RHUMBA COMMUNITY LOSES ITS GODFATHER
THE rhumba community has been plunged into mourning following the death of Real Sounds of Africa founder Hichika Malosa.
Malosa, who was 75, was buried on Sunday at Warren Hills Cemetery.
In an interview with H-Metro, his son Malosa Kanama, better known in music circles as DJ Losa, said:
“My father was my pillar in my art and technical field.
“From a young age, he always used to encourage me even when I completed my paralegal and IT studies, he was my flame.
“His contribution to the Zimbabwe music culture, with the Real Sounds of Africa, who were from the DRC, was immense.
“The group toured all over Europe in the ‘80s and were pioneers in introducing rhumba in Zimbabwe.
“The Real Sounds of Africa was an 11-piece band based in Harare and consisting entirely of Congolese musicians who played a mixture of jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and rhumba.”
DJ Losa hailed his father for his resilience and hard work which made him a household name.
“The Real Sounds of Africa was formed in 1975.
“The band moved from Zambia to Zimbabwe in 1978, when they were invited to take up a residency in a hotel in Mutare.
“In Harare, the Real Sounds of Africa found an eager audience for their brand of soukous, which resulted in three hit albums, Harare, Seven Miles High and Wende Zako.” DJ Losa added:
“I learnt to be humble and to take time to create a craft of art with quality instead of quantity and loving those around you.
“Regarding my father’s death, it was caused by underlying health issues from a mild stroke which caused shortness of breath and heart failure and he had high blood pressure also.”
DJ Losa said he will do his best to protect his father’s legacy.
“I have been supportive of his legacy and contribution to Zimbabwe music, I will keep pushing this legacy in memory of him and make sure their music will be remembered forever.
“He made a big impact and inspired bands like Lumbubashi Stars and Diamond Musica.
“He rubbed shoulders and had collaborations with many of them, including playing for the Sisonke Band and at one time Kanda Bongoman requested him to perform with him when he toured Zimbabwe.”
Malosa is survived by his widow, Mercy Muboko, and three children — two boys and one girl and five grand kids.