The Sunday News
Bruce Ndlovu, Sunday Life Correspondeny
AFTER a tumultuous 2016 that saw him almost lose his foot, dancehall chanter Soul Jah Luv has had a remarkably stellar year so far, with the release of his album, Ndinofirapo, this weekend set to put the crown on a glorious year.
Last year, Mwana wa Stembeni as the popular chanter is popularly known, seemed to be losing his battle with diabetes, an illness that has cast a dark cloud over most of his life.
Life as a musician in Zimbabwe means countless hours spent on the road, and somewhere in the stars it was written that in August 2016, the chanter would have an accident from which he would emerge with a foot injury.
Fears of an amputation arose after the foot rebelled against its owner, refusing to obey all medicine that the diabetic musician’s doctors prescribed. A few months later in the year, the man who has not been shy to make his love of intoxicating substances known, was to seek divine intervention as he felt that prayer would triumph were science was fighting a losing battle.
Just over a year since that accident and ten months after he turned to Prophet Walter Magaya for a much needed healing touch, Souljah Luv is a changed man. Although Jah Prayzah and Winky D are still the top dogs in the game, it is not an exaggeration to say that Jah Luv’s bark would have now reached their ears.
While Jah and Winky command loyal fan bases that have made sure that they emerge tops year after year, 2017 has seen Jah Luv start to cultivate a following that goes beyond the usual dancehall fan.
After the runaway success that was Pamamonya Ipapo, the chanter has become a cult hero of sorts, with many people joining the Jah Luv bandwagon with every song release. Since it was born in the bedroom studios of Mbare, Zimdancehall has been the genre of choice for the everyday youth in Zimbabwe.
More than any other genre, it articulates the life and times of a generation that is still trying to define itself while grappling with economic and social ills. This year, Jah Luv has emerged as perhaps the generation’s most adored spokesperson not only because of his music, but simple because of the way that he carries himself. The chanter rarely appears to take himself seriously, seemingly breezing through life as he takes the jabs that it throws in his direction with a smile.
It is this laid back approach to tackling the harsh realities of life that has perhaps endeared Zimbabweans to the chanter. When Pamamonya Ipapo was released, the song was greeted with memes on various social media platforms, as young Zimbabweans imagined themselves in places that were beyond their financial standing.
Like their chanting hero, many have been laughing through the pain as they confront the harsh realities of life. However, despite all the praise and love, all of Jah Love’s achievements would be for nought if his latest album fails to have the same impact as the singles.
Killer T has emerged as the greatest young challenger to both Jah Prayzah and Winky D because of his consistency and growing collection of hits. If Souljah Luv wants to prove that he belongs in the same conversation with those names, he has to deliver on his latest album which includes such songs as Marangwanda, Ndofirapo, Chigayo, Usandirasirire, Ndini Ndakaitasei, Zvawakadya and Aita Chake.
The songs that he has released so far have been a tease, hinting at the potential greatness that the wordsmith possesses. However, critics will be listening to this latest effort, eager to hear if he has what it takes to carry an album on his own.
Now more than ever, is the time for Jah Luv to prove that he belongs pamamonya.
