HARARE – The airwaves are buzzing with the latest offering from Peter Moyo, the son of the late sungura legend Tongai “Dhewa” Moyo.
His new video for the track “Zuva Remuchato” from his sixth album, “Mwana WaMambo,” has been making waves since its release on Saturday, garnering over 24,000 views on YouTube.
This latest release is more than just a music video; it’s a statement, a declaration of Peter’s evolution as an artist, and a testament to the legacy he’s striving to build.
The six-track album, “Mwana WaMambo,” released last October, is a departure from Peter’s earlier work. It showcases a new level of maturity and confidence in his vocals and songwriting. The album, featuring tracks like “Igwe,” “Ndiwe Urikupisa,” and “Mwari Wangu,” is a sonic journey that reveals a different Peter Moyo altogether. His vocals are relaxed, controlled, and confident, with a clear intonation that resonates from the opening track to the last.
“I just dropped the video of the track Zuva Remuchato and I believe it is proof that we will get there, although the journey is not so easy,” Peter told NewsDay.
Peter said the industry had changed him a lot, for the better.
“I am now a different guy compared to who I was before the fame,” he said.
This newfound confidence in his voice is a stark contrast to his earlier recordings, where some critics felt his vocals didn’t quite match the quality of the Utakataka Express band’s music.
“It is difficult to keep my father’s legacy alive because some people always compare me to him before appreciating my art,” Peter admitted.
The album “Mwana WaMambo” is a testament to Peter’s growth as an artist, showcasing a unique blend of traditional sungura sounds with a modern twist. The songs are laden with poignant lyrics that address social issues and suit different occasions.
“Zuva Remuchato,” for example, encourages couples to wait for God’s timing before rushing into marriage, while “Igwe” serves as a powerful introduction to the album, hinting at the unique product that has been unveiled.
Peter’s musical journey has been marked by a constant evolution. From his debut album “Mushonga Mukuru” to the more mature “Mopao Mokonzi” and the eclectic “Mixed Bag Volume 1,” Peter has consistently displayed a growing understanding of music and a desire to explore new sounds.
However, Peter’s journey to becoming a musician was not without its twists and turns. Until he was in Grade Six, he was unaware of his father’s identity. He would often pass by his father’s house, unaware that he was in his own family’s territory.
His mother, for personal reasons, delayed revealing the truth about his father. Peter was raised by his grandmother, alongside seven other grandchildren, while his mother had relocated to South Africa.
It was only after completing Grade Six that his mother finally told him the truth about his father, who by then had moved from Mbizo to Masasa.
Despite the challenges of living in the shadow of his father’s legacy, Peter has persevered, carving his own path in the music industry. He has embraced his father’s musical heritage while adding his own unique flavour to the sungura genre.
In all his previous recordings, Peter has been chastised by some critics, who felt his voice was not doing justice to the good sound produced by the band — Utakataka Express. However, the musician seems to be doing some serious homework behind the scenes if his latest offering is anything to go by.
The six-track album presents a different Peter Moyo altogether. He sounds relaxed and in control of the vocals. His intonation is on point, right from the opening track up to the last one. Maybe this was because he tried to sound more like himself than trying to copy his father’s vocal artistry. The late Igwe had a smooth and “universally” appealing voice that was suited for both high and low pitch vocals.
Peter, popularly known as Mwana Nzambe, is the son of the late sungura legend Tongai “Dewa” Moyo. He has tried to keep his father’s spirit alive, keep his father’s genre alive and even going to the extent of dressing like him, which has won him praise from his fans.
Despite being showered with praises, Peter told NewsDay that: “It is difficult to keep my father’s legacy alive because some people always compare me to him before appreciating my art.”
This Saturday, Peter Moyo will be performing at Longcheng Plaza in Belvedere, Harare, giving fans another opportunity to experience his evolving musical style.
