Sulu remembers his roots
SEASONED dendera crooner Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu will on Saturday officially unveil his much-awaited 10th studio album in his hometown — Chegutu.
This will probably be the first time the singer will be introducing a new project outside Harare.
The 41-year-old musician said the decision was motivated by the need to pay respect to the people he grew up with in Mashonaland West Province.
“Chegutu is my homeland and my source of pride. This is a place where everything began. Thus, I have decided to honour the people whom I grew up with by having the first part of our 10th album unveiling in the area. I have been given unconditional love and support by the people,” said Sulu in an interview with The Sunday Mail Society.
The Orchestra Dendera Kings frontman, however, said he respected all his fans regardless of geographic location.
“We will take the album to different parts of the country and even beyond the borders. The project coincides with dendera founder Simon ‘Chopper’ Chimbetu commemorations and, as you know, he had a strong footprint in Chegutu,” he said.
According to Sulu, the forthcoming album is a dedication to his late father, who breathed his last on August 14, 2005.
“My father left a big treasure, not only for the family, but also the entire music industry and nation at large. It is important that we honour him whenever possible. I am dedicating the new album to him and it will be officially unveiled in a place where he has a rich history,” said Sulu.
The dendera singer’s debut album “Ndomusiya Nani” was released in 2007, after he took over the reins at Orchestra Dendera Kings following the death of the patriarch.
He has over the years produced several hit songs, among them “Sean Timba”, “Idah
Nhoro”, “Nyuchi”, “Phone” and “Young Man”.
He believes fans will love the brew they have created.
“I would have shared the album title and names of tracks but that would spoil the launch surprise. Besides, the issue of piracy is also a cause for concern, hence the reason we are keeping cards close to our chest.”
Meanwhile, Sulu said he intends to transform Chegutu into a vibrant entertainment hub that will be attracting high-profile acts from within and outside the country’s borders.
“It starts with such events (album launches). We need to have more and alternative entertainment venues throughout the country. It is my hope that we will be able to develop Chegutu to a point where artistes scramble to perform in the town.
“Kadoma’s Odyssey is testament that this is possible. International stars are now frequenting the place.”
Sulu presently runs a bar in Chegutu and plans to open an arts centre.
“We have several budding and established artistes from Chegutu and surrounding areas. If we put our heads together, I do not think the task will be difficult.
“Besides, I feel obliged to pay back to a community that has supported me for so many years.”
A scene from “The Blackening”