Godwin Muzari
17 October 2009
ABOUT 20 local musicians will join forces in fighting piracy through a 10-track album that is expected next month. The artists include Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu, Joyce Simeti, First Farai, Alexio Kawara, Hosiah Chipanga, Bob Nyabinde, Busi Ncube, Sebastian Magacha and Willis Wattafi.
Some artists will provide individual compositions while the main song would be a joint effort featuring most of the participants.
Album co-ordinator, Emmanuel Thomas said the project was a brainchild of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association.
"As musicians, we are very worried about the rate at which piracy is growing. It has siphoned us of our returns and some people are making big business out of the practice," said Thomas who is the former Frontline Kidz front man.
"There have been numerous efforts from the police and musicians' associations to curb the practice but it is still corroding our music fabric. It erodes confidence and inspiration of the artists. We feel it is high time we made this joint effort to steer more action against perpetrators of this evil."
Some participating musicians that spoke to Standardplus expressed satisfaction at the arrangement.
Macheso said there was need for greater efforts against piracy.
"We are declaring a war against piracy. The album is just a step in that direction but I believe more has to be done on the ground to weed out the practice. We cannot enforce the law but this album will be our way of showing our anger," Macheso said.
Kawara echoed Macheso's statement.
"We will sing strongly against piracy. We have lost a lot and we are wounded. We just wish more could be done to ensure that piracy is eliminated forever," Kawara said.
However, jazz music diva, Dudu Manhenga fell out with other musicians after she refused to feature on the joint song accusing the composers of failing to meet her standards.
Most of the artists have already put their voices to the song but Manhenga opted out saying it was sub-standard.
Her attitude enraged the artistes and most have vowed not to work with her on any project labelling her a "big-headed hypocrite".
Thomas said he was surprised by Manhenga's response when they engaged her for the song.
"We gave her the skeletal composition and she said it was not her type of music," Thomas said.
"She requested to be left out saying the song was too local and did not appeal to her target market.
"She said it fell short of international standards and featuring in such a song would jeopardise her career."
Manhenga admitted that she had differences with the song producers but refused to elaborate on the nature of the misunderstanding.
"For the sake of the progress of this important album, I will not comment on that misunderstanding," Manhenga said.
"I will contribute one of my old songs and you cannot say I am disregarding this noble anti-piracy cause.
Every time there is a group of people misunderstandings arise because of the different views."
The co-ordinators of the project have worked with Harare and Bulawayo artists and would be travelling to other provinces to ensure wide participation.
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