Zimpapers Logo

Mkhululi Ncube, Showbiz Reporter
IT is the release season for Rhumba artistes as they angle for the lucrative festive season and one of the early birds is Prosper Bafana and The Originals who have released a seven-track album titled Indoda Eqotho.
Bafana, whose melodious voice is his main asset, prepared a masterpiece of an album that was perfected at Malalume Studios in South Africa.

For Rhumba fans, the album has all the ingredients of being one of the must-have albums as it delivers on quality.

“This is my sixth album and I put everything in it as competition in the Rhumba music industry is fierce. One has to do go all out to come up with something which the fans will love. I have hope it will be loved by many as the comments I am getting since its launch are very positive,” said Bafana.

The Tsholotsho born musician says the music industry is a tough field where only those who are able to withstand its challenges survive.

Bafana entered the Rhumba music scene in 2007 as a backing vocalist for Friendly Boys before moving to Madalaboy where he perfected his skills before going solo.

“I started my solo career in 2012 and have so far released six albums, Abafana Bama Baret, Mangamanga Business, Bengingazi, Siphenyibhetshu, Vuthela and my latest Indoda Eqotho. I do not play any music instrument, my voice is what I have. The music industry is very difficult, it is not easy for one to break out and be known.

“One of the major challenges is the little returns we get from the music sales after huge investments we make to produce music. There are just too many parasites who want to harvest from where they did not sow,” he said.

The album opens with the track Bakufundisa Kubi, which warns a young man against keeping bad company, followed by Indoda Eqotho, which encourages men to work hard to support their families, Qondisa talks about difficulties faced by Zimbabweans in foreign lands.
Other tracks on the album are Ubizo Lwethu, which calls for fans to support artistes.

Bafuna Yona talks about money that it is needed everywhere and sometimes influences people to engage in bad acts.

The album closes with Umngane Weqiniso, which celebrates true friendships in life as they always support each other.

Even though the musician does not play any instrument he has managed to put together great instrumental players who complemented his great voice. Throughout the album, Bafana gave his guitarists freedom to express their skills and the engineer did well to make sure that no guitar is suppressed.

“I am making plans for the album to be available in Zimbabwe. I have been concentrating on the South African market but am reaching out to radio stations back home so that I cater for the home market as well,” he said.
— @themkhust