ADAPT OR DIE!

• Sungura king forced to change tact
• Releases 1st single in 22 years
• Hopes lockdown will be lifted
• Covid-19 grounds showbiz to a halt

By Zion Divaris
Sungura king Alick Macheso yesterday told Nhau that he hopes the coronavirus-induced lockdown will soon be lifted so that he can launch a full album for his fans.

For ‘ritualists’ like Macheso, there is something magical that comes with people coming together at a designated place to witness him unveil his music.
But for now, he says the singles will have to do.

And when the time comes – he will put them on the album as bonus tracks.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has indeed changed not just the music scene but the entire showbiz industry. Even creatures of habit like Macheso are giving in and adapting to meet the new demands of the industry.

Macheso is releasing his first ever single since forming his Orchestra Mberikwazvo 22 years ago.
Wait. He is not only releasing the single, but also without a live concert full of his ever adoring and cult-like fans.
He is dropping a new single titled Zuro Ndizuro this Friday at 11am.
“We have been promising our fans a new album since last year but we were forced to continue postponing due to the Covid-19 pandemic because we can’t launch it,” Macheso told Nhau.

“Now we have no option, we had to accept the ‘new’ reality and release a single for our fans. It’s true and it’s a fact that we are not used to this but at times you are forced to adapt. That’s why we have decided to release this single.”

Macheso said it is unfortunate that the global pandemic has forced him to adopt a new way of doing things. He, however, still has reservations about the “new normal” and is confident that he will launch some of the songs that are part of the album with his fans.

“There are expenses that are incurred doing these productions and we can only recover that with a launch that will see fans attending.

“So I’m still hopeful that we will launch the album. We will be monitoring the situation, if it continues (lockdown) like this, we will have to release another single and the songs will appear on the album as bonus tracks. The hope and belief is that we will launch the album,” said Macheso.
Macheso, just like other musicians, has been doing online shows since the beginning of the lockdown in March.

For him, however, it would be difficult to accept that physical interaction with fans is over for good.
“There’s the magic that comes with meeting our fans physically. That is the reason we haven’t given up in as far as launching the album with our fans is concerned.
“But I would say we are accepting the reality, that’s why we are releasing the single,” he said.

Extrabasso, as the entertainer is fondly known, has dropped teasers to the song described as a Christmas gift.

“It’s unfair to keep on promising fans, we had to give them their Christmas present,” he said.

Though he could not be drawn into revealing when the other single will be released, Nhau Arts understands the Covid-19 restrictions will determine.
He is even prepared to release all the songs online if the pandemic persists.
The award-winning, multiple hitmaker and perennial chart-topper also spoke about how he will manage many instrumentalists in the studio.
On the new single, Noel Nyazanda played lead guitar while Tafi Nyamunda and Mike Maikoro were on main and sub-rhythm.

Givemore Chokumanyara was on drums while the man himself took charge of the bass guitar and vocals.
This means returnee Zaka Zaka, Devine Muzenda, Francis Poto and Paul Mpofu Jnr are yet to showcase their talent.
“It’s a star studded team but we will make sure that everyone gets a chance to record. The recording is still ongoing,” said Macheso. Nhau/Indaba