IMBAWO ZVATINONZWA means “please, sing what we can understand/comprehend”.
At this juncture, I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on Roki’s words (Roki Josphats Official). First and foremost, the man is extremely gifted. I had a crush on him since I was in elementary school. Because of his unrivaled talent and voice, I used to refer to him as “Zimbabwe’s Michael Jackson.” In 2007, his song Chidzoka received both the video and song of the year honors. The song was commented on by the then-Minister of Youths, who said, “I feel maturity in Roki’s song, this is what we desire.”
When others seized on the new ZimDancehall genre, Roki retained his cool and relaxed his top back. I’m guessing he convinced himself, “This isn’t for me; let those who can run with it“. We hadn’t heard anything from him in a long time. Now he came back with a bang. He garnered 1.2 million views on YouTube in 24 hours with his song “Uchandifunga,” which has never occurred in Zimbabwe.
Let me go right to the point: what prompted me to press the keys on my keyboard. “I’m the first one to tell Souljah Love that, “imba zvatinonzwawo” (may you please sing what we can comprehend),” he remarked in an interview with ZTN a few days ago. Thankfully, Makuruwani followed the instruction. Many guys believe that if you’re playing Dancehall, you have to utilize Jamaican slang. As a result, many talented Zimbabwean musicians have wasted their time and effort by singing songs that will never be heard on the radio. Why? Because the majority of the Zim community does not know Jamaican Patois. Even I don’t understand it, therefore I don’t listen to it since it’s like trying to read spidery Chinese text. I feel better now since I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. Ugh, thank goodness I’m not as primitive as I thought.
I admire Roki’s maturity. He is a pessimist. He says things exactly as they are. The Legend “Mukanya” Baba Thomas Mapfumo returned to Zimbabwe for the first time in late 2017 after many years in the United States. He held a press conference at Rainbow Towers alongside our Jazzy guru, Baba Oliver Mutukudzi (may his soul rest in peace). As they discussed the music world, I watched it live on YouTube from my workplace. Mr. Mutukudzi expressed certain things that stuck with me for a long time. He stated, “kana muchiimba, imbai nemutauro wenyu. Kana mada kuimba nemitauro yevamwe, ehee zvakanaka hazvo kana uchiugona pamwewo vachakuteerera ikoko kunyika kunotaurwa mutauro iwoyo“. (Sing in your native tongue if you’re singing.) If you wish to sing in a foreign language, go ahead. *Perhaps they’ll listen to your music in that nation.” I put a star next to the word pamwewo (maybe) since that’s where all the secrets are hidden. We understand how our Shona elders communicate; they try not to offend you, but you must be able to read between the lines. To me, he meant, “Your music will not go anywhere if you sing in a foreign language,” as many Zimbabwean musicians do. But, when you are an established musician, you can do it as people now just follow your brand.
Mr. Mutukudzi, Mapfumo, my Bishop Leonard Karikoga Zhakata, Stunner Tazoita Cash Records, and others perform in Shona (their native language). Ngatikopei dhoiri rakanaka sezvakarehwa navaMutukidzi navaMutukidzi. Let’s make a copy and then listen to the experience. Jah Prayzah records his songs in Shona and is now in the United Kingdom for performance as I type this. Dancehall or Reggae does not imply singing in Jamaican Patois, not because it is awful, but because many of us in Zimbabwe do not know that language, thus it will not sell well. Simple! How many singers do you know that sung in Jamaican Patois and had a successful career?
Winky D DiBigman and others perform Shona, as well as a little English and Jamaican Patois. Because aiimba zvatinonzwa, so people liked and supported him before the rest of the world learned about him. I know many excellent musicians whose music has a positive message but is never heard on the radio or in Kombis in Zimbabwe. It is preferable to utilize standard English because many people understand it and your music has a high potential for worldwide success. Even the legendary Jamaican artist Bob Marley performed his songs in ordinary English, and the entire world embraced his work. To this day, his music is celebrated in every corner of the globe.
Imagine Big Zulu, a South African rapper, singing in Jamaican Patois; I doubt he would be as renowned as he is today, but he does his songs in Zulu, his home tongue. Take a look at Makhadzi “wavhorine“, who sings Venda lyrics. Despite the fact that Venda is a minority language in South Africa, she is presently the top artist and most booked artist. Tocky Vibes, Killer T, and others dai vakamhanya nemutauro wekuJamaika dai chipo chavo chakapfopforoka kare. I attempted to inform several potential musicians of my age about this a long time ago, but they never listened, maybe because I am not a musician and hence do not qualify to explain/advise them anything about music.
I recall encouraging my homeboy Jattan C in 2016 to sing in Shona or English, zvatinonzwawo (something that we can understand). He emailed me last month, saying, “bro, I heeded your advice, and I am now making my songs in pure Shona.” I was at a loss for words. He has great tunes, check them out here. I’m excited about his musical path.
As an author, I’ve published novels in English, Shona, and Spanish. Why haven’t I sold a single copy of my Spanish books? You now understand why. I marketed English and Shona books to Zimbabweans, although many of them were copies of Shona novels. Shona books received more likes and comments than English novels that I blessed (shared freely) with my followers on my Facebook Page Kelvin Jasi Stories and other platforms, despite the fact that the English ones are intriguing, informative, and simply superb as well. My compatriots, Zimbabwean readers, like to read in Shona. However, because the worldwide population understands it, I sold many English copies.
One of my fellow Zimbabwean online authors emailed me one day, “Kev, you’re a good novelist, but dai wanyora mabhuku ako neChishona nekuti ini zvangu Chingezi chinondimara.” (Kev, you’re a good author; try writing in Shona instead of English since English bugs me.) Imagine, she’s an author, and she’s written and published several novels before I even considered writing a novel…but she told me that.
I’ve composed songs for four Zim guys thus far. Three of them wanted me to compose the songs in Jamaican patois, which I replied to “I’m sorry, but I’m not familiar with it. I’m better at English, so if that’s okay with you, you could translate it yourself “.. I have nothing personal against Jamaican Patois, or “Joma,” as it is known in Zim street lingo. I selected it as an example that we can all easily identify since it is one that many Zimbabwean Dancehall singers are proud to employ.
Vakomana nevasikana, pabatei apa: imbaiwo zvatinonzwa.Maybe we’ll treasure that tip as it was provided by one of our youngsters.
Opinions and points of view are all mines. I hope this is helpful to someone. Ropafadzwai! Ndatenda.
Regards,
Author, Kelvin Jasi.