Oliver Mtukudzi Explained

Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi
Image Upright:0.9
Birth Date:1952 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Highfield, Southern Rhodesia
(modern-day Harare, Zimbabwe)
Death Place:Harare, Zimbabwe
Genre:Afro Jazz / Tuku Music
Instrument:Guitar
Years Active:1977–2019
Associated Acts:Thomas Mapfumo, Simon Chimbetu, System Tazvida, Winky D, Hugh Masekela, Ringo Madlingozi, Jah Prayzah

Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi (22 September 1952 – 23 January 2019) was a Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region.

Career

Mtukudzi grew up in Highfield, a poor neighborhood in Salisbury (modern-day Harare) in Southern Rhodesia. He began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Thomas Mapfumo and fellow guitarist James Chimombe. They were given the rare opportunity by Paul Tangi Mhova Mkondo, an African nationalist and music promotor, who provided money and resources to the group. He allowed them to perform at Club Mutanga (Pungwe) which, at the time, was the only 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 was also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa's "supergroup".[1]

With his husky voice, Mtukudzi became the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and he earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond. A member of Zimbabwe's KoreKore group, with Nzou Samanyanga as his totem, he sang in the nation's dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English. He also incorporated elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans as Tuku Music.

Mtukudzi had a number of tours around the world. He was 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.[2]

Social commentary

Prior to the independence of Zimbabwe, Mtukudzi's music depicted the struggles under Rhodesian white minority rule.[3] In subsequent years following Zimbabwean independence, his music has advocated for tolerance and peace and has frequently portrayed the struggles of women and children.[4]

Personal life and death

Mtukudzi was the father of five children and had three grandchildren. His son Sam Mtukudzi, a successful musician in his own right, died in a car accident in March 2010. In 2013, Mtukudzi released an album titled "Sarawoga", in tribute to his son.[5] [6] [7] His daughter Selmor is also a musician and works with UNICEF.[8]

On 23 January 2019, Mtukudzi died at the age of 66 at Avenues Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe after a long battle with diabetes mellitus.[9]

Discography

Contributing artist

  1. 1996 The Rough Guide to the Music of Zimbabwe (World Music Network)
  2. 1999 (World Music Network)
  3. 2000 (World Music Network)

Filmography

Awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits, Zimbabwe Music Guide. . 3 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070828031842/http://www.embargo.ca/zim/artists/bios/omtuku/index.htm . 28 August 2007 . dead . dmy-all .
  2. News: Tuku serenades Chivayo's marriage ceremony guests. 10 January 2017 . The Herald.
  3. News: Mtukudzi buried in his home village. 27 January 2019. 29 January 2019. en-GB.
  4. Web site: Oliver Mtukudzi and his 'talking guitar' was our gift from Zimbabwe to the world . Quartz Africa . 26 January 2019 .
  5. News: Muzari . Godwin . Sam Mtukudzi did much in less time . 30 May 2024 . The Herald . 9 March 2016.
  6. Web site: Zimbabwean music legend Oliver Mtukudzi has died. CNN. 23 January 2019. 2019-01-24.
  7. Web site: Oliver Mtukudzi's son dies in car crash . Times LIVE . 15 March 2010 . 30 June 2012.
  8. Web site: Nyathi . Kholwani . Selmor keeps Mtukudzi’s UNICEF legacy alive . UNICEF ZIMBABWE . UNICEF ZIMBABWE . 1 June 2024.
  9. Web site: Music legend Oliver Mtukudzi's guitar strums silenced in diabetes battle . Nairobi News . 23 January 2019 . en-US . 23 January 2019.
  10. News: Tuku debuts double album on UK tour. 13 July 2010 . 2 August 2010. New Zimbabwe.
  11. https://web.archive.org/web/20070310191442/http://www.dandemutande.org/Catalog/?cat=Films&subcat=Music&artist=MtukudziOliver#Shanda Review of Shanda movie at Dandamutande
  12. News: Mtukudzi, Ringo expected for UK concerts. New Zimbabwe.com. 11 October 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025436/http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/tuku9.11817.html . 27 September 2007 .
  13. https://web.archive.org/web/20020421011116/http://www.sheer.co.za/oliver.html Oliver Mtukudzi:Biography, Sheer Sound
  14. Web site: Mtukudzi receives honorary doctorate . 2023-05-15 . The Herald . en.
  15. https://allafrica.com/stories/200312150369.html