ARGUABLY the most successful musician in Zimbabwe and even in the region, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, a role model to many both on the showbiz scene and off the stage, today celebrates a music journey spanning 40 years at his Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
An array of musicians, among them South African icon, Ringo Madlingozi, Sulumani Chimbetu, Munya Mataruse, Diva Mafunga, Donald Kanyuchi, Sebastian Magacha, Chiedza Chevatendi and Jah Prayzah will join the icon in celebrating his 40-year music journey and his achievements since he went professional in 1975.
Some of the musicians performing at the concert have done collaborations in the studio and will be presenting their duets on the day.
Tuku has done duets with Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah, Mafunga and Mataruse, among others.
NewsDay caught up with the musician, who spoke exclusively about his much-travelled music journey, saying he feels he has a lot to offer ahead of today’s Celebrating 40 Years of Tuku Music concert.
While many would want to believe that after the 40 years in music Tuku would quit, the Tozeza Baba singer says he is still deciding on which career to take.
“Music is not a career for me, I am actually deciding which career to take, whether to be a builder or teacher. I am still thinking what to do when I grow up,” he chuckled.
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Speaking on the current generation of musicians and new genres such as dancehall, Tuku said God does not duplicate talent, meaning there is no one better than the other.
“Yes we have new talent emerging which is doing great, I cannot do what they are doing and they also cannot do what I am doing,” he said.
As one of the long-serving musicians in an industry that is unforgiving, Tuku attributes his success to the Almighty.
Beyond the stage as many only know Tuku as an entertainer, the musician said he was an ordinary Zimbabwean, a husband and a father.
Tuku said he had difficulties distinguishing a weekend from working day, as there was no difference from his work schedule.
Tuku congratulated daughter, Selmor for scooping the Hottest Female Single award at the inaugural African Entertainment Awards held in New Jersey, United States, recently, despite reports of bad blood between the two.
“I want to congratulate my daughter, Selmor for working hard in her music career. I am glad she implemented my advice that she must work hard in her career and it has achieved results and I am happy for her,” he said.
“She must continue working hard, winning an award is not success, since in art there is no success, but achievement. If you have achieved, you have started the journey with a hard road. It is a journey that she has to walk on her own without anyone’s help, and that has helped me in my career.”
Speaking on the death of his son, Sam, who died in a car crash near his Norton home on March 15, 2010, Tuku said the death was a permanent scar he and his wife have to live with.
“When I lost my son, I am, even today, still learning to live with it, it is not like a hump that you will forget about. I am learning to accept it and my wife [Daisy] has stood with me, but above all it is through God that we have managed to console each other,” he said.
“I could not stop being who I am after the death of Sam because I would be killing myself . . . We had to learn that the scar is permanent, but life must not come to an end because of the wound.”
Tuku refuses to recognise and acknowledge the biography written by his former publicist, Shepherd Mutamba.
“I have not had the opportunity to read the book because I do not know it. I don’t think it is a topic to discuss,” he said.
Born on September 22, 1952, in Highfield, Harare, the Ndagarwa Nhaka singer is considered Zimbabwe’s most renowned and internationally-recognised artiste.
He began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Chimurenga musician Thomas Mapfumo.
With his husky voice, Tuku has become the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe onto the international scene, earning him a devoted following across Africa and beyond.
With 63 albums to his name, the musician has toured several countries and has been endorsed by many companies as their brand ambassador.
Tuku expressed gratitude to those who supported him in his career.
“I want to thank our fans and everyone who supported me in this music journey, as I did not do it alone. I also want to salute those whom I cannot make happy as they also gave me the strength to reach this 40-year music journey doing what I am doing,” he said.
“For those who have supported me, let them also do it to other artistes be poets, actors, dancers and even journalists.”
