OLIVER MTUKUDZI


Oliver Mtukudzi, known as Tuku, is one of the most prolific musicians in the world. He has produced over 40 albums infused with his unique sound, known as Tuku music and since 1980, he has produced two albums a year. His music encompasses elements of traditional Zimbabwean and South African rhythms and drums and his lyrics are inspired by the daily experiences of ordinary people. Oliver Mtukudzi is a singer, song-writer, guitarist, arranger and musical director.

Based in Zimbabwe, he performs all over Africa and abroad with his group The Black Spirits who have been together since the late 1970's. Their first album was an instant success and the album Africa, released in 1980, became a symbol of unity and freedom for the newly independent Zimbabweans. The Black Spirits have performed throughout Europe and Africa, in North America and Canada. The group has shared the stage with famous artists Baba Maal, Taj Mahal, Lucky Dube, Caiphus Semenya, Brenda Fassie, Thomas Mapfumo and others. They have performed at music festivals worldwide including in the USA, Abidjan, Stockholm, Europe and North America.

Most of Oliver's albums have been best sellers released all over the world under various labels. Apart from his music career, he was the lead in a feature film, JIT released in Europe, coupled with The Black Spirits performance at Denmark's Images of Africa Festival. He wrote and arranged the music score and starred in Neria, which won the M-Net Best Soundtrack Award in 1992. He also wrote and directed the successful musical Was my Child.