Mathew Masinge
MUSIC fans are deeply divided in the way they are reacting to Baba Harare’s decision to disband his musical group, cut off his trademark dreadlocks and call time on his period as a Jiti musician as he samples gospel music.
Many of his army of fans has been left in a haze of confusion while others have described his move as GOOD RIDDANCE.
Those, who seem happy with the developments, are saying this will save them from listening to his lyrics, which they considered to be highly suggestive and, at times, even dirty.
The musician has dumped his Jiti sound, which transformed him into one of the top trending musicians on the domestic musical scene and appears to have undergone a complete transformation.
He now spots a corporate look and appears a totally different man from the artist who used to entertain his fans with his wildly seductive dances and some X-rated lyrics.
He said his sudden change came when he reflected on his life during a tour of Australia.
Sources exclusively told H-Metro this week that the dramatic changes in Baba Harare’s life were ordered by his new wife.
“The truth is that Baba Harare was influenced by his lover to dump his genre so that he settles with her.
“They married secretly and wedded recently where they strictly invited a few friends and close family members.
“Everything was kept under wraps and a well-known Harare marriage officer officiated the event.
“He decided to dump everything and has his locks cut short.
“He also disbanded his band and told his members to start their projects.
“There is no turning back for him, he says, he received Jesus as his personal saviour and is now leading a new life with his partner, who is also of a Christian background.”
The stunning transformation has left his fans in a dilemma.
Thousands of his fans, especially women, fell in love with his seductive dances which usually ended with his ripping his shirt off on stage and showing his muscles.
In a recent interview with our sister radio station Star FM, in which he spoke to Gospel Greats presenter, Yvonne Tivatye, Baba Harare said he was happy with his decision to turn a new leaf.
“This is the best decision I have made so far since I was born. I will not apologise to anyone, secondly, I think Mwari vakatipa free will yekuti kana une zvauri kuda kuziva unokwanisa kutsvaga kuti uzviwane.
“At some point ndanga ndakutsvaga kuti panyika pano timbori vanani.
“I liked listening to sermons of many people, I interacted with many people including prophets, pastors.
“At first hapana munhu akauya kwandiri achiti ita so, the reason vanhu vanotryer kudiscrediter Mwari, kuti Mwari akachinja munhu akadai here.
“Ndiko kuverenga Bible nekuterera masermons evamwe vanhu.
“Kudhara ndakamboti namate namate and back slided, this time I wanted to see on my own kuti Mwari vari kutii.
“Handina kutendeuka nekuti ndatambura, ndakatendeuka ndichipisa, and ndo best album rangu, ‘Prove them Wrong.’
“I repented when I was in Australia, after I decided kuita zvandakuda.”
However, music fans have been left divided and here are some of their comments:
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He will not last in gospel music. He is just not good at it. Achadzokera hake kwake chaiko, vachiri kubatana kuneso nemukadzi — Stride Chibi
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Baba Harare vanofana kukwekweredzwa kudzoka kuJiti. — Negomo
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The last man who did (this stuff) chekugereswa rasta nemukadzi was Samson. We all know how it ended — Brian Matonsi
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Wasiya zvese anobva akusiya — Manicaland King
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Saka mu Christian aidanana nemunhu wenyika kut zviite sei. Ada kut tiimbirwe nani jiti — Defiant Pathfinder
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He knows best and who are we to judge him? — Valarie Ndlovu
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Thank you for listening to the voice of God and not men. God will surely take you far. Richness in God is far much better than richness of the world. All the best Baba Harare — Athan Sibbs
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Thank You Lord for saving us from those lyrics and videos ainyadzisira ega ega , I am shocked that stuff was allowed on family radio and TV stations — Jim Runda
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Which Jesus did you receive? Vanonzi maslay Queens anokuitisa obvaakusiya akudumper wamuridge usisina chinhu — Norman Muganhu