YOUNG MBIRA PLAYER DESTINED FOR STARS
SELF-TAUGHT gwenyambira, Ian Ndondo (21) of Chitungwiza, has captured the attention of many in the town and its environs.
Having released his debut album at the age of 19, Ndondo has already proved that he is a force to reckon with in the showbiz industry.
Drawing his inspiration from contemporary musician Jah Prayzah, Ndondo is determined to scale dizzy heights as he has vowed to stop at nothing in producing thought-provoking lyrical messages.
“I started singing when I was still doing Form 1 at Zengeza High 1 School as a lead vocalist.
“Since we had a school band, I capitalised on it to hone my skills in music and would do renditions of Jah Prayzah during school functions like prize-giving days and District Merit Awards.
“When I reached Ordinary Level, I decided to do music as a practical subject, taking it seriously soon after writing my examinations.
“I recorded my first single titled Nhamo in 2019 at Music City Studios in Zengeza,” he said.
This episode became the opening chapter in his blossoming musical career and he was lured into the trade with the intention to experiment with it and find his niche.
Ndondo started composing music at high school in 2018.
The messages on some of the tracks on his first album were inspired by his experiences.
“It was difficult for me to grow up without both parents as my mother and father separated when I was still very young.
“I never experienced parental love and had to relocate to Masvingo where I stayed with my maternal grandmother.
“I returned to Harare when I was 11 to stay with my mother for a short period. Then I moved to Unit L, Chitungwiza to live with my grandfather because of family issues.”
During infancy stages in his journey, Ndondo was encouraged by his school teacher to consider taking music as a career owing to his vocal prowess.
He felt challenged and started learning to play the mbira and before he even noticed, he had become a master.
During the 2020 lockdown, he moved to Dema. He would balance education and music at once by attending lessons online and then cycle to Zengeza to record his first 10-track album titled Ngoma Isina Muzera.
So far, he has done videos for Ngoma Isina Muzera and Kana Rudo Rwandituma.
His music fuses the traditional beat with Afro percussion and is all-encompassing, cutting across ages.
Currently, Ndondo is being managed by Simbarashe Tayengwa who helped him record his album.