SA-based Zim musician Chris Million Masocha wins t...

SA-based Zim musician Chris Million Masocha wins top music award in Mzansi

Edmore Zvinonzwa

Zimbabwe-born South Africa-based musician, Chris “Million” Masocha recently bagged the Best Male Musician gong at the Nelson Mandela Bay Zim Business Excellence Awards in Port Elizabeth.

Masocha, who has popularised sungura in Mzansi, said he was elated to receive the honour.

“I feel so horned and I didn’t see it coming my way. I thought someone else was going to take it since people were pushing their links for votes,” said the musician, who also had a word for young artistes.

“My advice is young artistes is that they must not give up, they must keep pushing for new sound.”

Born on 13 April, 1980, Million attended Kawara Primary School in Mubaira, Mhondoro from Grade One to Seven.

He then proceeded to Beatrice High School for his secondary education but was to remain only until he was in Form Three. He completed his secondary education at Seke 4 High School before joining Speciss College, where he graduated with a Certificate in Building Trades.

The singer said he liked music from an early age but there was no one around him who could teach him.

“It took me very long to really get into it because of lack of exposure since I happen to be a reserved individual who likes living by himself. It was only when I was already in South Africa that I really started writing songs,” said Million, who said getting into music was a way of fulfilling a wish that was growing within him.

“Today, when I look at what is on the ground, music is a professional career I may pursue going forward, from the way things are going right now,” he said.

It was one day when he met with a group called Zim Select while celebrating his birthday while the group was performing at Welcome Club back home in Chitungwiza.

“I was taken aside by Patrick Mpala who asked me if I had any written music. I told him that I had many written songs. I even went on stage and performed some of them,” added the musician.

Later, Million says, he started working on a demo with Mpala. The Zim Select group saw he was talented and started rehearsing with him.

“This led to their first album Muri Huchi in 2017.

Million, who can play many genres, said he is a unique singer, who has no specific genre although he is am more into sungura.

Million has several pieces to his name, including Tanha Dzaunosvikira (2019), Chasatani Hachidyiwe Mahara (2021), Mhanduwe Musadaro, Kumhunga Kune Ipwa and Haribude Rakamirirwa.

An Information Technology person, Million says he is a street hustler, with shops that sell computers and accessories as well as salons, in Port Elizabeth.

However, his mind is on music and feels he will go far.

“I have a lot in store. In three years’ time, music should take us far, including taking our music to other countries in the region and beyond,” Million said.

Million said he is working on a single that is coming soon and is a tribute to Nicholas Madzibaba Zakaria responding to what Wicknell Chivhayo said about the sungura music icon.

“We will be releasing an album in August this year,” Masocha said.