BY ELVIS DUMBA
AN emerging musician, Smart Sojah, has released a 10-track album, which is
expected to make waves on the local showbiz scene.
Touted as a Jah Prayzah copycat, Smart Sojah's beat bears similarities to
that of the popular artist.
The new album by the Banket-based musician, born Honest Sani, is titled
'Mweya Unoyera.'
It is expected to make a huge mark on the music arena, particularly
appealing to listeners who enjoy Jah Prayzah's lyrics and beats, as one has
to listen to the album ad infinitum to realise that the artist is not Jah
Prayzah, but Smart Sojah.
The product, from vocals to instrumentation complete with a mbira feel, is
at par with that of Jah Prayzah.
Speaking to NewsAnchor, Sani admitted his admiration for Jah Prayzah.
He also gets inspiration from Andy Muridzo.
Sani seems to have struck the right chords on this album, which is his
fourth compilation, after previously trying dancehall and urban grooves
genres.
He later switched to traditional jazz music.
"I am inspired by Jah Prayzah and Andy Muridzo and I admire how these two
play mbira which gave me the urge to learn how to play the traditional
music instrument that I have mastered now," Sani said during an interview
in Banket.
The album carries nine tracks written by the dreadlocked musician.
It talks about social life. The track 'Madhuve' is a plea to a dejected
woman to return home and take care of her family, after abandoning it to
engage in prostitution due to economic hardships.
The title track 'Mweya Unoyera' is a prayer for guidance in one's life
journey.
In this song, any listener would be forgiven to think it's off a Jah
Prayzah's offering.
Other tracks on the new offering are: 'Handitadze Kukuroora' and 'Mhai',
which is a mother's dedication for teaching a child life ropes.
'Kumusuwa Here' pictures a young man in dreamland, missing his loved ones.
Sani concedes making an impact in music was a huge challenge.
"As a young artist I face many hurdles such as finance to get the music
recorded, as well as getting airplay on national radio stations. This is
particularly more difficult if you are coming from outside big towns like
Harare," he said.
The artist believes he will break the glass ceiling as he hopes his music
will go global just like what other musicians like Thomas Mapfumo did.
He encouraged other upcoming artists to persevere and be focused.
"As young and upcoming artists, let us not be carried away by fame or other
things. The industry needs commitment, perseverance and self control. I
urge young people to stay away from illicit drugs," he said.
Sani wishes the strike collaborations with Jah Prayzah and Andy Muridzo,
the people who inspire him in the music industry.
Sani, who is aged 27, thanked his family for the support which is bearing
fruit through his latest offering that has received appreciation from fans.
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