Entertainment / Celebrity
Prophet Makandiwa revives Zhakata career
21 Jan 2015 at 04:34hrs | Views
VETERAN musician Leonard "Karikoga" Zhakata almost abandoned music in 2012 after the release of his album Gotwe.
Yes, quit music! The Mugove hitmaker told NewsDay on the sidelines of the 2014 Coca-Cola Radio Zimbabwe Top 50 prize presentation ceremony held at Mandel Training Centre, Harare, yesterday, he almost dumped the guitar.
Interestingly, it would have been symbolic with the album title Gotwe, which means last born.
"For years as an artiste the message in my songs was centred on addressing the social plight. However, towards the new millennium things changed and my music was blacklisted from radio," Zhakata said.
"Some people thought my music incited people to take certain action."
The musician argued that it was because of listeners who misconstrued some lyrics while others literally rewrote his music putting in new lyrics to suit them in the social sphere.
When Zhakata released the album Hodho, it had several tracks banned on local radio stations as they were perceived to be politically incorrect.
"During that period I contemplated changing the content and lyrics, but at the same time I felt it was going to be difficult for my followers to accept the change and I decided to quit instead," Zhakata said.
Zhakata said he saw it wise to quit music rather than concentrate on releasing songs that could not reach his intended audience.
"It was after United Family International Church leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa's preaching though he did not mention my name, the sermon of the day I considered it a direct prophecy to me and suddenly changed my mind," Zhakata said.
At yesterday's event, Zhakata received $2 000 and a hamper from Delta Beverages, who are the sponsors of the competition, for being the overall winner.
His songs Dhonza Makomborero and Dollar Boy respectively from his latest offering Zvangu Zvaita were voted for first and second position.
Contemporary musician Jah Prayzah received $500 and a hamper for his songs Kumbumura Mhute and Makanika which came third and fourth respectively.
Gospel songstress Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave came fifth with the track Gore Rapera that featured Jah Prayzah and received $300 and a hamper.
Ammara Brown received $200 and a hamper for her song Kure that featured Jah Prayzah.
At the same event, eight lucky Radio Zimbabwe listeners who predicted the top five in its correct order also received prizes.
Georgina Mabhakuwa from Mhondoro received the first prize of a 40-inch LED colour television set with Tafadzwa Nyamauwa from Nyamapanda receiving the second prize of a 32-inch LED colour TV.
The duo of Simon Zvikonyangwa from Magunje and Svosve Muranganwa from Kwekwe received radios for coming third and fourth respectively.
Aaron Smoke from Guruve, Janet Chiradza from Murehwa, Prudence Kashiri from Mt Darwin and Modester Bwanema all received cellphones.
The 2014 edition of the competition was the first to be won by a female listener.
Yes, quit music! The Mugove hitmaker told NewsDay on the sidelines of the 2014 Coca-Cola Radio Zimbabwe Top 50 prize presentation ceremony held at Mandel Training Centre, Harare, yesterday, he almost dumped the guitar.
Interestingly, it would have been symbolic with the album title Gotwe, which means last born.
"For years as an artiste the message in my songs was centred on addressing the social plight. However, towards the new millennium things changed and my music was blacklisted from radio," Zhakata said.
"Some people thought my music incited people to take certain action."
The musician argued that it was because of listeners who misconstrued some lyrics while others literally rewrote his music putting in new lyrics to suit them in the social sphere.
When Zhakata released the album Hodho, it had several tracks banned on local radio stations as they were perceived to be politically incorrect.
"During that period I contemplated changing the content and lyrics, but at the same time I felt it was going to be difficult for my followers to accept the change and I decided to quit instead," Zhakata said.
Zhakata said he saw it wise to quit music rather than concentrate on releasing songs that could not reach his intended audience.
At yesterday's event, Zhakata received $2 000 and a hamper from Delta Beverages, who are the sponsors of the competition, for being the overall winner.
His songs Dhonza Makomborero and Dollar Boy respectively from his latest offering Zvangu Zvaita were voted for first and second position.
Contemporary musician Jah Prayzah received $500 and a hamper for his songs Kumbumura Mhute and Makanika which came third and fourth respectively.
Gospel songstress Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave came fifth with the track Gore Rapera that featured Jah Prayzah and received $300 and a hamper.
Ammara Brown received $200 and a hamper for her song Kure that featured Jah Prayzah.
At the same event, eight lucky Radio Zimbabwe listeners who predicted the top five in its correct order also received prizes.
Georgina Mabhakuwa from Mhondoro received the first prize of a 40-inch LED colour television set with Tafadzwa Nyamauwa from Nyamapanda receiving the second prize of a 32-inch LED colour TV.
The duo of Simon Zvikonyangwa from Magunje and Svosve Muranganwa from Kwekwe received radios for coming third and fourth respectively.
Aaron Smoke from Guruve, Janet Chiradza from Murehwa, Prudence Kashiri from Mt Darwin and Modester Bwanema all received cellphones.
The 2014 edition of the competition was the first to be won by a female listener.
Source - newsday
