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.
Magumo
Oliver Mtukudzi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uzotholani ngalokho?
Uzophelelaphi?
Oh uzophelelaphi?
Kuzvirova dundundu
Tozvinzwa kuti ndisu tiri pano (magumo acho chii?)
Tingazvirove matundundu
Todadira vamwe kutsvinya
Kuvaona sevasi vanhu, uzotholani ngaloko? (Magumo acho chii?)
Kudadira vamwe kutsvinya
Kuvaona sevasi vanhu, uzotholani ngaloko? (Magumo acho chii?)
Kusatya Mwari (mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Hoo, uzophelelapi (mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
(Mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
(Mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
(Mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Ungangodaro uine simba, simba rakawanda
Ukadzvanya akaonda (magumo acho chii?)
Uma unamandla amakhulu, beseuhlupha abantu
Uzotholani ngalokho? (Magumo acho chii?)
Ugodaro uine mari, mari yakawanda
Ukadzvanya akaonda (magumo acho chii?)
Uma unemali eningi, beseuhlupha abantu
Uzotholani ngalokho? (Magumo acho chii?)
Wodadira vamwe kutsvinya
Kuvaona sevasi vanhu, uzotholani ngaloko? (Magumo acho chii?)
Kudadira vamwe kutsvinya
Kuvaona sevasi vanhu, uzotholani ngaloko? (Magumo acho chii?)
Uzophelelapi? (Mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Kusamutya Mwari (mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
(Mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
(Mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
(Mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Famba, famba, famba, famba zvine tsika
Uma unamandla amakhulu, beseuhlupha abantu
Uzotholani ngalokho?
Nyada, nyada, nyada, zvine hunhu
Uma unemali eningi, beseuhlupha abantu
Uzotholani ngalokho?
Wodadira vamwe kutsvinya
Kuona sevasi vanhu, uzotholani ngaloko? (Magumo acho chii?)
Kudadira vamwe kutsvinya
Kuvaona sevasi vanhu, uzotholani ngaloko? (Magumo acho chii?)
Kusatya Mwari (mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Hee, uzophelelapi (mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
The lyrics of Oliver Mtukudzi's song Magumo express a deep concern for those who have amassed wealth but are indifferent to the plight of others. The opening lines of the song pose a question to the person who has a lot of money, asking them what they will do with it and what will become of them. The rest of the song condemns such individuals, who are described as those who "oppress people" and "fear God", and reminds them that money and power are fleeting and that they should show compassion towards others. Throughout the song, there is a cry for unity and empathy, and the message is clear: those who have been blessed with success should use their resources to uplift others rather than to oppress them.
Line by Line Meaning
Uma unemali eningi, beseuhlupha abantu
If you have a lot of money, will you oppress people? What will you achieve by doing that?
Uzotholani ngalokho?
What will you gain from that?
Uzophelelaphi?
Where are you going?
Kuzvirova dundundu
There is chaos
Tozvinzwa kuti ndisu tiri pano (magumo acho chii?)
We hear that we are here, what is the reason for that?
Tingazvirove matundundu
We will see disaster
Toshambadza ndisu tiripaapa (magumo acho chii?)
We are fighting each other, what is the benefit of that?
Todadira vamwe kutsvinya
We are accusing others of witchcraft
Kuvaona sevasi vanhu, uzotholani ngaloko? (Magumo acho chii?)
If you see other people's misfortunes, what will you gain from that? (What is the benefit of that?)
Kudadira vamwe kutsvinya
We are accusing others of witchcraft
Kusatya Mwari (mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Are you not afraid of God? (What is the point of these accusations?)
Hoo, uzophelelapi (mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Where are you going? (What is the point of these accusations?)
Ungangodaro uine simba, simba rakawanda
You might have a lot of strength, but it's of different kinds
Ukadzvanya akaonda (magumo acho chii?)
What's the point of destroying each other?
Uma unamandla amakhulu, beseuhlupha abantu
If you have great power, will you oppress people?
Ugodaro uine mari, mari yakawanda
You might have a lot of money, but it's of different kinds
Wodadira vamwe kutsvinya
We are accusing others of witchcraft
Kuvaona sevasi vanhu, uzotholani ngaloko? (Magumo acho chii?)
If you see other people's misfortunes, what will you gain from that? (What is the benefit of that?)
Kudadira vamwe kutsvinya
We are accusing others of witchcraft
Uzophelelapi? (Mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Where are you going? (What is the point of these accusations?)
Kusamutya Mwari (mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Are you not afraid of God? (What is the point of these accusations?)
Famba, famba, famba, famba zvine tsika
Go, go, go, there is wisdom
Nyada, nyada, nyada, zvine hunhu
Speak, speak, speak, there is humanity
Kuona sevasi vanhu, uzotholani ngaloko? (Magumo acho chii?)
If you see other people's misfortunes, what will you gain from that? (What is the benefit of that?)
Kudadira vamwe kutsvinya
We are accusing others of witchcraft
Uzophelelapi? (Mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Where are you going? (What is the point of these accusations?)
Kusamutya Mwari (mhedzisiro yacho chii? Magumo acho chii?)
Are you not afraid of God? (What is the point of these accusations?)
Writer(s): Oliver Mtukudzi
Contributed by Vivian F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-xh9jt6tf3r
This man was a genius . I play this song more than 20 times a day
@isac7588
Very good song and interesting
@kbdollarz
Have been looking for this song for days,
@godfathermahanya156
Powerfull message mdhara
@knowledgejisi9192
RIP Tuku, really loved your music, it could suit any situation a man can encounter in life
...
@owenmarecha3491
TUKU the G.O.A.T. ........... rest in paradise
@janeadams9948
Rest well Fallen Icon.. God keep you well in eternal Grace
@bbmlauren
My fav !!! Your music lives on Samanyanga.... RIP
@K.B.C.J
African nicest from the legend Tuku
And legends don't die but they live on
@prudencenatashadzingayi4780
2023, missing a legend,RIP Tuku