Advice Viriri

The influence of popular music, in particular urban grooves lyrics on the Zimbabwean youth: The case of the Troika, Maskiri, Winky D and Extra Large

ABSTRACT This article critically examines the influence of popular music, especially urban grooves lyrics, on the youth of Zimbabwe, focusing in particular on the lyrics of Alishas ‘Maskiri’ Musimbe, the duo Extra Large and Wallace ‘Winky D’ Chirimuko. Some of these lyrics at first glance appear to be humorous, but a deeper analysis reveals a destructive message. The article explores the socio-cultural influence of these urban grooves artists in Zimbabwe and whether urban grooves music is indeed the ‘music of the people, about the people and by the people themselves’ (Kwaramba 1997, 2). It investigates the role music plays in the socialisation of the Zimbabwean youth and the extent to which it influences the behavioural trends of the youth in urban communities in particular.

Music, land and liberation theology: Mai Charamba's ‘Africa’ and Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave's ‘Hamheno anoramba?’

Abstract The aim of this article is to explore the textual meanings of Mai Charambas song, Africa, and Fungisai Zvakavapanos Hamheno anoramba. This article investigates how the music of the two female artists expresses the subject of land, in the context of liberation theology. We have purposefully sampled these two artists – first, because they sing about ownership of land and natural resources, which are themes that dominate current discourses in Zimbabwe and Africa. Second, we have especially considered the songs by the two female gospel singers because their songs have a special way of merging the subject of land with theological ideas anchored in the concept of African economic liberation. Third, we have taken a special interest in exploring music that talks about land – a theme often associated with male discourses about economic freedom in Zimbabwe. It is argued that the very fact that women are now singing about land means that the subject also preoccupies their creative imagination. What this points to is that it is no longer possible to discuss the land reform without taking into consideration womens ‘voices’ and their legal and constitutional rights to have access to land and other state resources.