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The industry has grown and seen a number of groups and solo artistes emerging, making a name for themselves and leaving a mark.

Of note is the growing trend of groups emerging, topping the charts and within a short period of time splitting for various reasons ranging from monetary to personal differences among others.

Talk of musical groups such as our own Ilanga, and American groups Destiny’s Child, N’sync, G-Unit, among others.

Of great interest are the solo artistes that emerge after the acrimonious disbandment of a group which many a times leaves fans “mourning” for a come back.

The death of Ilanga for example saw the birth of talented solo artistes that made it locally and abroad after the split.

Talk of the late Andy Brown, Busi Ncube, Louis Mhlanga, Cde Chinx — they were all part of Ilanga but they made a huge impact on the local music scene after moving from Ilanga.

Such is the fate of Afrika Revenge, yes the group that took the music scene by storm, won five music awards on one night some time ago and within a few years, died a natural death.

The death of the group gave birth to a solo artiste by the name of Willis Wattafi, who has decided to put the name Afrika Revenge and its success story behind him and make a name for himself musically.

Wattafi, born Willis Kachambwa, one of the vocalists in the award-winning outfit Afrika Revenge, is working on his third yet-to-be-named album.

Saturday Leisure spoke to the Harare-based artiste who strongly emphasised that music fans must follow music and not faces, adding that Afrika Revenge was a success story but six years after its death, people were still expecting to see its founders back together.

“Afrika Revenge was a stepping stone in my musical career; it was one of the success stories in my life. It put me on the map but that is history.

“People must follow music and not the faces, it is not about seeing us together on stage but the music that matters,” said Wattafi.

Wataffi said he was perturbed by a number of promoters who try to swindle them into performing as Afrika Revenge with an intention of making more money using their name.

“Six years is a long time and a lot has happened along those years, people should accept that Afrika Revenge is no more,” said the dreadlocked musician.

“I am not discouraged by what people say about us as Afrika Revenge or me as a solo artiste but they should accept the reality that the group Afrika Revenge is history now,” he said.
The musician, who is also an architect by profession, has two albums to his name after the split of Africa Revenge.

His debut solo with his group Qaya Rootz was the album Zhizha/Time to Sow released in 2009 featuring hit tracks Arumwa, Mabrake and Nothing is in vain.

He made a successful follow up with the album Qaya Rootz which features Nama award-winning track Woman of Rock.

Wattafi has maintained that same Afrika Revenge sound and his tracks are in Shona, Ndebele and English.

The talented muso said his forthcoming album would feature artistes from three countries in Southern Africa.

“I am working with artistes from Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa but I cannot reveal their names as of now.  My album will be out in the market in six weeks time and fans must brace for some of the best hits from Willis,” he said.

Tracks to look forward to on the new album are Mhanduwe, Dzimwe Nguva, Sibali Wami, Bhiza RaMambo, among others.

He said the album would be produced in Cape Town, South Africa.

The group Afrika Revenge became an instant hit soon after the turn of the millennium. It was made up of Mehluli “Tazz” Moyo, Willis Wattafi Kachambwa and Chengetai popularly known as Chichi.

After Chengetai left Afrika Revenge to pursue a successful solo career in South Africa, the remaining two left Bulawayo for Harare to carry the Afrika Revenge torch.

They will be remembered for hit tracks Wanga, Anochengeta and Memo.