Makore to Be Crowned Chimurenga Successor as He La...

Makore to Be Crowned Chimurenga Successor as He Launches New Album Dzimwe Nguva

Witness Runodada, ZimNow Reporter

Chimurenga musician Kurai Makore is poised to inherit the mantle from legendary icon Thomas Mapfumo, with whom he shares a deep family bond and artistic lineage.

A cousin to Mapfumo, Makore is set to be symbolically crowned as the next Chimurenga torchbearer during Mapfumo’s final performance, scheduled for August 23 in the United Kingdom.

While Makore humbly resists being called Mapfumo’s successor, he acknowledges the profound influence the elder artist has had on his career.

“I can’t call myself his successor, but someone he nurtured,” Makore said. Mapfumo, a towering figure in Zimbabwean music, has not only shaped Makore’s artistic direction but also contributed directly to some of his works, including the single Zvinonetsa.

As he prepares to step into the spotlight, Makore will launch his third studio album, Dzimwe Nguva, on August 8 at Sherwood Golf Club. The event will feature notable supporting acts such as Juntal, celebrated as the King of Rhumba, and Mbeu, another emerging voice in Zimbabwean music. The album promises a mature and introspective tone, touching on life’s unpredictable twists.

“Some other times, we chase victory and find defeat,” Makore explains, emphasizing the album’s theme of life’s uncertainties.

Makore’s journey into music officially began in 2019 when he performed covers of Mapfumo’s classics. His breakthrough came when KOM Studios discovered him playing the song Kariba. Impressed by his talent, they urged him to begin writing original compositions and offered to record his work. This marked the start of a focused musical path that has seen Makore grow from a passionate performer into a serious recording artist.

His debut single Rombe introduced him to the national stage, followed by his first album Gara Unzwe in 2020. In 2022, he released Ngoma Kurira, reaffirming his commitment to Chimurenga music infused with modern narratives.

With Dzimwe Nguva, Makore is expected to deliver a more refined and seasoned sound, signaling his readiness to carry the Chimurenga flame forward.

Makore also revealed that Mapfumo continues to provide guidance on his compositions. “He helps me in correcting the songs I write,” he said, acknowledging the mentorship that remains central to his artistic development.

Beyond the album launch, Makore plans to embark on a promotional tour that will include music videos and live performances aimed at bringing the message of Dzimwe Nguva to a wider audience. He remains realistic but determined about his role in preserving and elevating the Chimurenga genre.

“It’s not easy to get to where Thomas Mapfumo is, but we will try by all means to get there and continue uplifting Chimurenga music,” he said.

As Mapfumo prepares for his final bow from the stage, Makore’s rise appears both timely and symbolic — a passing of the torch from one generation to the next, with the hope that Chimurenga will remain a living, evolving voice of the people.