Program will be announced from stage.

The performance will run approximately 70 minutes, with no intermission.

Media Partner: Michigan Public

Dr. Thomas Mapfumo was born in 1945 in Marondera, a small town south of Rhodesia's capital, Salisbury (now Harare). He spent his early years living with his grandparents in the countryside, away from the growing tensions of the cities. He developed a passion for traditional music and instruments like ngoma, hosho, and mbira, learning from his musically inclined grandparents.

At the age of ten, he moved to Mbare, a poor black township in Salisbury, with his parents. Mbare was a center of protest against the colonial regime at the time. Here, Mapfumo discovered the radio and fell in love with international music from various famous artists.

In high school, Mapfumo joined his first band, the Zutu Brothers, where he imitated American and English musicians. Later, he formed the Hallelujah Chicken Run Band, delving into traditional folk music. He incorporated these influences into his Afrorock performances, singing in Shona and addressing political themes due to the ongoing war, creating the Chimurenga music genre.

Chimurenga music was built on the struggle of black Rhodesians and the country’s traditional music. It was a sound that gave the natives an identity and a voice during a time when they didn’t seem to have a voice.

Mapfumo's career progressed as he worked with different bands like the Acid Band and the Blacks Unlimited. It was with the latter that he popularized Chimurenga music by refining his unique sound, blending mbira with pop and incorporating poignant lyrics about the struggles of black Rhodesians.

Rhodesia’s white minority government saw Mapfumo’s music as a threat and banned it from the state-controlled radio stations. His music was still heard, however, in discos and on radio broadcasts that originated in neighboring countries. In late 1977, with the escalation of the liberation war, security forces finally attempted to silence Mapfumo by imprisoning him for 90 days. Upon his release, he returned to writing and singing his Chimurenga songs, which had come to be identified with the fight for freedom.

After Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, Mapfumo's music continued to evolve. He gained international recognition and released notable albums in the late 1980s and 1990s. His songs tackled various societal issues, including alcoholism, AIDS, and domestic violence.

As the political climate shifted in Zimbabwe, Mapfumo's music became increasingly critical of the government. He faced censorship and threats, leading him to move his family to the USA in 2000 for safety. Despite his exile, he remained committed to creating and performing music that challenged the status quo.

In 2018, after 14 years, Mapfumo returned to Zimbabwe for a concert, citing positive political changes. However, he hasn't returned since 2019 due to concerns about the ruling regime. Throughout his career, Mapfumo has been a resilient voice, using his music to express social and political dissent.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

1980: Shared the stage with Bob Marley & the Wailers to celebrate the Independence of Zimbabwe (Africa).

1984: Shared the stage with Elton John in England.

1999: Received an Honorary Master’s degree in recognition of advocacy for freedom from the University of Zimbabwe.

2000: National Arts Award for Zimbabwe’s Person of the Century and sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation on a global tour (U.S.A., Australia, Asia, and Europe).

2001: Received an Honorary Doctorate in music from Ohio University at Athens and won AFIM’s Best World Contemporary CD Award in March 2001 (“Chimurenga Explosion”).

2004: Award for first world music artist to go digital with a download-only release, “Rise Up,” later released in CD form by Peter Gabriel’s Real World label.”

2006: Featured in an interview with Phil Meadley of the Guardian in London, England.

2008: Interviewed with George Negus of the SBS Dateline in Australia.

2009: Interviewed with Jon Kertzer of the National Public Radio.

2012: Performed at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, New York, and was featured in NPR’s Musicians Who Paid the Price Before Pussy Riot.

2015: Keynote speaker at Metro State University of Denver-Black World Month.

2018: Returned to Zimbabwe after 14 years of living in exile and won the World Music Award at Global Fest Awards.

2023: Chimurenga music, a term coined by Mapfumo, was added as a music category for the Grammy Awards.

DISCOGRAPHY

Album Hokoyo! (1976), Gwindingwi Rine Shumba (1981), Ndangariro (1983), Mabasa (1984), Mr Music Africa (1984), Chimurenga for Justice (1986), Zimbabwe Mozambique (1987), Varombo Kuvarombo (1988), Corruption (1989), Chamunorwa (1991), Chimurenga Masterpiece (1991), Chimurenga International (1993), Hondo (1993), Chimurenga Varieties (1994), Sweet Chimurenga (1994), Afro Chimurenga (1996), Roots Chimurenga (1996), Singles Collection 1977 – 1986 (1996), African Spirit Music (1996), Chimurenga Movement (1997), Chimurenga 98 (1997), Live at El Rey (1998), Chimurenga Explosion (1999), Chimurenga Rebel (2000), Manhungetunge (2002), Toi Toi (2002), Live at SOBs: New York City 1991 Set 1 (2003), Live at SOBs: New York City 1991 Set 2 (2006), Rise Up (2006), Unplugged (2006), Exile (2006), Dangerzone (2010), Live at The Sanctuary for Independent Media (2015), 10th Anniversary (2016), Ndikutambire (2023).