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 FΓͺte 1999. The album Paivepo reached the top position on Zimbabwe's music charts the first week after its release in November 1999.
Wake Up
Oliver Mtukudzi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
(open your eyes)
Lalelani madoda isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Bambanani nonke isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Asibambaneni sonke isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)
Okumuny' igazi ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time
Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time
Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time
Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time
Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time
Abantu laba bazondile
Abalapha bayadana
Abanye bayasola
Injabulo abala
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
tho
The lyrics of Oliver Mtukudzi's song "Wake Up" urge the listener to open their eyes and be aware of what is happening around them. The repetition of the phrase "wake up, open your eyes" emphasizes the importance of being attentive and conscious. The verses then ask the rhetorical question "Akubani kanti ngumthakathi" which means "who is the witch?" This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the forces that are holding people back and causing division in society.
The next set of verses encourage unity and coming together ("Vukanini madoda", "Bambanani nonke"). The lyrics also express the urgency of the situation ("isikhathi sesiphelile") and the need to not waste time. The lines "Your fight is changing everything, upside down inside out left side right" convey that the fight for unity and awareness is significant and can have a profound impact.
The final verses acknowledge the challenges faced by many people ("Abantu laba bazondile, Abalapha bayadana, Abanye bayasola, Injabulo abala") but also urge the listener to seek a reason to be joyful ("Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu"). Overall, the lyrics of "Wake Up" encourage the listener to be aware and active in the pursuit of unity, and to not let the forces of division hold them back.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up (open your eyes)
The singer is urging the listener to stop being complacent and to become aware of their surroundings.
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
There are negative forces at work in the world that must be identified and confronted.
Vukanini madoda isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
It's time to wake up and take action because time is running out.
Lalelani madoda isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Don't waste time, it's time to wake up and take action.
Bambanani nonke isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Everyone needs to come together and take action because time is running out.
Asibambaneni sonke isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
We can only make a difference if we work together towards a common goal.
Okumuny' igazi ngumthakathi
The negative forces are causing chaos and destruction.
Unite don't wast time
We need to come together and act as soon as possible to counteract these negative forces.
Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
The struggle to overcome these negative forces is affecting every aspect of life in unexpected ways.
Abantu laba bazondile
Abalapha bayadana
Abanye bayasola
Injabulo abala
Some people are prospering, while others suffer, causing unhappiness and strife.
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
There is a reason behind everything that is happening, and it's up to us to find out what that is.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ivanedalia7567
My alarm during primary school.the song used to play in KBC radio station.lets show some love for Oliver mtukudzi
@collinsmbara4482
same here brother
@domitilahk8637
2003 is the year for me aki
@kathrynmwondela8207
Oliver Mutukudzi legend...meaningful impactful music πΆ π΅ that touched many lives...We thank God for His sterling works that he shared with the world...even now. Mhsriep.
@opeagbeopeyemi9262
I'm a Nigerian, it's 2022, and I've known this song for three years plus and still listening. Forever Tuku!
@okakaphilemon3500
Opeyemi like back. was in early years school in Kenya. KBC used to play it very early in the morning
@okakaphilemon3500
A very powerful song
@alexonyango6847
This was the first song immediately after the national anthem on Kenya's national broadcaster KBC Radio when they 'open station.'
Aah this is classical.
@turktrendy753
#WORD#The school days
@joycemargaretzimba8949
am Zambian but i enjoy Zim music. much love