The Sunday News
DECIBEL has sparked controversy!
After a six-year sabbatical from the music circles, which he broke in 2012, albeit on a rather low note, with two relatively unsuccessful singles (Mukuru Ndiani and Ndawira Murudo), the United Kingdom-based urban grooves singer, Decibel, has dropped a bombshell.
Yes! A bombshell, one that might stir a little controversy for the artiste, who is now also doubling up as a music engineer.
The Shurugwi-born musician, whose real name is Daniel Mazhandu, has marked his return to the music jungle, and like a lion he fearlessly castigates political big shots in the country with his latest single titled Ndofara Sei.
Not only is the track likely to invite contention for him, but it has also seen Decibel ride on a different platform, shifting his gaze from the usual romantic love songs, turning into a protest musician and a political surveyor.
Many would probably be familiar with Decibel as that musician who became famous for his smash hit, Chido, that dreamy musician who always explored ideal love scenarios in most of his songs.
His latest offing comes as a huge blow for those of a romantic disposition because it is poles apart from the love theme, as in it, he explores politics and corruption among political fat cats, which he says, like a cancer, has eroded and retard Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development.
Not only has he shifted from the lovey-dovey theme, but the dreadlocked musician has also switched genres to conscious reggae, a genre that is famed for political satire and championing the cause of the masses.
Ndofara Sei’s thought-provoking lyrics, rebuke and criticise political bigwigs in the country, whom he believes are devouring the countries’ riches at the expense of ordinary citizens.
The lyrics of the song have a touch of a strong political satire which might see the artiste invite the ire, especially, of the conservative lot.
In one of the song’s verses, Decibel sings, “The way things are going right now, it pains me . . . Hakuna chakanaka, hakuna rugare, zvinhu zvandaona ndakona kusunungukawo, (There is doom and gloom out there, the things I have seen are haunting my spirit).”
He expresses the greed he observes among politicians when he further states that “veruzhinji vanoshaya vashoma vachipfachura”.
He goes on to wish if he could reverse the situation and redistribute the wealth equally among the poor, whom he feels are treated unfairly, when he chants “dai ndaigona ndaitora kune vanazvo ndopa vasina. Vanazvo vanazvo vagara vananzvo, havape vasina havade, vasina havana vagara vashaya mukana wekuti vatsvage” (If I could I would take from those who have and give to the poor. Those who have have always had and don’t want to share with the poor. Those who don’t have have always been poor and don’t have opportunities to better their lives).
Decibel bemoans the future of the youth, “Vana vemangwana vapedzerwa nhaka nemhaka yenhafu dzevamwe”. (The future generation is now left with nothing to inherit because of greed).”
He goes on to tout himself as the people’s advocate, vowing to defeat the “sword” with his word, “Zvasarireni mutauri wedi ndikunde munondo neshoko. Ndofara sei nyangwe ndiwane vamwe vangu havana” (It’s now left to me, the truth sayer, to defeat the sword with my words. How can I be happy when my fellows are poor).”
Sunday Leisure quizzed Decibel, why he had come up with such heart-throbbing lyrics and defending himself, he said when Zimbabwe began using the United States dollar, he had imagined a better life for the people but to his dismay, the situation had become worse because of greedy politicians.
“I came up with the idea of the song and its sole purpose is to stir hearts and minds. It’s the fact that I am living here and how life is easy this side but when I speak to people back home I hear how hard it is. Then I think surely, with the US dollar things should be better. It is the few people in high positions in Zimbabwe that enjoy,” he said.
Decibel further expressed his disappointment when he highlighted that political bigwigs in the country were making the future bleak for the youth.
He did not mention any particular political party when he spoke but blasted both the ruling and the opposition parties for failing the people by bickering over trivialities.
“There are those eating alone and if they are left eating alone, what hope is there for the next generation. Ruling party or opposition, when one is in power all is well for him and quickly forgets that he was the same individual complaining about swindling of funds meant for the citizens. Like my Zambian friend says: ‘These people have table manners, once they start eating they stop talking’,” he said.
One of Bulawayo’s arts guru, Raisedon Baya, supported Decibel, stating that as an artiste, he was entitled to freely express his thoughts on behalf of those out there who might share similar sentiments.
“There is nothing wrong with that, arts is supposed to be a mirror of society. As an artiste, he is entitled to his opinion and that is where he is exercising his right. If it is criticism with a purpose then it is fine, if he is motivated by making the country better then it is fine. We cannot blame him,” he said.
Baya referred to the olden days where poets were allowed to criticise their kings, saying he did not see any difference with what Decibel had done.
Music analyst, Professor Fred Zindi, echoed Baya’s sentiments, but was quick to state how far freedom of expression could go.
“I have not listened to the song but what I can say is that it is in the Constitution that everyone has freedom of expression and for artistes, it is called artistic expression. They can say what they want because of freedom, but freedom should not go as far as being personal. Some politicians do not like that,” he said.
