Entertainment / Music
Tuku, Zahara set for duet
03 Mar 2013 at 00:38hrs | Views
He has collaborated with Africa's finest, among them Siphokazi, Cesaria Evora, Ringo Madlingozo, Jaziel Brothers, Judith Sephuma and several local acts - yet there is still one that could shock many. Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi's camp is frantically seeking the wonder voice of South African singing sensation Bulelwa Mkutukana aka Zahara for a collaboration that could outdo even the widely popular "Into Yami" (which features Ringo).
Zahara is expected in the country this week for a Friday performance at the magnificent Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) in what would be her fourth visit to Zimbabwe.
She has previously filled to capacity the HICC, performed to an impressive crowd at the Borrowdale Race Course with Winky D, mesmerised fans in Vic Falls last December and is "thrilled to be back" where it all started, the HICC.
However, it is not her guitar-playing prowess, stage presence, sing-along tunes and her smooth voice that will make the headlines, rather it will be her time in the studio with Tuku, if the deal materialises.
Tuku's manager, Sam Mataure, who spent several years in South Africa working with an array of artistes in that country, believes a collaboration between the Zimbabwean superstar and the South African songbird will spur them to even greater global success.
The Norton-based Tuku, who is set to embark on a world tour before month-end is hugely popular in South Africa and his collaboration with the multi-award winning Zahara, would be phenomenal.
Said Mataure: "We are going to try and make sure that this collaboration comes sooner rather than later. We have shared the stage with Zahara both in South Africa and Zimbabwe, but we have never been this close.
"This is the opportunity for Zahara to make her Zimbabwean fans believe in her even more. As Tuku Music we will make use of the time that we will have with her."
Mataure, who is arguably one of the most experienced and talented drummers in the country, said besides having a collaboration on the cards, the Friday show was unique in its own way.
"We are playing with two youthful musicians, Kawara and Zahara. This is what Tuku loves more than anything ' having to share notes with younger fresh minds on a stage that has everyone looking.
"So come Friday, I know that our camp will be in high spirits, because Tuku will be on cloud nine as well. With Zahara's history of success in the country and Alexio's insatiable appetite for advancement - that HICC stage is going to be on fire," said Mataure.
"There will be so much energy it will be like a festival," he added.
Although, Zahara's handlers could not respond to specific questions about the diva's plans with Tuku, the South African already showed her weakness for Zimbabweans when she collaborated with South African-based Zimbabwean DJ, George Munetsi.
Munetsi, who is a radio presenter with Khaya FM, collaborated with Zahara on the award-winning bi-lingual song "Incwad'encane" and the song has been one of the favourites whenever the South African songstress performs in the country.
The Friday show, which is the first big show featuring an international artiste this year, features Samanyanga as Tuku is referred to by his adoring fans and the evergreen Alexio Kawara.
Organised by veteran music promoter Chris Musabayana of Ghetto Fabulous and growing electronics company Cellone Electronics, the show has many a music fan's appetite adequately whet.
The show's success, if not for Alexio's classic performances that are filled with effortless energy then it will be for Zahara's inexhaustible liveliness or the never-say-die attitude of Zimbabwe's biggest artiste, Tuku.
While most Zimbabwean music promoters prefer to mix crowds and have a variety of genres for a single show, Alexio who has five albums under his belt commands the same quality crowd s both Tuku and Zahara - making the HICC show one of its kind.
Zahara was born in the Phumlani informal settlement outside of East London in Eastern Cape, South Africa, where she lived with her parents Nokhaya and Mlamli Mkutukana. Her stage name Zahara means blooming flower.
She released her debut album, "Loliwe", in 2011 which proved to be a big success as it went Platinum in 13 days and went double platinum after just 17 days, selling over 100 000 copies in South Africa.
At the annual South African Music Awards in 2012, Zahara won eight awards, including best female artiste and album of the year.
Zahara is expected in the country this week for a Friday performance at the magnificent Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) in what would be her fourth visit to Zimbabwe.
She has previously filled to capacity the HICC, performed to an impressive crowd at the Borrowdale Race Course with Winky D, mesmerised fans in Vic Falls last December and is "thrilled to be back" where it all started, the HICC.
However, it is not her guitar-playing prowess, stage presence, sing-along tunes and her smooth voice that will make the headlines, rather it will be her time in the studio with Tuku, if the deal materialises.
Tuku's manager, Sam Mataure, who spent several years in South Africa working with an array of artistes in that country, believes a collaboration between the Zimbabwean superstar and the South African songbird will spur them to even greater global success.
The Norton-based Tuku, who is set to embark on a world tour before month-end is hugely popular in South Africa and his collaboration with the multi-award winning Zahara, would be phenomenal.
Said Mataure: "We are going to try and make sure that this collaboration comes sooner rather than later. We have shared the stage with Zahara both in South Africa and Zimbabwe, but we have never been this close.
"This is the opportunity for Zahara to make her Zimbabwean fans believe in her even more. As Tuku Music we will make use of the time that we will have with her."
Mataure, who is arguably one of the most experienced and talented drummers in the country, said besides having a collaboration on the cards, the Friday show was unique in its own way.
"We are playing with two youthful musicians, Kawara and Zahara. This is what Tuku loves more than anything ' having to share notes with younger fresh minds on a stage that has everyone looking.
"So come Friday, I know that our camp will be in high spirits, because Tuku will be on cloud nine as well. With Zahara's history of success in the country and Alexio's insatiable appetite for advancement - that HICC stage is going to be on fire," said Mataure.
"There will be so much energy it will be like a festival," he added.
Although, Zahara's handlers could not respond to specific questions about the diva's plans with Tuku, the South African already showed her weakness for Zimbabweans when she collaborated with South African-based Zimbabwean DJ, George Munetsi.
Munetsi, who is a radio presenter with Khaya FM, collaborated with Zahara on the award-winning bi-lingual song "Incwad'encane" and the song has been one of the favourites whenever the South African songstress performs in the country.
The Friday show, which is the first big show featuring an international artiste this year, features Samanyanga as Tuku is referred to by his adoring fans and the evergreen Alexio Kawara.
Organised by veteran music promoter Chris Musabayana of Ghetto Fabulous and growing electronics company Cellone Electronics, the show has many a music fan's appetite adequately whet.
The show's success, if not for Alexio's classic performances that are filled with effortless energy then it will be for Zahara's inexhaustible liveliness or the never-say-die attitude of Zimbabwe's biggest artiste, Tuku.
While most Zimbabwean music promoters prefer to mix crowds and have a variety of genres for a single show, Alexio who has five albums under his belt commands the same quality crowd s both Tuku and Zahara - making the HICC show one of its kind.
Zahara was born in the Phumlani informal settlement outside of East London in Eastern Cape, South Africa, where she lived with her parents Nokhaya and Mlamli Mkutukana. Her stage name Zahara means blooming flower.
She released her debut album, "Loliwe", in 2011 which proved to be a big success as it went Platinum in 13 days and went double platinum after just 17 days, selling over 100 000 copies in South Africa.
At the annual South African Music Awards in 2012, Zahara won eight awards, including best female artiste and album of the year.
Source - sundaymail
