured on almost every track including the songs "Vahombe", "Anotyisa" and the title track.
Besides doing choruses for Nasty Trixx, Madiz also featured on Extra Large's "Ndikadhakwa Ndonetsa".
Another opportunity arose when Madiz together with his homeboys Abisha Makombe, Chris Samakande and Trust Jokonya formed Souls of Africa.
The group released "Madam Chamunoda" in which Madiz's unique voice is dominant.
"I came across Power FM's Dr Zobha and music producer Tony G, who advised me that I was good at rhumba than the R&B and soul that I was singing at the time.
"I then decided to go solo and developed my own definition of sound which is Rhumba Plus. By the way, rhumba was not my kind of music but I began to like it when I found out that I was good at it," he said.
When Samakande left Souls of Afrika for South Africa, the group died a natural death with Madiz pursuing a solo career.
His big break came with the release of "Amina", a hit single recorded in 2005 and two years later with help from Gramma Records, Madiz released his first album -- Rhumba Plus.
The album featured the tracks Kazevezeve, Ndanakirwa, Hapana, Murume Wangu, Venenzia and Amina.
However, the release of Ndanakirwa touched off a row between Madiz and BV Labien Musica, another Zimbabwean rhumba outfit.
The latter claimed Madiz stole their chorus on the song Kumba Handiyende.
"Honestly, by the time I recorded Ndanakirwa I had not heard of Kumba Handiyende and up to now I'm still in the dark about the song," he claimed.
Asked if he was aware that copying or hiring music without permission was criminal, Madiz said he was no copycat.
"I'm aware that some big sungura musicians in Zimbabwe are borrowing heavily from rhumba musicians like Koffi Olomide, Werason and others but I'm no copycat.
"I create my own music and this is why I sometimes sing in English, which is something different," he said.
Rhumba Plus, he said, was now appreciated in other countries like Malawi, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa because of its diversity.
With a bit of help from Gramma Records, Madiz managed to release the video of the song "Ndanakirwa", a beautifully edited video with shots from Chez Ntemba, a leading rhumba nightclub.
It won him US$500 after being voted the third best video in the ZTV Music Video awards for 2008.
"I'm working on my next album which will be out in March this year and it's a scorcher. Although I still up-and-coming I consider myself a big success in rhumba circles," he said.
The only hurdle, he said, was the lack of promoters and shows.
"Every time I feel I want to do better and Macheso really inspired me because all this time I've been using backtracks but I think it's time to switch to a live band," he said.
Madiz was referring to the family show at which he was invited on stage by Macheso who, together with his Orchestra Mberikwazvo outfit, went on to play the backing music for "Ndanakirwa".
At first Madiz thought he would sing one or two lines and leave the stage as there were no back tracks but he was surprised when Macheso and his band played the song to the end and revellers were actually left asking for more.
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