Fare thee well ‘Mwana waStembeni’

AT 31, award-winning dancehall singer Soul Jah Love, born Soul Musaka, may have touched many lives through his deep lyrics. In life, he may have been misunderstood, but was undoubtedly gifted. In death, he has moved mountains if the outpour of condolences is anything to go by.

From political leaders, creatives, fans, promoters and producers, among others, who took to different social media platforms to express their condolences, Soul Jah Love, also known as Sauro, Chibaba, Chigunduru and Mwana waStembeni, among others, has proved that he was, indeed, the King of Zimdancehall.

Soul Jah Love rose to prominence in 2012 with hit tracks such as Ndini Uya Uya and Gum-Kum.

Within a few months of hogging the limelight, Soul Jah Love bagged two gongs at the 2013 Zimdancehall awards ceremony for the Best Collaboration and Best Upcoming Artist.

Because of his flexibility, the dreadlocked artist, who started singing while in high school, continued to rise and managed to work with a number of artistes among them Winky D, Shinsoman, dendera maestro Sulumani Chimbetu and South African-based urban groover Nox Guni. Soul Jah Love became one of the few dancehall chanters to play alongside a live band, The Conquering Family.

Part of his discography includes Naka Dhula Dhaka released in 2018 and Zviri Pandiri Zvihombe (2019) and several singles that became national anthems.

Through his lyrical prowess, Soul Jah Love was often compared to top Jamaican singer Vybz Kartel.

He was known for his signature Chibabababa, Hauite Hauite, Conquering and Mafundan'a.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ)

Nacz director Nicholas Moyo said the death of Soul Jah Love had left a big void in the Zimbabwean music industry.

“The NACZ would like to convey its sincerest condolences to the Musaka family following the death of Soul Musaka aka Soul Jah Love. May the family find solace in the comfort of the Lord,” he said.

“Soul Jah Love’s death has robbed the nation of one of its talented young musicians who pioneered the production and promotion of Zimdancehall music from the high-density suburb of Mbare to national prominence.”

Moyo said Soul Jah Love’s lyrics took the nation by storm. “Soul Jah Love emerged from a crop of youngsters who were hungry for success in the music industry with their mix of Jamaican-influenced reggae beats with Zimbabwean style lyrics which resonated with the experiences of youths across the country,” he said.

“He will be sorely missed by his legions of fans and the entire music fraternity in Zimbabwe.”

Nelson Chamisa

Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa concurred, saying the nation had lost a giant in the music industry.

“Young talent gone too soon, one of a kind. The music industry is poorer without this rare gift. My condolences to all Soul Jah Love fans, his family and friends. May God grant us comfort and fortitude during these trying times,” he posted on Twitter.

Winky D

Fellow Zimdancehall icon Winky D said: “Dear Sauro, since it is now in excruciating pain our fate we should all acknowledge and embrace since it is written and ought to be, my grieving heart still rises in pain, pride and gratitude at your contributions to the musical narrative.

“Not recognising you in the Zimdancehall story shall remain a travesty. You travelled all musical thorny paths, even more you conquered in your distinct way. No musical heart ever conceived it, dared to try your lyrical path. We won’t take back the hope you have to the youths and we shall forever cherish the memories. Rest in strong dancehall riddims my bredren.”

BodySlam

Arts promoter and BodySlam Entertainment proprietor Simba Chikari, known for promoting studio production of Zimdancehall music, said in Soul Jah Love, the music fraternity had lost a game-changer.

“I have known Soul Jah Love since 2013 and together we walked a long journey. He was a gamechanger in the music industry. We have lost a hero. The music industry will never be the same without him,” he said.

Jah Prayzah

Contemporary musician Jah Prayzah said while Soul Jah Love might have lived too short, his music would last a lifetime.

“You always had a way to make everyone laugh, even when we least expected a joke from anyone, you would pull up. This was just how talented you were. Your name will be mentioned well up there among the greats as one of the most talented artists Zimbabwe ever had,” he said.

“I remember you asked me if we could do a song, three different times and on all occasions my answer was the same: ‘Who in his right mind would not want to do a song with Soul Jah Love?’ You stood me up at the studio on all three occasions and somehow I don’t know how I still find that funny. The last time we met you said ‘this time ndakuuya zvemashuwa (I am coming for real)’. There will be no replacement for you.”

Godfather Templeman

Prominent music promoter, radio personality and wheel-spinner, Simbarashe “Godfather Templeman” Maphosa said in Soul Jah Love, the nation had lost one of the most talented creative artistes, but his legacy would live on.

“For me, I am pained, but what is so important is that Soul Jah Love inspired so many people within a short time in his musical career against all odds and the backlash even with the media he never gave up,” he said.

“Everytime I talked to him, he would say Godfather, my music is a true reflection of my life. This is the music that is making me survive, so I cannot change who I am because that is what I am. He was always fighting for his name. If you look at the song Kana Ndafa he released in 2019, he tried to explain that people always say bad things about me and I hope when I die they will remember the good I have done, not only the negatives.”

Trace Urban Southern Africa, a music TV network in Africa, Europe and Asia

“Popular Zimbabwean dancehall musician Soul Jah Love has passed. Our condolences to his family and friends.”

Supa Mandiwanzira

Former Information Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira, who is an avid follower of dancehall music, described Soul Jah Love’s death as a robbery.

“Your death is a massive heist to the music industry. Big robbery. Go well entertainer. Rest in peace Zimdancehall music’s five-star general. Conquering music superstar…super talented artiste,” he said.