The nominee for Best International Artist for Zimbabwe Achievers Awards 2014 Hope Masike, will be jamming her new releases Matatya, Sungura inspired Wepepe du and the ballard Ndodiniko in her hometown Highfield.
Hope promises what she calls ‘feel-good, tasteful mbira music” from her current albums besides the new songs from the soon to be released album.
The not to be missed concert will be held on Saturday March 22 2014 at PaFiyo which is located at Machipisa Shopping complex.
This is her first time to perform in her home town right after her Bulawayo and Harare Francophone concerts.
The concert will be staged by Hope Masike and her vibrant band comprising of Elisha Herema, drummer Malvern Cheremari, percussionist and dancer Blessed Rukweza, marimba player Courage Chikowo and guitarist Frank Mavhimira.
On the move to perform in Highfield Hope said, “I was born and raised in Highfield and it has always been my desire to perform there ever since my music career. There are many friends and neighbours who have never managed to come to the venues I normally perform. So this chance to stage a show at home is very special for me. Now vana mai Fungai nana mkoma nhingi can come and enjoy my music very easily.”
Masike believes there is a misconception that alternative music is not consumable in
the ghettos.
She commented that other music styles like jazz should improve to avoid being overshadowed by Zim Dancehall which she applauds for capturing masses.
The move to take music to the people, is an advise the she got from Oliver Mtukudzi, with Highfield as her stepping stone.
Hope plans to take her mbira music to all parts of Zimbabwe
With only just two albums to her career, Hope Masike has taken mbira music into new music spaces.
Hope brought home the exciting World music outfit, ‘Monoswezi’ (Mozambique,-Norway-Sweden -Zimbabwe).
In the year 2012 she collaborated with the Zimbabwean Hip Hop outfit, The Monkey Nuts and performed extensively at festivals in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
She also performed at HIFA 2013 in a regional collaboration with famous South
African pianist Bokani Dyer and Mozambican saxophonist Muzila Malembe, a collaboration that toured festivals in Southern Africa.
Hope Masike has fused mbira as we know it with many music styles like Jazz and Sungura.
She has even done versions of Christmas carols and hymns on mbira.
Her efforts did not go unnoticed as she was awarded the Outstanding Female musician for 2012 NAMA awards.
Her collaboration with Monoswezi was also recently nominated for best Cross CulturalCollaboration for Songlines World Music Awards 2014.
by Tsitsi Ndabambi