Harare — Prince Tendai Mupfurutsa has denounced piracy as "the monster on a mission to destroy the spirit and creativity of many upcoming musicians".

The Naked Fire hitmaker, who is also the chairman of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, called upon consumers of music to shun pirated copies.

"I'm calling upon all consumers of our sweet music not to buy a single copy of the pirated copies being pushed from street corners in broad daylight by vendors and other dubious and faceless characters.

"I'm also calling upon the Government of Zimbabwe to finalise on the introduction of new and harsher legislation that deals with the scourge that has the potential of decimating the Zimbabwe music industry," Prince Tendai said.

Speaking at the launch of a compilation CD titled Nyaradzo Hymns by a new outfit called Sahwira Mukuru Crew, Prince Tendai also called on the adoption of zero tolerance policy towards music piracy.

He said his association with support from the Culture Fund Trust of Zimbabwe were working with over 30 musicians on a campaign song against piracy.

Commenting on the new CD, Prince Tendai described it as a "masterpiece".

"The production has been professionally done making this CD a masterpiece and a must have copy for all music lovers and collectors.

"I have no doubt that this unifying and calming CD entitled Nyaradzo Hymns will find a permanent place in every heart, every soul, every home and every radio station.

"It should become the natural sound track to every great Zimbabwean story," he said.

The barbed wire musician, however, said the CD should not be confined to the funeral parlours and churches alone because it was produced for enjoyment by Zimbabweans.

"This is feel good music that makes you want to do right all the time. It cuts across barriers of age, denomination and language with ease. It is delivered like a sound track to the good life itself yet it is appropriate music in our moment of pain and remembrance," he said.

This is the first time that a funeral assurance company has released an album. On Nyaradzo Hymns, there are 20 tracks including Mukristu Usantete, Ndiye Jesu Zvashamisa, Ndichashamiswa Kwazvo, Tenzi Taungana and Murwizi RweJordan among others.

Newman Chipeni and Phillip Mataranyika produced the album that was recorded and mastered at Artisans Studios.