The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
INSPIRED by his lyrics on the song “Changa chakajaira” off his latest album “My Season”, the inimitable gospel, Blessing Shumba has defied odds and shame the devil by healing the dejected and the hopeless through song.
Songs on the album, released in April this year, have received rave reviews across several radio stations, particularly on Radio Zimbabwe where the title track ‘‘Changa chakajaira’’ and ‘‘Tariro Ichipo’’ have topped charts for the past three months.
‘‘Changa chakajaira’’ has been on the apex of the popular Radio Zimbabwe Gospel 10 show for several weeks while ‘‘Tariro Ichipo’’ has ruled the roost on the same radio station’s Coca Cola Top 20 show.
It seems the humble preacher from Buhera is in for another gong come end of the year after his song ‘‘Chimwe nechimwe’’ off the album ‘‘Ndijesu’’ came out tops in the 2015 Coca Cola Radio Zimbabwe Top 50. He has no doubt this could be another year for the 2012 National Merit Awards outstanding album award winner, thanks to his legion of fans who religiously vote for the two songs daily and weekly.
“I am overwhelmed by the response. I owe fans a lot,” he said.
Without taking anything away from other gospel artistes’ 2017 productions, Shumba’s project has been one of the finest and lyrically loaded.
Other songs on the album My Season are ‘‘Warangarirwa’’, ‘‘Tariro Ichiripo’’, ‘‘Usatya Shinga’’, ‘‘Ndinosimudza Muchinjikwa’’, ‘‘Zvichanaka’’ and ‘‘Takakunda Kare’’.
The artiste who rose to prominence in 2010 with his second album ‘‘Ndimwari’’ said he will continue preaching through music particularly by staging live shows outside his hometown.
“We will continue to please our fans through soulful and powerful music. We are currently working on a new album which is due for release next year.”
He attributed his success to spouse and Holy Psalms backing vocalist who is also a gifted singer, Pauline Chipakatira for being a pillar of strength. Credit should also be given to producer, Olin Anderson of Kunashe Studios who has managed to maintain and diversify Shumba’s distinct sound, which has made him one of the country’s gospel music powerhouses.
