Majaivana drops a new album

AN apple does not fall far from a tree and as often said, like father like son. This aptly describes Randal Robinson Majaivana, son of the legendary Lovemore Majaivana - Majee as he is affectionately known.

Randal, who tried his hand in the music industry in 2004, had tried to ignore his passion for music but he has bounced back with an album that will surely bring back the good old days when his father was around.

Randi Majaivana, as he prefers to call himself, is Majee's son with an Indian woman Jennifer Robinson whom he sang about in one of his hits, Ikula lami.

Over the years, there have been cries, passionate pleas for the legendary Majaivana to come back from abroad and continue to churn out more music.

Unfortunately, the pleas and mourns seem to be falling on deaf ears as Majaivana has turned his back on the music industry despite the fact that he is very talented.

His son, Derrick, is still trying to follow his father's footsteps. His fans have been patient but he seems not to be delivering as expected.

Majaivana is still regarded as one of Zimbabwe's greatest musicians and who would deny that?

Some have regarded him as an unsung hero who left for Harare as his own people in Bulawayo seemed to shun him. He later left for the United States of America where he is now based.

In the midst of all these happenings, a common culture of young musicians taking after their fathers and trying to make a name for themselves has become the order of the day.

Randi (26) is an apple that has not fallen far away from the tree as his voice resembles his father's.

Saturday Leisure had a chance to get a feel of the new album Vukani Bazali and talked to the young man about his life and music career.

Randi, who grew up in Kwekwe, said he has always had a passion for music from back in the day.

"I composed my first track, Waphul' inhliziyo when I was 17 years old. I was influenced a lot by western music such that in 2004 I came into the scene with my album I love you, I was into soul music. But it did not do well on the scene and I decided to take a break," he said.

It was indeed a long break from the industry and some would probably be wondering what took him so long to bounce back.

"I was not into music full-time. I was going to school by that time and I work in Kwekwe as a stock control clerk.

"My passion for music did not stop there. I still loved music but I was concentrating on my studies," said Majaivana.

What might have moved him to revive his career?

"Three years ago, Albert Nyathi called me and encouraged me to re-think about my music career. He told me to try the Majaivana kind of music but I didn't take it seriously until last year. He gave me the idea and I thought why not," he said.

A father of two, Randi said he then began composing his tracks and went into the studio in January.

He said despite what happened between his father and mother back in the day, he grew up listening to his father's music together with his family.

"They appreciated my father's music very much and they used to have his albums at home," said the young musician.

Majee has been silent for a long time and many are still wondering what really could have triggered his silence.

"I last spoke to my father three years ago and he advised me to stay strictly focused on my studies as opposed to music. He said education was very important," he said.

Probably many would say the young man wants to ride on his father's name but he said:

"I think no-one can run away from the fact that I am Lovemore Majaivana's son. I know that if I do rubbish ngiyangcolisa ibizo likababa but if I do good then it's also good. It is up to the people to decide but I will keep trying," said Majaivana.

The budding artiste never got a chance to learn Ndebele at school but learnt it from his paternal grandmother. He said he was working on musical videos which he says would be available for national television soon.

It would be a good thing if he were to work on a collaboration with his brother Derrick in the future.

"Derrick is the heir and I am not planning to challenge him and we have good relations. The only challenge that we have is that he stays in Harare and I stay in Kwekwe so it is hard for us to meet as we have other commitments besides music. But with time I hope we will work together," Randi said.

Vukani Bazali has six tracks Okwabantu, Mama, Mbulali, Highlander-a dedication to Highlanders Football Club – Ntombi Yami, Ingaphi Imali, Waphul' nhliziyo and the title track Vukani bazali.