Celebrating 40 years of Tuku music

Oliver Mtukudzi celebrates 40 years in music with a show at Pakaye Paye Arts Centre. The show will feature Ringo Madlingozi, Suluman Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah, Munya Mataruse, Diva Mafunga, Donald Kanyuchi and Chiedza Chevatendi.

Ahead of the celebrations, Sharon Kavhu had an interview with the musician about his music career. The interview was first published by our sister paper The Southern Times and below are excerpts of the article:

Sharon Kavhu (SK): You have been in the music industry for the past 40 years, how does that make you feel and what does it mean to your career?

Oliver Mtukudzi (OM): Special! It makes me feel so special even though every single day is special to me. My presence in the industry for this long shows that I am fulfilling what I was called to do in this life and I am grateful to God because he made it possible.

SK: What keeps "Mdara Tuku" going and energetic?

OM: God's grace keeps me going. If it was not for his grace and gift of life, I would not have been here with you chatting like we are doing. The fact that you have actually made it here is evidence of God's grace.

SK: How do you see the future of the music industry given the rising levels of piracy and poor returns for musicians?

OM: Piracy will always be there and the music industry can still grow and be sustainable as long as we have real musicians in Zimbabwe.

Being a musician is not all about getting money but to tell messages through music and entertain people. If you see a musician giving up on his or her career, it means that person was never an artist but a business person who is merely looking for money through music. As for me, I am an artist and I cannot run away from myself, thus I will continue singing even if piracy is stealing from the industry.

SK: There are so many upcoming musicians who see you as a teacher, mentor and parent. What are you are your plans in supporting them now and in the future?

OM: My dear, there is no such thing as an upcoming artists. You can't have someone recording and producing music and still being referred to as "upcoming". The word "upcoming artists" was initiated by the white settlers who had intentions of undermining us native musicians. Therefore, an artiste is an artiste.

Of course, I might be a mentor to other artistes but I can never be a teacher to all because every musician has a unique talent. If you know that every musician has a unique talent, you will understand that I am not necessarily a teacher.

As such, I also learn skills and other things from other musicians, it is not always about me doing the teaching. At the same time, I don't plan on supporting artistes but, if they come seeking assistance, I try by all means to assist them.

SK: Your musical legacy is rich, how do you want people at local and regional level to remember you?

OM: I want people to remember me as a Zimbabwean artist because that's who I am.

SK: The death of your son (Sam) left a huge hole in your life, how have you managed to overcome grief and to go on without your beloved son?

OM: Bridging the emptiness that was created by Sam's death is a process. I am still trying to overcome the grief by continuing to sing songs on stage. Singing a song on stage has been helping me healing over the loss.

Since the year of his death, I started having so many shows because the moment I sang on stage I felt better. Every time I am on stage, I imagine myself sharing the stage with him and that brings healing to my soul.

A prayer is also an obvious measure that is helping me to get over him.

SK: What are your expectations for the event to celebrate 40 years of Tuku Music?

OM: The day (today) is not my day but of my fans, promoters, producers and other artists who have contributed in the progression of my music. As such, I expect to please everyone who is going to join me in celebrating my 40 years of being in the music industry.