Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi (Harare, Zimbabwe, 22 September 1952 – 23 January 20… Read Full Bio ↴Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi (Harare, Zimbabwe, 22 September 1952 – 23 January 2019) was a Zimbabwean singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Mtukudzi released his debut single, "Stop After Orange," in 1975. Two years later, he began performing with the Wagon Wheels, a group who also featured Thomas Mapfumo. By 1979, he had left to pursue a solo career. Taking several of the band's musicians with him, he formed a new group, the Black Spirits. Their debut single, "Dzandimomotera," sold enough copies to qualify for gold record status. As a solo artist, Mtukudzi had his first successes shortly after Zimbabwe declared its independence in 1980. His debut solo album, Africa, included two hits: "Zimbabwe" and "Mazongonyedze." Mtukudzi has consistently balanced his musical career with his passion for film and drama. In addition to appearing in several documentaries on Zimbabwean music, including the BBC-produced Under African Skies and The Soul of the Mbira, he starred in Jit, the first film featuring an all-Zimbabwean cast. He also played a prominent role in, as well as composed and arranged the soundtrack for, Zimbabwe's second film, Neria. His work earned him a M'Net award for Best Soundtrack of 1992. Mtukudzi subsequently wrote and directed the musical production Was My Child (Plight of Street Children). With the accompaniment of the Black Spirits or the 12-piece supergroup Mahube, Mtukuduzi continued to tour and record.
The album Mahube was released in October 1998. The album Tuku Music, spent 11 weeks at the top of the CMJ New World Music charts. After the album's release, Mutukudzi toured the United States and Canada, along with Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabate and Baaba Maal, as part of Africa Fête 1999. The album Paivepo reached the top position on Zimbabwe's music charts the first week after its release in November 1999.
Mtukudzi released his debut single, "Stop After Orange," in 1975. Two years later, he began performing with the Wagon Wheels, a group who also featured Thomas Mapfumo. By 1979, he had left to pursue a solo career. Taking several of the band's musicians with him, he formed a new group, the Black Spirits. Their debut single, "Dzandimomotera," sold enough copies to qualify for gold record status. As a solo artist, Mtukudzi had his first successes shortly after Zimbabwe declared its independence in 1980. His debut solo album, Africa, included two hits: "Zimbabwe" and "Mazongonyedze." Mtukudzi has consistently balanced his musical career with his passion for film and drama. In addition to appearing in several documentaries on Zimbabwean music, including the BBC-produced Under African Skies and The Soul of the Mbira, he starred in Jit, the first film featuring an all-Zimbabwean cast. He also played a prominent role in, as well as composed and arranged the soundtrack for, Zimbabwe's second film, Neria. His work earned him a M'Net award for Best Soundtrack of 1992. Mtukudzi subsequently wrote and directed the musical production Was My Child (Plight of Street Children). With the accompaniment of the Black Spirits or the 12-piece supergroup Mahube, Mtukuduzi continued to tour and record.
The album Mahube was released in October 1998. The album Tuku Music, spent 11 weeks at the top of the CMJ New World Music charts. After the album's release, Mutukudzi toured the United States and Canada, along with Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabate and Baaba Maal, as part of Africa Fête 1999. The album Paivepo reached the top position on Zimbabwe's music charts the first week after its release in November 1999.
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Neria
Oliver Mtukudzi Lyrics
Chengetai Chengetai mai na baba Chengetai mai na baba avai ka Chenget…
Ghetto Boy Hahaha I was born in the ghetto And my dad is in…
Kugara Nhaka Kugara nhaka varume (varume) Kuona dzavamwe (dzavamwe) Kugar…
Mean What You Say Oh Grandpa told me he said, Grandson you have a…
Muchatuta Iwe uchatuta Iwe uchatuta ka Iwe muchatuta we katsande Mwan…
Neria Neria Neria ho Usawore moyo ka Neria Mwari anewe Usawore moy…
Pss pss Hallo Haunyare pese pese Hallo pese pese pss pss Haunyare pese pes…
Right Direction Usaseke akwira mumbombera Usaseke apinda mumbombera Usaseke …
Tinomuchema Gashirai mwana wenyu uyu Mugare naye hoo nemufaro Gashirai (…
Saxton
on Ziwere
I’m Shona and these lyrics are totally wrong. This song has no reference to intimacy. Tiki never sang along those lines
MuLUMICHIMPI MUYANDA
on Raki
you miss leading people about the meaning of the song raki..... Oliver was wandering how lucky some are and where luck comes from and who gives luck basically... not about the traditional beer no no!
Masibae Shumbaress
on Nyanga Yenzou (Munoshusha)
Lol the person who translated this is definitely not native. FYI Zim used to use English money (ma Pondo) pounds prior to independence. Basically the singer (a son-in-law) who paid bride price in full is complaining that his Father-in-law (tezvara) keeps trying to extort him (Nyanga ye nzou and chipembere, elephant tusk and rhino horn respectively are illegal so how can the son-in-law meet the unreasonable demands?)
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
I'm afraid the translation is off by quite a margin. This song is about being famous and the consequences of fame. He basically implies that if he had known the consequences of being famous he might not have pursued the career he pursued. He speaks of how God gave some talents or gifts that allow them to enjoy success peacefully. He likens fame to "hurimbo", a sticky substance used to trap birds. He also, in the first verse uses the metaphor of an owl, saying "If I'd recognized an owl while it was still a chick, I would have said 'No way', because rearing it has consequences." Owls are viewed as bad omens, creatures used in witchcraft, bad luck like a black cat. So yeah, the translation is way off.
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
Fame is a trap
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
I would have said no in the first place
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
Some you gave gifts, gifts with no fame
Tman
on Mbiri hurimbo
Any one can give the meaning of Jehova une Masimba
Juliet David
on Hakuna Zita
Lots of love from Port Harcourt Nigeria. I love his all his music too much
Kalala
on Vachakunonokera
Great song , especially the jazz kick