10 Albums I'm Looking Forward To In 2017
Last year there were a lot of albums released some were awesome some not so awesome and this year will be no different. However among all the albums that are going to be released there are a few that I am looking forward to the most and thoey are the ones I will be sharing with you today.
Mind you for some of the albums, I do not know their titles as of yet and if you have such knowledge help a brother out in the comments section. Here we go:
1. Mokoomba - Luyando
I'm a huge fan of this band, If you ask me they are the best band and live performers in the whole of Zimbabwe. Their last album was Rising Tide in 2012 ...ya 2012!!!!. The album slowly grew on me. Their music needs time for one to fully appreciate it and once I understood their music everything changed. Despite not really getting much support on the local scene Rising Tide made a mark on the continental and International scene. Luyando already has a lot of publications buzzing, including this one. A lot of expectation are being put on the album and this is not only from Zimbos but from all music fanatics all over Europe. One of Europe's top publications The Guardian listed Luyando as one of the music projects to look out for in 2016. All that is left is for us to wait till mid February and enjoy what they have prepared for us (hopefully).
2. Alexio Kawara - Oyi
Alexio's last album Tose, which also came out in 2012 is a must have album, definitely a collectors item. Like Mokoomba's Rising Tide, Tose was sufficient to keep Alexio relevant for more than 4 years, with only a few singles released in between. The album is so smooth and is getting better with each year. Now its high time we get a new project and Lex himself has confirmed that a new album is coming this year. He released the first single Nehana last year and its a really good jam, smooth, and grand, the production is just awesome. Oyi is definitely one album I am counting down to.
3. Hope Masike - Gwenyambirakadzi
Hope is one of my favourite local artists, she has unique way of doing things. She does not play according to the modern trends but she makes her own trends and that is evident in her music and sense of style. Ndinewe is one track that I will be listening to for years to come, its made so well whenever it plays you cannot help but keep repeating and singing along...one of those hard to skip tracks. She also loves experimenting with her sound which is evident on tracks such as the superb Wepepedu (MbiraSungura), Kwira Gomo and recently Tingwarire (Mbira Dendera). All these experiments were quite successful and that makes me desire for her new album more.....what further experiments has she done?? what kind of fusion does the album hold?? how may tracks as awesome as Ndinewe or Wepepedu??
4. Ammara Brown - Ammartia
Ammara had a very good and successful 2016, two of the tracks she featured (Mukoko & Bhachura Remix) were both huge. Saw her perform at the Biggest Braai and was impressed, she has a great stage presence, a lot of energy and is a talented dancer. But when you really look into it you find out kuti Ammara's biggest tracks in 2016 were tracks she featured on and we are yet to see how good she can be on her own. She is currently doing well with Wachu Want which she featured her sister Chengeto, the track is a good jam and shows she has the potential to deliver on her own, a factor which makes me look forward to her upcoming album much more. If she delivers on this project she will definitely be the queen of Zim music because she already has the support and fan base, all that remains are the hit tracks.
5. Mahendere Brothers - Reunion
This is an ambitious project. The iconic family were at the top of the gospel genre about a decade back, then they went their separate ways and the group was dissolved. Of late the youngest Minister Michael Mahendere has managed to carve himself a spot among the top gospel artists in the country thanks to his widely successful Getting Personal With God 2 album. The brothers are well known and they are hoping to capitalize on their good name in Gospel music circles for the success of this one. They gave us the iconic tracks Psalms 23, Hupenyu Hwepanyika and I doubt they will surpass that but you never now and such uncertainty gives the upcoming album a good platform.
6. ExQ - Unnamed
Loved ExQ's last album Putiti (Putiti Album Review). The album was released end of year in 2015 and was largely overshadowed by Winky D's Gafa Life Kickstape (well every album was overshadowed that festive season) so that delayed the reach & success of the album. Once the Disappear craze died down Putiti started taking root with tracks such as Mamoyo and Bhachura getting a lot of love and airplay. The release of the Bhachura Remix visuals breathed new life into the album and suddenly Zimbo's realized ExQ has a very good album. He hinted that he will be releasing a new album this year and I am waiting for that album. He released probably the first single Jerusarema featuring the HKD Boss Freeman and its sounding very good....if that's a sign of things to come, the album will be another success.
7. Jah Prayzah - Unnamed
Its near obvious that Jah will release an album this year. He is in that Tuku kind of mode, releasing an album every year and maybe he may release two or three like what Tuku did over his long career. I'm not that big a Jah Prayzah fan but I appreciate what he has done to for local music and Zimbabwe as a whole. The thing i'm anxious to see the most is which sound he will adopt on his next album??!! Is he gonna stick with his own traditional signature brand of sound or given the success of Watora Mari he is going to switch to pop (which in Africa its afro beat)??. He has an upcoming single with SA's iconic group Mafikizolo which the whole of Zim is waiting for, so I wonder how many continental collaborations his next album will have??!!. Jah has conquered Zim no doubt about that and he is now going for the African market. He already has the home support needed to conquer but how is he gonna do it??!! The next album may hold all the answers.
8. Janet Manyowa - Unnamed plus/or King Of Glory Deluxe Edition
Janet entered the gospel music scene in 2015 with the track Awesome God featuring Comfort Manyame and followed that with a favourite of mine Ndomira Pamuri, which went on to become a massive success and endeared many Zimbos to her music. In Aug 2015 she released her Debut Album King Of Glory (King Of Glory Album Review) and the album has won more awards in the past two years than any other gospel album, it has more chart toppers in the past two years compared to anyone else in the gospel genre and it is one of the only two albums that have managed to get a A+ rating on this blog. Now the album although still sounding great and powerful as the day it was released is now nearly 2 yrs old and a new offering must be in the books. She has hinted that a deluxe edition of King Of Glory will be released soon, don't know how many new songs will be added if any will be added!!?? Given the lasting power of King Of Glory she can go another year without an album, but if she is to become the new face of Gospel music she has to release a number of new tracks and keep Zimbos worshiping and blessed.
9. Prayersoul - Unnamed
He is undoubtedly the best when it comes to soul music in the country. Soul may not be that popular but Prayersoul remains superbly talented. Whether it's his own track or a chorus on someone, Prayersoul always delivers. Loved his debut self titled album Prayersoul and last year he announced that a new album is in the works and i'm waiting for it. He released the first single (I think) titled Completely and its a wonderful jam (Completely Track Review). After listening to the jam you can't help it but start looking forward to the whole project. Already counting down to the album.
10. Asaph - Unnamed
The Burg boy has won me over with his past projects and is now my favourite hip hop/rap artist in the country. His Kingsvilla 1 & 2 albums are very engaging and well made, this year he released Diamonds Deserve Diamonds EP over valentines and it's another solid project. I'm not sure is he is going to release Kingsvilla 3 this year or maybe another new series but I will be keeping tabs on the rapper.
So ya for now those are the albums that i'm waiting for in 2017. Obviously there will be other albums not mentioned here that will be released and blow my mind like what Asaph's Kingsvilla2, Sharky's Soko Matemai and Tarimari's Kumusha did to me, so will cast my net wider.
Despite the 10 albums mentioned above there are other artists I will be keeping an eye on, I feel they may give us something this year. Such artists are as follows:
i. Bryan Kadengu - There have been hints of a new project in the works and will definitely be waiting or that. His last album Nyaya Dzerudo is a masterpiece, the second of the only two albums to receive an A+ rating on this blog. The only reason why I did not include him on the list above is because I feel this year he may chose to release a couple of singles and ensure many Zimbos know about him before he drops an album. But hey I may be wrong, either way will be keeping an eye on him.
ii. Jnr Brown - Breezy promised us an album last year and that was not to be so I feel this year he should give us something, an EP or Mixtape if not an album. It's kind of a long shot but I remain hopeful. Jnr Brown needs to show he can deliver in a full project rather than just give a couple of dope bars on a few tracks each year. He has quite a horde of fans but he needs to deliver a project and not remain someone who can kill of other rappers if he wants.....he now needs to actually outclass the other rappers. That just how I feel and hopefully he releases a project this year, fingers crossed.
iii. Fungai Nengare - He is one of the few local artists that are full of soul, his music has this superb feel good vibe and it strikes the right chords. To understand why I'm hoping he gives us a project, take a listen to Maybe It's You featuring DJ Naida, the track will explain everything to you. Hopefully hopefully Fungai gives us a project this year. Would love to see a collaboration between him and Prayersoul or Kevin Munetsi, I believe it would be superb
iv. Victor Kunonga - This also another long shot but judging from his release cycle this year he may release a new album. Loved his last album Kwedu and it's one of the albums I play the most currently and another album will not be a very welcomed present. Victor is already a Jazz icon and you know he will deliver when he releases a project.
So ya those are the ones I will be keeping an eye on. Feel free to comment with the albums you are looking forward to the most in 2017.
3. Hope Masike - Gwenyambirakadzi
Hope is one of my favourite local artists, she has unique way of doing things. She does not play according to the modern trends but she makes her own trends and that is evident in her music and sense of style. Ndinewe is one track that I will be listening to for years to come, its made so well whenever it plays you cannot help but keep repeating and singing along...one of those hard to skip tracks. She also loves experimenting with her sound which is evident on tracks such as the superb Wepepedu (MbiraSungura), Kwira Gomo and recently Tingwarire (Mbira Dendera). All these experiments were quite successful and that makes me desire for her new album more.....what further experiments has she done?? what kind of fusion does the album hold?? how may tracks as awesome as Ndinewe or Wepepedu??
4. Ammara Brown - Ammartia
Ammara had a very good and successful 2016, two of the tracks she featured (Mukoko & Bhachura Remix) were both huge. Saw her perform at the Biggest Braai and was impressed, she has a great stage presence, a lot of energy and is a talented dancer. But when you really look into it you find out kuti Ammara's biggest tracks in 2016 were tracks she featured on and we are yet to see how good she can be on her own. She is currently doing well with Wachu Want which she featured her sister Chengeto, the track is a good jam and shows she has the potential to deliver on her own, a factor which makes me look forward to her upcoming album much more. If she delivers on this project she will definitely be the queen of Zim music because she already has the support and fan base, all that remains are the hit tracks.
5. Mahendere Brothers - Reunion
This is an ambitious project. The iconic family were at the top of the gospel genre about a decade back, then they went their separate ways and the group was dissolved. Of late the youngest Minister Michael Mahendere has managed to carve himself a spot among the top gospel artists in the country thanks to his widely successful Getting Personal With God 2 album. The brothers are well known and they are hoping to capitalize on their good name in Gospel music circles for the success of this one. They gave us the iconic tracks Psalms 23, Hupenyu Hwepanyika and I doubt they will surpass that but you never now and such uncertainty gives the upcoming album a good platform.
6. ExQ - Unnamed
Loved ExQ's last album Putiti (Putiti Album Review). The album was released end of year in 2015 and was largely overshadowed by Winky D's Gafa Life Kickstape (well every album was overshadowed that festive season) so that delayed the reach & success of the album. Once the Disappear craze died down Putiti started taking root with tracks such as Mamoyo and Bhachura getting a lot of love and airplay. The release of the Bhachura Remix visuals breathed new life into the album and suddenly Zimbo's realized ExQ has a very good album. He hinted that he will be releasing a new album this year and I am waiting for that album. He released probably the first single Jerusarema featuring the HKD Boss Freeman and its sounding very good....if that's a sign of things to come, the album will be another success.
7. Jah Prayzah - Unnamed
Its near obvious that Jah will release an album this year. He is in that Tuku kind of mode, releasing an album every year and maybe he may release two or three like what Tuku did over his long career. I'm not that big a Jah Prayzah fan but I appreciate what he has done to for local music and Zimbabwe as a whole. The thing i'm anxious to see the most is which sound he will adopt on his next album??!! Is he gonna stick with his own traditional signature brand of sound or given the success of Watora Mari he is going to switch to pop (which in Africa its afro beat)??. He has an upcoming single with SA's iconic group Mafikizolo which the whole of Zim is waiting for, so I wonder how many continental collaborations his next album will have??!!. Jah has conquered Zim no doubt about that and he is now going for the African market. He already has the home support needed to conquer but how is he gonna do it??!! The next album may hold all the answers.
8. Janet Manyowa - Unnamed plus/or King Of Glory Deluxe Edition
Janet entered the gospel music scene in 2015 with the track Awesome God featuring Comfort Manyame and followed that with a favourite of mine Ndomira Pamuri, which went on to become a massive success and endeared many Zimbos to her music. In Aug 2015 she released her Debut Album King Of Glory (King Of Glory Album Review) and the album has won more awards in the past two years than any other gospel album, it has more chart toppers in the past two years compared to anyone else in the gospel genre and it is one of the only two albums that have managed to get a A+ rating on this blog. Now the album although still sounding great and powerful as the day it was released is now nearly 2 yrs old and a new offering must be in the books. She has hinted that a deluxe edition of King Of Glory will be released soon, don't know how many new songs will be added if any will be added!!?? Given the lasting power of King Of Glory she can go another year without an album, but if she is to become the new face of Gospel music she has to release a number of new tracks and keep Zimbos worshiping and blessed.
9. Prayersoul - Unnamed
He is undoubtedly the best when it comes to soul music in the country. Soul may not be that popular but Prayersoul remains superbly talented. Whether it's his own track or a chorus on someone, Prayersoul always delivers. Loved his debut self titled album Prayersoul and last year he announced that a new album is in the works and i'm waiting for it. He released the first single (I think) titled Completely and its a wonderful jam (Completely Track Review). After listening to the jam you can't help it but start looking forward to the whole project. Already counting down to the album.
10. Asaph - Unnamed
The Burg boy has won me over with his past projects and is now my favourite hip hop/rap artist in the country. His Kingsvilla 1 & 2 albums are very engaging and well made, this year he released Diamonds Deserve Diamonds EP over valentines and it's another solid project. I'm not sure is he is going to release Kingsvilla 3 this year or maybe another new series but I will be keeping tabs on the rapper.
So ya for now those are the albums that i'm waiting for in 2017. Obviously there will be other albums not mentioned here that will be released and blow my mind like what Asaph's Kingsvilla2, Sharky's Soko Matemai and Tarimari's Kumusha did to me, so will cast my net wider.
Despite the 10 albums mentioned above there are other artists I will be keeping an eye on, I feel they may give us something this year. Such artists are as follows:
i. Bryan Kadengu - There have been hints of a new project in the works and will definitely be waiting or that. His last album Nyaya Dzerudo is a masterpiece, the second of the only two albums to receive an A+ rating on this blog. The only reason why I did not include him on the list above is because I feel this year he may chose to release a couple of singles and ensure many Zimbos know about him before he drops an album. But hey I may be wrong, either way will be keeping an eye on him.
ii. Jnr Brown - Breezy promised us an album last year and that was not to be so I feel this year he should give us something, an EP or Mixtape if not an album. It's kind of a long shot but I remain hopeful. Jnr Brown needs to show he can deliver in a full project rather than just give a couple of dope bars on a few tracks each year. He has quite a horde of fans but he needs to deliver a project and not remain someone who can kill of other rappers if he wants.....he now needs to actually outclass the other rappers. That just how I feel and hopefully he releases a project this year, fingers crossed.
iii. Fungai Nengare - He is one of the few local artists that are full of soul, his music has this superb feel good vibe and it strikes the right chords. To understand why I'm hoping he gives us a project, take a listen to Maybe It's You featuring DJ Naida, the track will explain everything to you. Hopefully hopefully Fungai gives us a project this year. Would love to see a collaboration between him and Prayersoul or Kevin Munetsi, I believe it would be superb
iv. Victor Kunonga - This also another long shot but judging from his release cycle this year he may release a new album. Loved his last album Kwedu and it's one of the albums I play the most currently and another album will not be a very welcomed present. Victor is already a Jazz icon and you know he will deliver when he releases a project.
So ya those are the ones I will be keeping an eye on. Feel free to comment with the albums you are looking forward to the most in 2017.
Proud_Zimbo
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