PERHAPS his actual name sums it all.
Braveman Chizvino Mwanza, commonly known as Baba Harare, indeed took a brave leap of faith to be his own man when all odds were staked against him. Perhaps taking a cue from his middle name Chizvino, he realised it was time.
Like his last name, Mwanza, which means the great in a Zambian dialect, the jiti singer has for the past five years strived to be one of Zimbabwe’s greatest musicians.
Born in rural Bikita, the man dared to conquer Harare, hence the moniker Baba Harare.
Now that he has conquered the capital city, he can arguably declare himself the “Zimbabwean Giant”.
Rewind a few years ago, multi-award-winning Jah Prayzah discovered Baba Harare when he was working with Sigma Boys, a virtually unknown musical outfit in the backwaters of Bikita.
The Bikita-born jiti music star made his name as a backing vocalist and lead guitarist for Jah Prayzah’s Third Generation band before he weaned himself from his mentor’s shadow to be a musician in his own right.
After an eight-year stint under the stewardship of Jah Prayzah, Baba Harare like his real name, took a brave man’s decision to go solo around 2017 to become the frontman for The City Vibration band.
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His decision to “dump” Jah Prayzah came as a surprise to many considering that the Tsviriyo hitmaker had established himself as a brand sought after by many fans, corporates and promoters.
Undeniably, such decisions are tough but good for his ego. Baba Harare may not admit it, but it may have not been easy for him to desert the Third Generation band just like how sungura kingpin Alick Macheso did when he left the once vibrant Khiama Boys to form Orchestra Mberikwazvo.
While a lot of theories including being financially short-changed circulated in showbiz corridors when Baba Harare left Third Generation, he is, however, on record saying theirs was not a bitter separation.
At first to many followers of showbiz matters it appeared as if Baba Harare’s decision was a leap into the dark, but God knew what was in store for him.
For abandoning the steady ship, Baba Harare faced a lot of criticism considering that some who decided to take the same route like Macheso’s former band member Franco “Slomo” Dhaka found himself in the cold after his departure from Orchestra Mberikwazvo.
Undoubtedly, Baba Harare has managed to position himself as a force to reckon with on the showbiz scene and he has continued to prove to the world that he has what it takes to stand on his own in the cut-throat music industry.
He has managed to build, grow and sustain his brand and in confirmation of his prowess, he is also being engaged by both music promoters and corporates for performances at big stages not only locally, but abroad as far as United Kingdom.
He has churned out hit after hit that include The Reason Why — popularly known as Hat Dzemurara — Stumbo, Guzuzu and Rita that features controversial socialite Mai Titi.
As he soldiers on, Baba Harare tonight adds another album, Zimbabwean Giant to his discography that previously had Chikwama Changu, Minamato Yemarasta, Ramba Wakadzvanya, Izvi Zvinoitirwei Izvi, Generator and Vaccine.
The nine-track album, that comes as an early Christmas gift for his fans, will be Baba Harare’s seventh production, and will be launched at Bar Rouge, at Jongwe Corner in Hatfield, Harare.
Those wishing to attend the launch have to part with US$10 for ordinary and US$20 for VIP tickets.
This album comes loaded with collaborations as confirmed by Baba Harare’s manager Gift Petro to NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, who added that they were optimistic that people will easily relate to the album that mostly talks about love relationships.
“We are happy that the day has come, all is set for the launch of our seventh album titled Zimbabwean Giant. We urge music fans to come in their numbers and witness another milestone as we continue to take our music to another level,” he said.
“Our promise is that we will continue to work hard releasing songs that will entertain our fans who have been supporting us since day one.”
Songs on the album are Wandibaya Moyo, Ndauya featuring dancehall singer Freeman and Dan Lu P, Madhunamutuna, Munotichengeta featuring gospel singer Munyaradzi Munodawafa, Haubvire featuring Jah Prayzah, Akanaka, Poto Inopisa featuring Mai Titi, Terera Mitemo featuring dancehall chanter Blot and Wazonditenderedza Pfungwa featuring urban groover ExQ.
It remains to be seen what ingredients makes up Zimbabwean Giant at a time some people have expressed mixed feelings over some lyrics on his songs like Guzuzu and Automatically, but the singer has, however, defended the songs saying there is nothing mischievous about them because jiti songs are meant to make certain connotations.
Only time will tell whether or not Baba Harare will maintain the momentum.
Follow Winstone on Twitter @widzonato
