Zimpapers Logo

Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Writer

Fab G Umshanakagogo’s personalised genre, Umthobanhliziyo Tribal, has been recognised with a Bulawayo Arts Award (BAA) for Outstanding Alternative Music. The artiste had been promoting the genre for over two years before it gained recognition.

He describes it as a Southern African lyrical cultured genre which represents Bantu tribes. It is inspired by the fusion of different mainstream genres; Afro-pop, Maskandi and hip-hop poetry, therefore associated with both the traditional and urban feel.

The Old Magwegwe-born lad said: “I believe that Umthobanhliziyo is a heart healing genre that comes with our black cultural values, message of encouragement and sufficient provision of working through the challenges of life.

“It dwells on different encounters that black people experience in life as well as giving applicable resolutions.”

Fab G Umshanakagogo expressed his gratitude for the award and explained that it had been a long time coming. He said that he has been putting in a lot of hard work in Bulawayo’s music industry and is motivated to work even harder now.

“I’m honoured and grateful to win the BAA award. Charity begins at home so it’s another step taken in my journey. Wherever I go now, there’s a stamp of endorsement from my city and that motivates me to work even harder,” he said.

He added that he is getting great support from fans and is promising them more than they can expect from him.

“I promise my fans more than they can expect from me because I can’t even explain what’s coming. My group UMthobanhliziyo Tribe is ready with collaborations from South Africa and Zimbabwe coming up. Certainly, as the sun is going to rise again, Fab G MshanaKagogo is going to be one of the best musicians that Zimbabwe ever had.”

The musician has been putting in a lot of work into his craft with his latest visuals for the track “Uthando Lwakho” featuring local superstars;

Ma9nine and Bazooker being testament. As of yesterday afternoon, the visuals, which were released three weeks ago, were approaching 80 000 views on YouTube.

His first single in the Umthobanhliziyo genre, titled “Amafufu,” was inspired by a Ndebele proverb Ukufel’ Amafufu njengegundwane (dying for what you don’t know). His songs from the genre have enjoyed favourable positions on Khulumani FM’s top 20 charts.

Generally, this has been a great year for the musician who also landed a breakthrough collaboration with South Africa’s trending artistes SolPhenduka and Murumba Pitch on the hit track “iJager.”

Behind his journey has been a supportive team including Harris Group of Hotels general manager Jordan Dube, his brother Musa Zulu, mother and daughter whom he paid homage to. – @mthabisi_mthire