Oliver Mtukudzi performance warms chilly Nairobi

Koroga Festival held its seventh edition of the cultural event Sunday. Despite the mud from the previous day’s rains that turned parking into a nightmare, the turnout was immense.

The gathering was as big as it was varied; from the very young toddlers to very senior citizens, from different races to different cultures, from families to single folks, all came looking for a piece of the experience.

The music selection and scheduled acts also reflected this dynamism. Just-A-Band, despite their name, are not your ordinary, every-other-day band (no offense to the bands out there trying to put themselves together, I acknowledge your effort). The versatility of the band to easily perform in Afro-Ethnic, Afro-pop, pop, rap, reggae and electronic genres is beyond words.

Theirs was a stirring performance that made the fans scream “One more! One more” on two occasions, when their set should have been over. And then it was time to cut the anniversary cake.

I always thought this part’s usually a ceremonial thing; the cake’s cut and then the organisers share the “spoils” amongst themselves backstage, with some leftover to carry home to the family.

Since I did get cake during this one time, I believe everyone in the crowd got some too.

Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Zimbabwe’s most renowned musician and cultural icon, is a musical giant. As soon as he climbed on stage, the crowd went bonkers and for a moment you could barely hear your own self.

His guitar solos are as mesmerising as is his sound, especially for those of us who may not understand some of his lyrics due to language barrier and usually mouth off whatever sounds similar to what he’s singing when we try to sing along.

“Hello Nairobi! It feels good to be back home,” said Mtukudzi at the beginning of his performance. For a soon-to-be 63 year-old, “Tuku” has the energy and dance moves of a man half his age.

But for all the composing and performing, one thing he takes seriously is his influence on society. All his songs have lessons to lend, and an introduction to help see the artiste’s perspective.

“I came to the conclusion no life is easy, you just have to work hard for yourself,” he said before performing one song, while in another he said, “That’s why as Africans you don’t get to sing a song, when you’ve got nothing to sing. So we talk about our pain, our frustrations… Oh yes, we talk about our joys.”

The experience of being in the presence of such a phenomenal icon can only be topped by being able to sit one on one with him.

His wisdom and charisma is overwhelming even when you’re in a crowd of thousands, screaming, dancing, and trying to get as many photos and videos of him.

The night came to a conclusion just before 8 pm and I was left in the most fulfilled state of spirit that I have been in a long time.