I have an axe to grind with Tuku

It was a long time coming from when I could really perceive him in the late 70s; he produced trailblazers like Amai Ndiri Bofu. I could not help but buy his CD, some two decades later, when I received my first meager salary.

Tuku fought his battles and wars through the 80s and in the late 90s he made his tremendous breakthrough with the CD comprising of the hit song Dzoka Uyamwe. Looking back has never been his habit. He has pressed forward with more zeal ever since he set foot in the music highway.

Tuku has toured the world; U.K., U.S., Malawi, Denmark, South Africa, Finland, Australia you name it. As we go to press, Tuku is wooing them in North America. Everywhere he goes all sections of society give him the props for his fine work of art.

In Zimbabwe, Tuku is an inspiration to many young artists and many yearn to journey in his foot steps. Beyond borders he continues to inspire many souls. I remember vividly the exhilaration of the young Kenyan artist Eric Winana when he shared the stage with Tuku at some yester year KORA awards presentation. He just could not help but sing praises and blow the trumpet for our legendary Tuku.

It may come as a shock to you but I still have an axe to grind with Tuku, because as the old African saying goes ‘we blame dog, we blame hare’.

It is my strong opinion that Tuku has let rigormortis set in. He has let early gratification thicken the soup. As this music guru's greatest fan I personally feel that he has short-changed his loyal fans. You will agree with me if I ask why he has not won a World Award when he is a top runner for one.

Why did Yousson N'Dour win a World Award with his track Seven Seconds and made us all proud when he shared the stage with the world’s greatest. Having realized that he had worked for a good name in Africa, Yousson N'Dour chose to globalize his art. He partnered Nina Cherry, a prolific British artist; an artist separated in culture, background and geographical space and produced the tantalizing Seven Seconds. He sold the most records in that year and the world did not hesitate to award him duely.

I recall with immense admiration how Yousson N'Dour was once again chosen to open the World Cup Soccer games of 1998 in France. Walking humbly to the center of the pitch where he picked up the cordless mic and do what he knows best, he did just that. It was him out of all the musicians that we know from this whole wide world.

The achievements of Yousson N'Dour and others happen when artists consciously and deliberately decide to take this art and creativity to another level. Tuku hasn’t done that as yet.

I still have an axe to grind with Tuku.

In all his travels around the globe, Tuku should create business time to engage such people and outfits as Yousson N'Dour, Manu Dibango, Oliver Ngoma, Tina Turner, Elton John, U2, UB40, Shade Adoo, Lionel Richie, Justin Timberlake, and other A-Lists.

The product of such engagement will be a Tuku that is worldly in character and status, a new branded Tuku that can walk the halls of fame and create more history like others have done. Let me reiterate that we are tired and weary of more of the same from Tuku. He can and will do better things. Get me the upside. I am talking strategy for change here.

I respect Mr. Oliver Mutukudzi not so much for his music as his humility and simplicity. These traits make him a good listener. He accepts advice positively.

My hope still stands that Zimbabwe's music Godfather will grab a prestigious international award and erase Zimbabwe’s economic woes in the thoughts of people in and outside Zimbabwe. Until that day Tuku sails Zimbabwe’s flag sky high, I will continue to rally behind the music master!