Oliver"Tuku" Mtukudzi | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | (1952-09-22)22 September 1952 |
| Died | 23 January 2019(2019-01-23) (aged 66) Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Genres | Afro Jazz / Tuku Music |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1977–2019 |
Oliver "Tuku"Mtukudzi (22 September 1952 – 23 January 2019) was aZimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist,human rights activist andUNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region.
Mtukudzi grew up inHighfield, inSalisbury (modern-day Harare) inSouthern Rhodesia. He began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that also featuredThomas Mapfumo and fellow guitaristJames Chimombe. They were given the rare opportunity byPaul Tangi Mhova Mkondo, anAfrican nationalist and music promotor, who provided money and resources to the group. He allowed them to perform at Club Mutanga (Pungwe) which, at the time, was the onlynight club available for blacks under Rhodesia's policy of segregation. Their singleDzandimomotera went gold and Tuku's first album followed, which was also a major success. Mtukudzi was also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa's "supergroup".[1]
With his husky voice, Mtukudzi became the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and he earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond. A member of Zimbabwe'sKoreKore group, with Nzou Samanyanga as his totem, he sang in the nation's dominantShona language along withNdebele and English. He also incorporated elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans asTuku Music.
Mtukudzi had a number of tours around the world. He was on several tours in the UK, US and Canada to perform for large audiences. In 2017 Mtukudzi entertained guests at the wedding of Zimbabwean businessmanWicknell Chivayo.[2]
Prior to the independence ofZimbabwe, Mtukudzi's music depicted the struggles underRhodesian white minority rule.[3] In subsequent years followingZimbabwean independence, his music has advocated for tolerance and peace and has frequently portrayed the struggles of women and children.[4]
Mtukudzi was the father of six children(with four different women) and had three grandchildren. His sonSam Mtukudzi, a successful musician in his own right, died in a car accident in March 2010. In 2013, Mtukudzi released an album titled "Sarawoga", in tribute to his son.[5][6][7] His daughter Selmor is also a musician and works with UNICEF.[8]
On 23 January 2019, Mtukudzi died at the age of 66 at Avenues Clinic inHarare, Zimbabwe after a long battle withdiabetes mellitus.[9]
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