Zimbabwe’s Popular Protest Musician Releases Single
By Ronnie Chisamba – Zimbabwe’s famous self-styled protest artiste, Paul Madzore (51), released his latest offering, Zimbabwe Manyararireiko,on the 17th this month. The official launch of the track was done through YouTube and other social media platforms.
Family Time – Paul Madzore with his daughters
Zimbabwe Manyararireiko, the title of 12-minute song, is a rhetorical question. Literally translated manyararireiko (a Shona word) means why are you silent: in this case in the face of grave injustice. The title compliments with the song as Madzore highlights the myriad of economic, political and social ills currently ensnaring the southern African state.
The song was produced by Madzore and his team at their Mhenyamauro Music Studios. The name of the music production company is derived from a Shona word that describes a star that shines brightly and can be mistaken for the moonlight.
An active member of the Nelson Chamisa led Movement for Democratic Change (M.D.C.) Alliance, Madzore first recorded a gospel album at Pastor Admire Kasi’s Gospel Train Studio in 2003.Soon after the release of the first album the musician made a more pronounced shift to the genre he terms: “protest music”.
However, the beat for Zimbabwe Manyararireiko – like the majority of his other songs has an inclination to the Afro-gospel genre.This is evident in the new song as Madzore fuses the traditional Zion Church drums and shakers with modern instruments to convey his protest message.
“I derive my inspiration from my religious family background. It is the sound l have always listened to from a tender age.
Paul Madzore
Equally, l love the fusion of that calm and religious touch added with the traditional drum that has inclination to the original Zion Church drum. l am just moved emotionally on hearing it, so l took that beat as an addition, “admitted the artiste from his Harare base, during an online interview.
To date Madzore has recorded and released 14 albums – each collection being made up of about 5 tracks. The latest track is an extract from his forthcoming album.
The official launch of Zimbabwe Manyararireiko comes at a time when the country’s clergy, media, opposition ,civic organizations and the majority of the citizenry are expressing concerns over rampant corruption and gross human rights violations. President E.D Mnangagwa however continues to dismiss these claims as falsehoods and maintains that these are allegations meant to tarnish his administration and the ruling party, Zanu pf.
