STAFF WRITER
Contemporary musician Jah Prayzah has recorded a special song to honour the late music icon and national hero Oliver Mtukudzi.
The musician penned an emotional medium paced track which fuses his traditional and Afro-pop like sound in remembrance of Tuku’s well-known sound. JP Studios was on Monday making finishing touches to the song.
The song repeatedly calls Mtukudzi by his totem Samanyanga, as he was affectionately known.
In his early days in the industry, Jah Prayzah collaborated with Mtukudzi to produce hit song, “Cecilia”.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) we will be releasing a tribute song for Dr Oliver Mtukudzi as a way of expressing my emotions. During the funeral I could not say much because emotions overwhelmed me, so we decided to take to the microphone to best express how I feel about the musician,” Jah Prayzah said in an interview.
“I took my time to express myself; others did so in their speeches but I express myself best in the studio.”
Jah Prayzah said he had a close relationship with the late music icon and national hero.
“Sometimes he would just pass through my office without notice just to check up on me. He was a father to me.”
Jah Prayzah said he had been inspired by testimonies from upcoming musicians who had been assisted by the late icon and his hope was that he would follow the same route to inspire those who want to venture into the arts.
“He would first assess if a musician was serious with his work. I am sure every musician would love to leave that legacy. As JP music company we will do our best in assisting upcoming musicians,” he said.
Jah Prayzah has to date made a long list of collaborations with local upcoming and established musicians across genres. He also boasts of successful collaborations with regional musicians like Nigerian star Davido, Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz and Saouth Africa’s Mafikizolo.
