Oliver Mtukudzi


Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi was a Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region. Tuku was considered to have been Zimbabwe's most renowned and internationally recognised cultural icon of all time.

Biography

Mtukudzi grew up in Highfield, a poor neighborhood in Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia, as the eldest of seven siblings. While both his parents sang in a choir, they were initially not supportive of his continued interest in music, consequently breaking his first homemade guitar.
He began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Thomas Mapfumo and fellow legendary guitarist James Chimombe. They were given the rare opportunity by Paul Tangi Mhova Mkondo, an African nationalist and music promoter, who provided money and resources to the group. With the support of Mutanga, the prayers and blessings of Amai Mutanga, he allowed them to perform at Mutanga Restaurant & Night Club which, at the time, was the first and only African licensed night club available for blacks under Rhodesia's policy of segregation. Their single Dzandimomotera went gold and Tuku's first album followed, which was also a major success. Mtukudzi is also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa's "supergroup".
With his husky voice, Mtukudzi has become the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and he has earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond. A member of Zimbabwe's KoreKore group, with Nzou Samanyanga as his totem, he sings in the nation's dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English. He also incorporates elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans as Tuku Music. Mtukudzi has had a number of tours around the world. He has been on several tours in the UK, US and Canada to perform for large audiences. In 2017 Mtukudzi entertained guests at the wedding of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
2003 - Oliver Mtukudzi founded Pakare Paye as an Arts Centre providing a performance platform for developing and fostering young talent in many practical artistic endeavours particularly music, dance, drama, poetry and storytelling. Pakare Paye developed the following artists who are well established in their own rights; Munyaradzi Mataruse, upcoming and artists of the moment who also performed on the funeral of Dr Oliver Mtukudzi; Innocent "Answer" Kufakunesu and Ashford "Mbeu" Nyahora. Ashford is well established and went on to perform with Tuku's family in Cape Town South Africa at the Jazz Festival where Tuku used to be a regular. The Centre benefited from support from different organisations that included the Culture Fund in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden, Nyaradzo Group and many international organisations. One of the famous products of Pakare Paye includes Mtukudzi's own son Sam, who unfortunately passed on in a car accident in 2010. Sam was a composed musician who could play any instrument and could sing vocals as well. All these prominent students of Tuku perform Afrofusion music that combines jazz and traditional African music and has Tuku touch infused in them. The Centre is also frequented by schools that attend workshops on arts where students get an opportunity to learn that there are various aspects of the music industry they can learn. Some of the schools that visits the Centre regularly include Marlborough High, Mabelreign Girls High, Harare Girls High, Chiedza Primary, Tafara High, Mabvuku High and St Eric’s High, among others. Through Pakare Paye, young Zimbabweans have an opportunity to learn benefits and pitfalls of the music industry as they have the opportunity to interact with veterans in the industry. The Centre provides venues that can be used by musicians and communities for different events.
Mtukudzi is the father of five children and has two grandchildren. Two of his children are also musicians. His son Sam Mtukudzi, a successful musician in his own right, died in a car accident in March 2010 and in 2013, he released an album titled "Sarawoga", in tribute to his son.

Social commentary

Prior to the independence of Zimbabwe, Mtukudzi's music depicted the struggles under Rhodesian white minority rule. In subsequent years following Zimbabwean independence, his music has advocated for tolerance and peace and has frequently portrayed the struggles of women and children.

Death

On 23 January 2019, Mtukudzi died at the age of 66 at Avenues Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe after a long battle with sugar diabetes.

''Discography''

  1. 1978 Ndipeiwo Zano
  2. 1979 Chokwadi Chichabuda
  3. 1979 Muroi Ndiani?
  4. 1980 Africa
  5. 1981 Shanje
  6. 1981 Pfambi
  7. 1982 Maungira
  8. 1982 Please Ndapota
  9. 1983 Nzara
  10. 1983 Oliver's Greatest Hits
  11. 1984 Hwema Handirase
  12. 1985 Mhaka
  13. 1986 Gona
  14. 1986 Zvauya Sei?
  15. 1987 Wawona
  16. 1988 Nyanga Nyanga
  17. 1988 Strange, Isn't It?'
  18. 1988 Sugar Pie
  19. 1989 Grandpa Story
  20. 1990 Chikonzi
  21. 1990 Pss Pss Hallo!
  22. 1990 Shoko
  23. 1991 Mutorwa
  24. 1992 Rombe
  25. 1992 Rumbidzai Jehova
  26. 1992 Neria Soundtrack'
  27. 1993 Son of Africa
  28. 1994 Ziwere MuKobenhavn
  29. 1995 Was My Child
  30. 1996 Svovi yangu
  31. 1995 The Other Side: Live in Switzerland
  32. 1995 Ivai Navo
  33. 1997 Ndega Zvangu
  34. 1997 Chinhamwe
  35. 1998 Dzangu Dziye
  36. 1999 Tuku Music
  37. 2000 Paivepo
  38. 2001 Neria
  39. 2001 Bvuma
  40. 2002 Shanda soundtrack
  41. 2002 Vhunze Moto
  42. 2003 Shanda
  43. 2003 Tsivo
  44. 2004 Greatest Hits Tuku Years
  45. 2004 Mtukudzi Collection 1991–1997
  46. 2004 Mtukudzi Collection 1984–1991
  47. 2005 Nhava
  48. 2006 Wonai
  49. 2007 Tsimba Itsoka
  50. 2008 Dairai
  51. 2010 Rudaviro
  52. 2010 Kutsi Kwemoyo
  53. 2011 Rudaviro
  54. 2011 Abi'angu
  55. 2012 Sarawoga — Sarawoga laments the losses that the legend has had to endure in his life, not least the loss of life. Thus he has been left 'alone' in a sense, hence the title Sarawoga.
  56. 2014 Mukombe Wemvura
  57. 2016 God Bless You - The Gospel Collection
  58. 2016 Eheka! Nhai Yahwe
  59. 2018 hany’a

    Contributing artist

  60. 1996 The Rough Guide to the Music of Zimbabwe
  61. 1999 '
  62. 2000 '

    ''Filmography''