OFTEN the quality of lyrics in a song guarantees its longevity on the market.
It is an open secret that every year hit songs are released, but it is only those with depth in meaning that have managed to outlive the passage of time.
Yesteryear productions by artistes like the late Leonard Dembo, Ketai Muchawaya, James Chimombe, Biggie Tembo, John Chibadura and Paul Matavire among others are still relevant to date because of the quality of lyrics that characterised the music.
The message is timeless.
The music of great artistes is still relevant to date despite the cultural evolutions that we have gone through and the artistes having gone to the yonder world.
But sadly, the rate of quality productions has dropped.
For instance, in genres like Zim-dancehall and the general Urban Grooves that have more than 500 active artistes only a few individuals are appreciated across the generation divide.
Artistes like Tocky Vibes, Killer T, Alexio Kawara, Trevor Dongo and Diana Samkange are among the few that have easily been embraced in all spheres.
And the reason for their acceptance is that they have mastered the art of producing thought provoking songs.
But wherein comes this skill of producing rich music so-to-speak?
Indications are that the art of coming up with poignant lyrics is not something that can be mastered overnight.
In most cases it is influenced by an artiste’s up bring.
Songs by musicians as much as they tell various stories in the society they also tell the personal story of the musician.
The lyrics of superstar Oliver Mtukudzi aptly tell what the man is all about and where he has come from.
Albums such as Ndipeiwo Zano (1978) and Chokwadi Chichabuda (1979) are laden with poignant lyrics that tell one Tuku indeed was born in Highfield.
Highfield was the hotbed of the liberation struggle.
There is no doubt that the music of the Sungura legend Alick Macheso, popular with many has been well received due to its unique lyrics influenced by the maestro’s childhood spent in a farm compound (Komboni) in the Musana area, Bindura.
Born in 1968 to parents of Malawian origin, Macheso has not discarded his past which is evident in his compositions that are full of rich idioms and imagery out of this world.
Macheso’s songs are a hard dose of reality, in typical komboni style there is no beating about the bush, information, advise is delivered straight-up.
Thus his music continues to be popular among people living in the ghetto, farm compounds and rural areas.
In one of his songs, ‘Chikopokopo’ Macheso says, “… Vabereki tisarere vana mutray kuvaita sechingwa, ngativarerei, mumazvirokwazvo, mune zvekwedu zvimwe zvisi zvevamwe.”
One is able to realise, understand and visualise the dangers of spoiling children.
High riding Mukudzei Mukombe, popularly known as Jah Prayzah, produces music that clearly highlights the touch and feel of Uzumba where he was born and raised.
As someone who grew up in Murehwa and did part of his education at Musami High School, Jah Prayzah reflects the feel of jiti, a common practice in Murehwa.
In his lyrics, Jah Prayzah reflects who he is as a human being, where he comes from.
Musicians that have not fought their past, but remained true to it have and continue to make music that is keenly felt by the intended audience.
Even in the dancehall genre that has been criticised for vulgarity and promotion of vices are artistes that stand out.
The youths in the genre that look up to foreigners forgetting they are Zimbabweans are the ones that tarnish the image of the genre.
But some like Tocky Vibes who are in close touch with their roots and struggles have been coming up with compositions worth listening to.
True artistes are indeed a sum of their experiences.