Has imbube harmony lost its appeal?

FROM time immemorial music has been one tool used in African societies to convey certain important messages to people.

These were messages of solidarity, love, patriotism, respect and unity among other issues.

Some songs were sung especially during colonialism to convey political messages. Some spurred people into action pertaining to any issue they wished addressed.

In Zimbabwe, imbube music rose to stardom as it unified communities for a common cause hence a number of imbube groups emerged. Some of them once took the nation by storm with their captivating and uplifting harmonies.

These include groups such as Insingizi Emnyama, Black Umfolosi, Impumelelo Shining Stars, Qaphela Voice Sound (Lower Gwelo), Izinkanyezi Zezulu Stars, Umdumo Wesizwe among others.

It is unfortunate that some of the groups have disbanded.

There are however others that have survived the time and continue to appeal to both the young and the old. Black Umfolosi is one such group which broke into the limelight after Independence with the song Unity, which almost became a national anthem. It became famous not only because of the well-knitted harmony but the message it conveys.

Insingizi group which is now based in Austria is also said to have once sold about 230 000 copies in the United States of America alone, with the album Voices of Southern Africa.

However, the turn of the 21st century appears to have had negative repercussions on the appeal of imbube music in our modern society. This music seems to be slowly fading away.

This is probably due to the advent of certain genres such as RnB, sungura, kwaito and House which seem to fascinate especially the young generation.

This leaves one questioning if imbube music still has a place in this modern era.

Sotsha Moyo, the director of Black Umfolosi, believes that imbube music will live forever.

"Imbube music still has a following here in our country but what is surprising is that it seems to be appreciated better in European countries. This is why our group is in Europe most of the time.

Imbube will never be overtaken by other genres such as House and Hip-hop although these are loved by mostly youths. Our music is original and it is here to stay because its roots are intertwined with our culture as black people," Moyo said.

Commenting on its reception by youths, Moyo added:

"Youths truly love our hymns and whenever we stage live shows you see them fascinated because imbube sounds new to them yet it is part of their cultural identity."

Black Umfolosi was formed in 1982 and has been to several countries abroad. Its accapella music tackles a number of social issues such as human rights, forgiveness, love, HIV/Aids and education.

For every genre to remain relevant to fans it has to move with the times.

Some of the imbube groups such as Impumelelo Shining Stars, a local gospel outfit based in South Africa, seem to have mastered this issue of relevancy. The group was formed in 2001 with the aim of spreading the gospel through imbube.

Thembelani Ndlovu, the group's coordinator, said they always strive to remain relevant.

"Imbube music is traditional and in order for imbube groups to survive especially in this modern society where people easily get fascinated by computerised music, they have to modernise their work too," said Ndlovu.

In February this year, Impumelelo Shining Stars released its 14-track album titled Amaqhinga aphelile, featuring Joseph Tshabalala.

Tshabalala is a South African music icon within the accapella circles and founder of Black Mambazo group.

Imbube groups made up of mainly men do not use instruments such as guitars, drums or piano.