Album Review: Killer T - Bvunza Tinzwe

Killer T released a monster album last year titled Ngoma Ndaimba and it went on to become the best Dancehall album on 2015. The only blemish to Killer T's near perfect year was Winky D's Gafa Life which came out in October and went on to rule the festive season. It pushed Killer T album off from the top position despite it being on top of the charts for 3 quarters of the year. This year he released a Pari Tricky singles compilation earlier in the year and it contained some big jams like Dai Zvaibvira and Takangodaro which will definitely be vying for track of the year. Many had thought that he was finished with 2016 but then he released the Bvunza Tinzwe Album. This time he released after Winky and it will be interesting to see which album will dominate the festive season. But this year its not only the two of them, Freeman released a hugely successful album earlier in the year titled Mangoma Ihobho which up to this point is still the best project of the year, Winky's Album failed to beat Freeman's Album and now will the Killer T album remove it from the top???!!! Also Seh Calaz will be releasing a new album on the 1st of December so it's gonna be an interesting end to the year. Enough with the summaries, so how does Bvunza Tinzwe fare???

From the title Bvunza Tinzwe you know that Killer T will be asking a lot of questions?? Possibly to the Lord Almighty becasue a lot of Killer T's music is gospel themed in a way. Killer T is known to be always singing about suffering, pain & worries, he is more like the James Chimombe of modern times. So the album contains 13 tracks and will be giving a track by track review of the album.

1. Bvunza Tinzwe

The album opens with the title track. On this track Killer T is asking a lot of questions to the Lord. He is asking if the Lord is seeing his troubles, asking what happens to those who leave us, asking what happens in the after life. The lyrics are okay and are structured in a catchy way. He asked some very good questions and others are not so good. Now the theme aside this song is just a replica of Itai Ndione, both in the way the lyrics & instrumental are structured. The song in overall is sounding good but such levels of recycling show lack of creativity/inovaition from both the artist and producer.

2. Kugara Newe

There has been a rise in the amount of afro beat influenced dancehall tracks and Killer T follows suit in this jam. The instrumental is sounding good, its structured in a way that will get a lot of people on the Dance-floor, good work by Oskid. Killer T is just saying to his girl that he wants to live with her, he may not have much at the moment but he is willing to start working towards that with her besides him. Simple but powerful. The chorus is catchy and easy to follow, coupled with the instrumental it's one catchy song. I see this one getting a lot of airplay this coming festive season.

3. Vanorohwa Nemabeer

The instrumental sounds a lot like Vanondibatirana, with some minor changes. Oskid has mastered this kind of sound but he needs to spruce it up a bit, its now too generic. On this track Killer T is interceding for his fellow Zimbo's, he is asking for the Lord to have mercy on his fellow Zimbos who indulge in drugs, alcohol...as there are forces that push them to do that. This track is just a loop, the same lyrics from the first part to the end, personally I do not relate or get what he is saying here the theme is a no for me. 

4. Nhaiwe Rufu

The track above sounds like Vanondibatirana and this one is actually a replica of Vanondibatirana. Played the tracks back to back many times and i'm convinced Oskid just used the same template, for this track, the above track and Vanondibatirana. This level of replication is just taking fans for granted. On this track Killer is asking death why it always come an ruin the happiness of people. There are many deaths happening all around us and Killer T is just questioning why is it like so. In overall Killer T gave a signature Killer T performance. The instrumental is sounding good but again, you feel the similarities, nothing new.

5. Dai Magona Kunamata

On this track Killer T is saying, cast you worries and problems unto the Lord. Do not cry or spend time worrying about the difficulties but learn to pray and the Lord will take care of the rest. Powerful. With the economic hardships happening all around us, such inspiring words are important. The instrumental her is on a reggae tip and its sounding very good. Oskid came out of his comfort zone and delivered a John Chibadura reggae kind of sound. The instrumental arrangement is on point. All in all this is a solid jam, one of my favourite on the album. This can enter the gospel charts and possibly rise to the top.

6. Wakandigona

Killer T switched from the usual dancehall sound to a more Mathias Mhere/Blessing Shumba kind of sound and its a bit polarizing for me; for a dancehall album I did not expect such a song it kills the flow and vibe, on the other hand if you look at it from the Mathias Mhere kind of vibe its arranged quite good. However its not fitting for this album. Killer T gave his signature vocal performance. All in all this should not have been included in the album.

7. Hauchaterera

On this track is addressing the issue of young kids who are no longer listening to their guardians, those who spend their time out and about and ignore helping out at home. This in a way is like a rephrasing of Chikorobho a track from his last album. Regardless its a very serious theme so I give him a pass. The production is done well, the instrumental complement the instrumental quite well.

8. Vana Vangu

Parents strive to give their kids the best. Children are the reason why parents wake up every day and go to work, children give parents a reason to live. Killer T is singing about the dream of every parent; that  when the time of eternal rest comes they will have provided an inheritance for their children. Powerful. The production is also done very well, the instrumental is typical Oskid and it complements the instrumental well

9. Vakandinyararidza

On this track Killer T is saying the Lord comforted him in his time of need. The Lord said to him do not cry for I am with you and it shall be well. Many people are failing to make ends meet and such hope and inspiration is needed, people need to know the Lord is with them and he will provide and meet them at the time of their need. Powerful. The instrumental is sounding okay, its complementing the lyrics very well. I can see this song getting into the Gospel charts and possibly reaching the top spot.

10. Mumwe Wangu

This track addresses that issue whereby a dear friend cuts ties with you once they make it in life. After years of planning, supporting each other & sharing dreams, they leave you once they get a breakthrough. Killer T gave a good vocal performance. The instrumental is sounding okay. Nice song.

11. Mafans Angu

They switched up things to a hip hop sound on this track. The instrumental is sounding okay, its my first time hearing Oskid on Hip Hop track and he did well. On the track Killer T is just giving his utmost thanks to his fans, those who have supported him on his journey. Its the fans who give him the strength to keep on moving when he is feeling weak. The vocal performance from Killer T was okay. In overall however the song sound out of place just like Wakandigona, it kills the vibe and should not have been included on the album.

12. Ndisungei

Killer switched from Oskid to Munya Vialy on this jam and from the onset you can hear the difference in sound. They went for a Jah Prayzah/Andy Muridzo kind of sound and it's sounding okay. Killer T is addressing that issue whereby people or family members of friends overlook you because your are not better financially positioned. The skip you when discussing important issues becasue they feel as if your input is less important. So he is saying being poor is not a crime, but its a phase and one will not be like so forever. In overall the song is sounding okay but the change in sound disturbs the flow of the album.

13. Mutoro Warema

Killer T continued with Munya Vialy on this jam. Its on a reggae tip and its sounding very good, the instrumental arrangement is done very well. On this track Killer T is crying out to the Lord to give him strength in times of weakness, because when the burden is too much he will be forced to sin against the Lord. He does not want to sin against the Lord so he needs strength to handle the burdens and deal with them without resorting to bad things. Killer T delivered a passionate performance on the track and is on point.

In overall this an okay album. The production is standard but the lack of diversity in choice/structure of instrumentals makes the album a bit flat. Killer T gave his signature performance throughout the album which is okay. The album is heavily gospel themed, Killer T is asking a lot of questions to the Lord and it serves the album title well.

Last year's Ngoma Ndaimba was a surprise solid package and we were not as used to Oskid's typical sound as we are now. He should have engaged many producers to offer a more diversified sound, like Freeman did on the superb Mangoma Ihobho. Winky D's Gafa  Futi suffers from the same lack of diversity but the album has an overall  more grander feel as compared to this one. This album is a bit on the low side, yes he is singing about problems for the most part but it does not have the same magic as last year's album.

However the album contains some good jam, there is no jam that will beat Takangodaro but there are good ones. My favourite tracks are: Dai Magona Kunamata, Mutoro Warema, Hauchaterera, Kugara Newe & Vakandinyararidza. My least favourite tracks are: Bvunza Tinzwe, Mafans Angu, Wakandigona & Ndisungei.

Proud Zimbo Rating: C (60%)


What are your thoughts on the album??

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