By Tawanda Mudzonga
Published March 30, 2013
Celebrated Zimbabwean Afro-pop singer Jah Prayzah presented a thrilling Easter show at Harare’s Book Cafe on March 29, 2013. The ‘Gochi Gochia’ star performed at the Book Cafe for the first time and brought his infectious brand of Afro-pop to the popular live music venue at 8pm. Adding to the Easter holiday fun, Chikwata.263 kick-started the festivities with an original set of mbira-punk musical stylings.
Jah Prayzah reigns as the undisputed king of the airwaves.With three albums under his belt, the singer has made huge strides in his short career releasing popular and critically acclaimed music that has made him the talk of town. ‘Born Mukudzei Mukombe but popularly known as Jah Prayzah, this successful artist released his fourth album,Tsviriyo, on March 17, 2013.
After previously releasing albums with a string of chart-topping hits, fans can expect this new album to dazzle with new works from this incredibly talented artist.
Tsviriyo features an electrifying collaboration on the track Cecilia with music great Oliver Mtukudzi. The two have performed onstage together before, including an impromptu performance by Jah Prayzah at Oliver Mtukudzi’s Trio show at the Book Cafe earlier in February 2013. Prayzah also collaborated with Chiwoniso Maraire on his last album, and most famously with Suluman Chimbetu on his track Sean Timba (batai munhu), the wildly popular song currently sweeping the nation.
Famous for his high-energy dance performance, the gravelly-voiced artist has gained a reputation as a lively performer with a polished stage act dedicated to making sure the audience has a great time. The mbira-playing singer has cemented himself as a serious and talented musician, who at 25 years of age has already worked with some of the best names in the business.
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Born and bred in Uzumba, Prayzah is taking Zimbabwean Afro-pop music to new heights with hits, Ngwarira Kuparara, Maria, Chirangano and Sungano tearing up the music charts. ‘ His popular party song Gochi Gochi was nominated for a National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) prize in 2012.’ Earlier 2013, he won a prize for topping the Coca-Cola Radio Zimbabwe Top 50 in 2012. ( His song Chirangano reached number one, while Gochi-Gochi peaked at number two.) Jah Prayzah had four songs at the same time in the radio Top 50 music chart in 2012, which Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) officials say is a first for any artist.
Prayzah performs with his band, The 3rd Generation, and is currently preparing to go on his second tour of the United Kingdom where his new album will also be launched in May 2013.
Opening act Chikwata.263 shared the stage with Jah Prayzah for the first time, bringing to the fore their trademark punk-rock musical style mixed with traditional mbira melodies.
Chikwata.263 is an exciting, innovative mbira-punk band. Their lyrics are fun and light-hearted, punctuated by serious music-playing skills which has earned them a dedicated following in just a few years.
Chikwata.263 is the only band in Zimbabwe dedicated to mbira-punk. A musical tour-de-force, they stand out amongst their peers as a band with a wicked sense of fun.
Fresh from a tour of Cape Town in 2012, the band is made up of charismatic lead singer and guitarist Tomas Brickhill, mbira maestro Hector Rufaro Mugani, drumming prodigy Blessing Chimhanga and talented bassist Ray Mupfumire.
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Chikwata.263 performed at Zimfest, Chimanimani Arts Festival, Miombo Music Festival and The Rumble in the Jungle festivals in 2012, and in their musical career have shared the stage with Mokoomba, Chiwoniso Maraire, Transit Crew, Mic Inity, Suluman Chimbetu and Dudu Manhenga.
Both Jah Prayzah and Chikwata.263 delivered an electrifying performance, a night of heart-thumping music and a riotous celebration of Easter on Good Friday.