TALENTED bass guitarist Howard Pinjisi is confident that sungura music will remain the most listened-to genre in the country as it dominates sales and airplay.
Pinjisi’s discography has been steadily growing over the years through his message-filled and enchanting albums such as Umbiridzo (2008), Dadiso (2010), Chenjedzo (2012), Chirambawasara (2015) and Hukuru Ndehwashe (2018).
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style, Pinjisi said he took part in the recording of five albums during his six-year stint with Ngwenya Brothers led by Tedious Matsito and was also part of the Gift Amuli’s Zvishavane Sounds, which produced the hit album By Ginya.
Backed by the Ndorochena Express, Pinjisi dominated airwaves in 2012 through his popular hit Vashamarari off the album Dadiso.
“I am basically a self-taught guitarist and I perfected the gift when I joined Tedious Matsito’s Ngwenya Brothers,” he said.
“It [Joining Ngwenya Brothers] was my career’s launchpad. I took part in the making of chart-topping hits like Manyemwe Emhuru.
“I strengthened my desire for writing songs about love, lifestyle and cultural issues and after leaving Zvishavane Sounds, I felt I had acquired enough experience to run my own band.”
Pinjisi added that up-and-coming musicians should be advised to refine their acts ahead of anything else if they are to last in the competitive industry.
He started playing a self-made guitar at the age of nine and his ability to learn fast was good enough for him settle well in Ngwenya Brothers, then led by the late Matsito.
Pinjisi joined the Ngwenya Brothers after completing his Ordinary Levels.
Today, Pinjisi and his Ndorochena Express Band are one of the most widely sought after entertainers.
Sungura music at one time had been supplanted by Zimdancehall, a genre that rose around 2010.
The new genre’s artistes were quick to get recognition as they composed and released songs in a day, taking advantage of the new multimedia and messaging applications to share it.
It meant their music was less expensive to record, music beats were readily available and it appealed to the Gen Z.
“I worked with seasoned musicians like Matsito and Gift Amuli and I liked their levels of commitment to producing good and quality music,” Pinjisi said.
“Alick Macheso remains iconic as he has so far attained a lifelong achievement as a king of sungura music. His consistency in dishing out over 12 award-winning albums reflects the amount of effort he attaches to his works.”
Pinjisi said although he was not much into debates that compare musicians, he also liked Mark Ngwazi, adding that “it is up to the people to decide [who is better]”.
“People buy music without any favour for any artiste. They just buy good music or attend live shows to be entertained,” he said.
“That being the case, all our criticisms and advise to each other must be constructive and helping us as musicians to work hard so that we satisfy the desires of our diverse audience.”
Pinjisi said to show his commitment to music, he had invested in a public address system, a band kit and a branded commuter omnibus which carries the band to shows.
“We have since found our ground on the online music spaces. Long live sungura music.”
