Album Review: Killer T - Mashoko Anopfura

Killer T earned himself a lot of fans and respect from his superb Ngoma Ndaimba (2015) album which Zimbos from all backgrounds and ages could relate to. He followed that album with Bvunza Tinzwe which was not as good as its predecessor but regardless also got a lot of love from fans. Since then whenever Killer T drops a track, EP or album you are guaranteed a lot of Zimbos will be waiting for it. 

In the build up to this album they teased that he will collaborating with the biggest artist in Zimbabwe Jah Prayzah and that got a lot of people talking. Unsurprisingly the collaboration is the lading track from the album. Also on this album we get to see different sides of Killer T, there is the old Killer T which many Zimbos have fallen in love with and then there is the experimenting Killer T. Have managed to listen to the album and today will be sharing my views and thoughts on the album.

As usual will be doing the track by track review of the album:

1.  Rudo Ibofu

This is a track about how relationships can ruin your life, love is blind they say so most times you will not know the baggage of stress you have invited into your life. The production is done in a typical Killer T way and sounds the same as most of his other tracks. 

2. Mu Game

On this track Killer T reverted to his usual type and structure, where we get a sort of bouncy subdued instrumental and Killer T with a similar vocal structure. He is saying that he has been in the game for quite some time now and he has managed to maintain his level since then. 

  Mashoko Anopfura

Killer T continues on his typical structure but unlike most of the other tracks on the album it works on this track. It will remind you of the old Killer T, the one who gave us the Ngoma Ndaimba album. The overall production is done well, the vocals are also good. The name Mashoko Anopfura is a powerful statement but the theme is the usual haters theme, however it all just clicks on this track. 

3. Kufamba KwaPaurosi

This is another song which caused some commotion a few days before the album was released and I have to say it's quite a good jam. Killer T borrowed from a popular mapostori song and he did a solid job. If there was no JP feature on the track Hondo this was going to be the leading single from the album. The production is done quite well, its stripped so as to not dilute the Mapostori charm and it works. 

4. Hondo (feat Jah Prayzah)

This is the leading track from the album, the combination of Killer T & JP on its own was gonna cause quite some commotion. The track is about saying no to the constant struggles and wars that we have amongst ourselves as Zimbos. It urging people to be united and learn the culture of uplifting others. Some have interpreted the track saying JP was aiming the track at the artists that he signed to his MTM records especially Andy Muridzo and after listening to the track a couple of times, I sort of agree with that interpretation. The artists both delivered good performances even though the track feels more like a JP track than a Killer T track. 

5. Waidongorera
This song is a deviation from the usual typical Killer T song, it sounds like a Mathias Mhere and JP hybrid. The guitar work is done quite well and the overall production is not bad.  The vocals however are not that impressive, it feels as if Killer T  did not even want to sing, he just plagiarized JP's style and did not even bother to add any additions of his own.

6. Huyai

On this song Killer T is asking all those who are always calling for him to be on stage if they wild dance to his music and also are there all his fans or they just want to pull him down. The production is very lowkey, its a lazy song and the sound has failed to excite me. The performance by Killer T was also lazy and uninspiring.

7. Hupenyu Wenherera

Killer T gained a lot of fans because of his deep cutting lyrics, on his day he tackles some very deep issues in an amazing well and this is one of those tracks. He is singing about the life of an orphan, the struggles and hardships orphans face in their lives. Many people will pledge to help in several ways but for most it's just so that other family members think that they are helpful but in reality they never fulfill their promises. They went for a reggae structure on this track and its sounding quite well, one of less awful tracks on the album.

8. Hondo Yenzara
Killer T is sometimes regarded as the modern version of James Chimombe because of how he mostly sings about struggles, anenge achingochema mostly about how he grew up and how relatives turned a blind eye on hi struggles. This track falls into that category, he is saying since birth they were fighting hunger. The production is done quite okay, it's a typical arrangement you will hear from a lot of local dancehall tracks. In terms of vocal performance, Killer T delivered his signature performance.

9. Ndamuda

He switched up to a love theme on this song, where he is singing about a lady he met and fell in love with her. Killer T is vowing to marry this lady despite people saying he is too young and wont be able to handle marriage. The productions follows that afro beat kind of dancehall which has grown in popularity since Winky's Disappear. Killer T delivered a commendable performance on the track, its surprisingly quite entertaining, another less awful jam.

10. Mashoko Anopfura

The title track of the album is arguably the best track on the album, this is the old Killer T who made many fall in love with him. The production is done well, the instrumental managed to complement Killer T perfectly. Killer T was good on the vocals, delivering a strong performance that will have many singing along. On the track he is saying that let the haters talk, it's okay but words pass and I'll be still standing.  

11. Everyday

From the onset you will hear we are in for another generic kind of structure and feel, you just feel as if you have heard this track before. The production is standard but lacks innovation. On this track Killer T is saying I pray everyday so my plans will work out well. 

12. Handigumbuke

This is one of those tracks whereby you will only know it because of the chorus which is quite catchy but the verses are just bad. Its another song aimed at the haters, Killer T is saying he will not be bothered by them. 

13.  Magitare

This track reminds of Vanorohwa nemabeer from his last album, it has a similar feel and structure to that track. On this track he is singing about dancing to music and enjoying dancehall music. The vocals are the usual Killer T signature vocals.

14. Tamba Navo

This is one those tracks that is specifically made for the dancefloor and its most probably going to get quite a lot of airplay in clubs and parties. The production is done quite well, Dj Tamuka did a good job on the production. Killer T delivered his usual signature performance and the track is about having a good time with all you associates.

15. Rovai Makuva

This track is not going to sit well with a lot of Zimbos give the wave of Christianity that has sweeped the nation. These days any form of tradition is regarded as evil and kurova makuva is at the top of that list. However in summary this track talks about respecting and following our tradition. Killer T delivered his signature style which will get some people nodding to the beat regardless of the fact that they despise the message. 

16. Fambisai Shoko

This is another party jam which falls under the generic sound that makes you feel as if you have heard it before. The production is quite generic, it just copies and paste a common structure and sound. 

17. Mweya Mutsvene
After the launch of the album many were saying JP has a hand in the sound and lyrics on a number of tracks and this track is plainly in JP's lane. The theme suggests that it's a gospel song but the overall feel structure make it a traditional song same as Jah Prayzah's Muchinjiko track which blurs the line between music for spirit mediums and christian gospel. The production is  however done quite well despite.

Stream the album:  Mashoko Anopfuura on Spotify

Stream on soundcloud:

So ya that's it for the album Mashoko Anopfura. The album is largely disappointing, in fact its a disaster. After the whole week of listening it just seems that the track has basically three tracks; Mashoko Anopfura, Hondo & Kufamba Kwapaurosi out of all the 17 tracks, all the other tracks you can even ignore them.

Most of the songs follow the typical Killer T songs structure which is now monotonous, the style needs to be refreshed. Many a times you cannot know if the track you a re listening to is a new track or its an old track. Complained about the same thing on his last album Bvunza Tinzwe and it seems nothing has changed, it has in fact gotten much worse. The we go to the JP inspired songs, honestly that sound is now flooded, currently JP is everywhere and its a matter of time till people are fed up with his sound and that will negatively affect Killer T's album. Their collaborative track Hondo is going to garner a lot of views and airplay mainly because of the star power but the moment that track fizzles out it the moment people forget Killer T released an album.

To conclude this review I have to say Killer T is capable of doing much better than this, if he gets back to his roots and refresh his sound he can deliver. I cannot even recommend this album, its definite Killer T is going to release a number of singles in the coming months to cover for this album and hopefully those will be better.

My overall rating: A, B, C, Poor.

What are your thoughts on the album???

Proud Zimbo