Jah Prayzah’s dilemma

TAWANDA MARWIZI

When Jah Prayzah announced that his 2016 album will be titled “Mudhara Vachauya” many thought it was aimed at rival artistes who had released albums in the same year.

Alick Macheso had released “Tsoka Dzerwendo”, Leonard Zhakata had released “Mutunga Dzose” while Oliver Mtukudzi had released “Eheka Nhai Yahwe”.

It turned out that the song “Mudhara Vachauya” was a love song.

Despite it being a love song, the hit was adopted as a Zanu PF anthem used mainly for the President Robert Mugabe’s entry.

A year later, the musician released another album “Kutonga Kwaro” which largely turned out to be prophetic as it fitted perfectly with the political events of November.

It had two songs; “Masoja” and the title track that had messages relating to the November political incidents that saw the resignation of President Mugabe from the presidency.

However, the two songs have largely been interpreted as political and are facing resistance at some of his shows. While Jah Prayzah has on several occasions denied any political links, he has had to rethink his upcoming album.

As he prepares for a new album that will be launched next month, the musician is caught between a rock and a hard place.

Will the musician release another album that will be linked to a political party?

Has the musician learnt lessons from previous incidents where he could not perform perceived political songs at his shows?

His manager Keen Mushapaidze said they were entertainers and not affiliated to any political party in the country.

“Musicians are just entertainers but sometimes when they sing people take the message to suit their own situations and in that a musician cannot stop them because his part is to release and entertain,” he said.

Mushapaidze said they were still to come up with the name of the album because Jah Prayzah was still in the studio.

“We were supposed to release the dates of the launch and the name on Friday but he is still in the studio and it is difficult f o r him to come up with a name. Also we have realised that the venue is booked on our proposed dates,” he said.

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