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Thomas Mapfumo: Political Song in an African VoiceAuthor: Al Green
At the age of ten, he went to live with his Uncle in Salisbury (Harare), where he was exposed to the modern music of the fifties and sixties, as British and American technology began the first wave of "globalization" in the music industry in Africa. Gravitating to the musicians life, and playing "copyright" music to survive as a musician, he also began to forge his own sound in the seventies, using Shona lyrics and traditional styles as the Second Chimurenga built momentum. This movement adopted his songs, and he the Movement. His early singles were a valuable tool of resistance, sung in a language the oppressor did not fully understand. Yet, many ideas were evident. The title of Thomas’ first recorded album "HOKOYO! / THOMAS MAPFUMO & THE ACID BAND" (GRAMMA,ZIMBABWE,1976) meant "Watch Out!". The record was banned by the Smith government, the first in a long history of banning by both white and black regime. Smith, a few years later, arrested and detained Thomas in prison. Thomas was released after agreeing begrudgingly to perform at Bishop Muzorewa’s inaugural, (the puppet of the Smith regime). He played his most controversial songs in protest, yet was further vilified in the press as a collaborator, after the government suggested that Thomas supported the Bishop. His songs, after Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, initially praised the new order, praised Mugabe personally, and urged people to follow the new government. He also spoke of social issues, such as alcoholism and poverty, and of Africa’s plight. As the Mugabe government disintegrated into scandal after scandal over human rights abuses, political corruption, corporate fraud and thuggery, Thomas’ music spoke to the people who were suffering. His 1989 CD Corruption (Mango, 1989) pointed the finger at those responsible, and was the first of Thomas’ releases that Mugabe banned under his rule. In 1999, Chimurenga Explosion (CMC, 1999) had two of it’s songs banned, and 2001’s Chimurenga Rebel (CMC, 2001) was banned entirely from ZBC airwaves. 2003 finds Toi Toi (CMC, 2003) number one on Gramma Records cassette sales charts, but banned from airplay. The government also worked in other ways and, in 2000 Thomas was accused of being part of an automobile theft ring and had all his automobiles impounded by the police. A magistrate said Thomas and his wife should be arrested; Thomas was never charged with any crime, but never regained his property.Other economic strangleholds were placed on Thomas through intimidation of those who played his music, or sold it. Thomas moved his family to the US in 2000, fearing for their continued
safety in Zimbabwe. In 2001, Police and CIO sources told Thomas they
were out to "get" him. In 2002, there was a "war on Mapfumo" on
at the Ministry of Information, according to Thomas’ manager, Cuthbert
Chiromo. Each Winter, Thomas returns to Zimbabwe for the Holiday shows
and celebrations, never sure if it is safe. Demonstrations, however, although called for by some, are also banned. Al Green March 11, 2003 Al Green manages Anonymous Web Productions/aNOnym reCOrds References The Rough Guide to World Music, Vol 1, 1999,
Rough Guides ltd. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1914230.stm
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