Music Therapy : Overcoming Election Depression

Zimbos have been through a roller-coaster of emotions this week, the elections are a drain especially when you see your future robbed in front of your eyes. Its always hard to come back to reality from such a heartbreak, so if you need some escape to calm down, mourn and get yourself back in one piece. I have compiled a playlist to help you fight the depression, give you hope and the kick you need to jump-start your life.

Have used myself as a test subject, so will be giving you tracks that always uplifts me, songs that calm me down songs that helps be get it together. Music Therapy.

Asked for some suggestions on my twitter profile @Proud_Zimbo and received 3 suggestions. Thank you very much for the three that got in touch. So will first share with your those 3 suggestions then will give you 7 others from me.

1. Wenyasha - Ziso Ramwari (suggested by @wenyasha)

This is a beautiful track suggested by the artist who created the track. On this track Wenyasha is saying the attention of the Lord is upon me and I will overcome. In a time like this we need to know that the Lord is there for us as a nation and we can succeed. 

2. Winky D - Ngirozi (suggested by @tmmymaponga263)

This is the leading track from Winky D's latest album Gombwe. On this track Winky is saying that he was hoping that a savior is coming, he was hoping that change is coming because the people have suffered a lot. The elections got many thinking that we were going to move at a different trajectory as a nation and at the moment it does not seem so, so many are crying that they hoped their candidate was gonna take Zim on a positive path. 

3. Red Rat - Rise Up Zimbabwe (suggested by @elmashura)

This track came up a couple of years back when Zim Dancehall was about to reach its peak. It excited many to hear an iconic Jamaican artists endorsing Zim. On the track Red Rat was urging Zimbos to rise up and move the country forward. Its a message we all need to hear at the moment, despite our frustrations and disappointments we need to rise up and improve our beloved country.

Now to complete the list below are my suggestions: 

4. Andy Brown - Zindoga

My current favorite from the late iconic guitarist and artist Andy Brown. It took me some time to get myself a copy of this track. This tracks has some very lovely guitar work that will offer you an escape. It talks about deciding to stop relying on others, as Zimbos we should stop over-relying on one person but we should define our own destinies and take control of them. 

5. Chiwoniso Maraire - Tamari

From the current mbira queen to the previous late one. First heard this track as a soundtrack on the iconic local movie Everyone's Child. Its a beautiful track that will have u deep in thought. It talks about overcoming the undeserving challenges that life throws at you. So as Zimbos despite the challenges we face daily, we should stay strong and we can overcome them. 

6. Hope Masike - Wepepedu

My favorite track from the Mbira Queen Hope Masike. Its a departure from her usual sound but beautiful nonetheless. It talks about forbidden love, its well sung, Hope's vocals are very lovely. The bass is on point, it hits the right spots every-time. This track gives me an escape to a feel good world, it makes me forget the struggles for some minutes and such a refreshing moment is vital in this life we live. 

7. Leonard Dembo - Madhiri

The godfather of sungura has many smooth classics and this is the one I chose for today. The reason  chose this track besides that it sounds fantastic is that it talks about hustling, making deals so I want to urge every Zimbo that regardless of what has happened we need to keep hustling, bills still need to be paid, keep working for your lives and families. 

8. Culture T - Dzimba Remabwe

Culture is arguably the finest roots reggae artists ever produced in Zim, if he were here today he wold be pushing the reggae sound higher. On this track he urges Zimbos to unite and work as one, regardless of our skin colour or ethnicity, we need to be united as one and take this country forward. 

9. ExQ feat Adonis - Mazirudo

This is one of those tracks that solidified ExQ as an Icon and endeared him with a lot of ladies all over Zim. More than 15 years later this tracks is still sooo smooth and goes down very well. This track takes me to a time when life was still good, it gives me the nostalgic feeling, and it a feeling I want to feel again. So it reassures me that even if life is hard now, I once felt glad and that can happen again. 

10.  Decibel - Nakai

If you cannot sing along to this song word to word then i question how Zimbabwean you are. Its one of those timeless classics which will take you to the good old days every-time you hear it. Like the track above it again makes you realize that once life was not so painful and it is possible to have that feeling once again. 

Bonus: Prudence Katomeni Mbofana - Susan

It doesn't matter whether you have heard this specific song or not but if you're Zim you can sing along to it. Its a beautiful rendition of a classic playground song and takes me to the 90's when I was still very  young, playing with wire cars and broken bricks shaped as cars. Life was perfect then and would love for it to be perfect again. It would be amazing living a life where you don't have any stress about paying this bill of the other but enjoying life knowing all is in order.

So those are the 10 plus one bonus tracks that can help lift your mood. Feel free to share with other tracks that help you get your motivation back when you are feeling low.

Proud_Zimbo