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As he breaks with tradition, adapts, make history and try to forge a way forward in an industry that is a lot different than the one he broke into, almost effortlessly, back in 1998, Nhau reminds music fans just who the sungura king is and the journey he has travelled.
Born Alick Chisale in June 1968 to Parents Hudson and Emilia Chisale nee Macheso, Alick went to Enterprise Primary and Mashayamombe Secondary schools in Shamva .
He started music at just 15 in 1983 when he joined the Shepherd Chinyani-led Vhuka Boys.
He had earlier been taught how to play the lead and bass guitars by Rogers Chimusoro and Chinyani respectively.
Macheso, whilst touring with the band, later met Nicholas Zakaria. Since the Vhuka Boys had no equipment, Macheso was forced to abandon it and later joined Zakaria, who lived in the slums of Epworth at the time.
As they beefed up their new group, they renamed it to Khiama Boys and recorded their debut effort, Mabhauwa, which was followed by a string of successful albums, making their outfit a household name.
Some of their albums include Kuva Nemari, Chikumbiro, Zvirimudzimba and Mabvi Nemagokora. Macheso and Nicholas ended their relationship after the release of Chiraramo in 1997.
Macheso then decided to form the Orchestra Mberikwazvo with Zakaria Zakaria, Nicholas’ younger brother.
Life became difficult for Macheso. The musician lived a miserable life and would now beg friends to take care of his welfare.
He could not attract any funders to assist in recording his music. He is on recording saying he would sometimes walk from Chitungwiza to Msasa, first to negotiate a recording contract with Gramma Records and then later for actual recordings.
Eventually, Gramma Records allowed him to record Magariro, which went platinum. With hits Pakutema Munda and Baba naMai, the die was cast, Macheso has never looked back.
He later went on to release Vakiridzo followed by Simbaradzo in 2000.
Zvakanaka Zvakadaro came in 2001, Zvido Zvenyu Kunyanya in 2003 and was followed by Vapupuri Pupurai some two years later.
He released Ndezvashe-h in 2007. In 2010 he released Zvinoda Kutendwa, which was followed by Kwatakabva Mitunhu (Kurekwekure) in 2012.
He followed that up, four years later, with Tsoka Dzerwendo before unleashing Dzinosvitsa Kure in 2018.
Collaborations
While releasing albums, Macheso also found time to collaborate with other artists in the studio.
He started his collaboration journey with the late Beater Mangethe in 2007, releasing popular duets Tirikufara and Dali .
Macheso was also roped in by politician-cum-musician Energy Mutodi on the song Angelina.
Tryson Chimbetu has also been a beneficiary of Macheso’s benevolence, being helped to record and push Sadza Nema Vegetables.
Baba Sharo, as he is affectionately known has also worked with gospel musician Bishop Ollah Juru on song Emanuwere and gospel singer Sabastian Magacha on the song Maria na Marita.
One of his greatest ever collaborations was the recent song, Ngaibake, which he did with Zim dancehall star Freeman.
The song’s crossover appeal gave Macheso an extra edge and seemed to rejuvenate his creative juices.
In 2019, Macheso played a huge role on Simon Mutambi’s album Hazvipere Mushe while also investing a lot of time in grooming Tedius Matsito’s son, Junior, and Faheem Somanje, the late Daiton Somanje’s eldest son.
Macheso Brand
While Macheso is generally an introvert, his brand has refused to stay enclosed in a shell.
There has been a stampede by small and big organisations to associate their brands with the sungura king. Consequently, Macheso has risen to become an advertising face for many corporations that include the country’s leading bakery Bakers Inn, paint company Nash Paints and humanitarian organisation Red Cross. Nhau/Indaba, Online Sources, Alick Macheso Facebook Page
