“Piracy is caused by an attitude. It’s a bad attitude that proves individuals don’t respect that work of an artist. Because if one is to consider the difficult process that an artist goes through to produce an album or piece of work , then they would not pirate the work,” said Tuku at the launch of his 65th album, ‘Eheka Nhai Yahwe’ which ran concurrently with his 64th birthday celebrations at Pakare Paye Arts Centre, yesterday.
“This bad attitude will only stop when one learns to respect the work of others, in this case the artist.
“Because if surely the very same pirate cannot do anything for anyone for free, why then should they reap from an artist’s work for free?
“Mind you, piracy is a criminal act and not cleverness. Those involved in it are just criminals,” said Tuku.
The granddad of Zimbabwean music also added that the journey of an artist is never easy.
“The road for an artist is never easy. It’s not a tarred path, never.
“It’s filled with a lot of struggles and pains but one has to learn to endure and remain focused on what they are aiming for.
“I encourage all artists to remain humble and develop good people skills.
“A poor ability to engage with others will at times result in people hating you. They might love your music but they will never love the individual brewing it because of their bad rapport,” revealed Samanyanga.
Moving onto the new 12 track offering, this time around the quality is on point when compared to his last offering, ‘Mukombe we Mvura’.
It is an album that carries the aura of Tuku in that it’s simple in terms of arrangement, no sophistication whatsoever. Like Tuku always says, “Simple is more.”
But, in that simplicity it comes loaded with substance such that when you listen to the generally mid-tempo grooves you feel the richness of the artistry and get to comprehend the dexterity of the artist as well as the various messages he will be disseminating.
As is the case with artists such as Alick Macheso and Jah Prayzah who recorded some of the tracks on their new offerings, in their own studios, this album was also cooked up in Samanyanga’s new state-of-the-art studio situated at Pakare Paya.
No need to higher session musicians like other artists do when they go into studio, Tuku used the Black Spirits team spearheaded by the drum maestro, Sam Mataure alongside master bassist, Enock Piroro, the charismatic Munya Viyali on piano, Rody Roda on lead guitar, alongside Alice Muringani and Fiona Gwena on the shakers as well as backing vocals.
Special features included Hugh Masekela on trumpet, Maduvha Madima on vocals and the young and talented Joseph Chinouriri on the saxophone.
The launch was attended by fellow artists who included Sulumani Chimbetu, Tocky Vibes and Bob Nyabinde. Also present were top players in the arts sector alongside Samanyanga’s family and friends.
