Bulawayo Music in Zimbabwe

The Ndebele-leading the area of the southwest of Zimbabwe, include the city of Bulawayo, has been instrumental in the improvement of Zimbabwean music. Seminal 1950s guitarist George Sibanda had a support throughout African and Dorothy Masuka was a major player in the South African jazz scene, for instance. Among the very renowned artists of the area around Zimbabwe, though, was 1980s Ndebele pop sensation Lovemore Majaivana. Ndebele artists who are lively include Kuxxman, Go Boyz, Achuzi, Beate Mangethe, Vusa Mkhaya, Afrika Revenge, Black Umfolosi, Insingizi Majahawodwa Ndlovu, Sandra Ndebele, Lwazi Tshabangu and Ramadu. The marginalization of Bulawayo musicians in Zimbabwe saw the influence of the South African music leading hence the appearance of kwaito music in Bulawayo initiated by Go-Boyz in the year 1996 and more orchestras such as Achuzi, GTI and Amagangster appeared. A brand of jazz was formed in Bulawayo, during in 40s and 50s, and was made famous by August Musarurwa with his African Dance Ensemble of the Cold Storage Commission of Southern Rhodesia. He recorded the renowned chant known as Sikokiana which went on to be recorded in United States of American by Louis Armstrong and many others.

source of picture: www.zambezitraveller.com