Jah Prayzah

Jah Prayzah
Born (1987-07-04) 4 July 1987
Uzumba, Zimbabwe
Nationality  Zimbabwe
Other names Musoja
Occupation Musician, philanthropist, author and brand ambassador, artist management
Spouse(s) Rufaro Chiworeso
Children Mukudzei, Kayla and Kelly
Musical career
Instruments vocals, mbira
Associated acts Ex Q, Andy Muridzo, Nutty O, Dj Tamuka, Tahle Wedzinza
Website www.jahprayzah.com

Mukudzeyishe Mukombe, who performs under the name Jah Prayzah (born July 4, 1987 in Uzumba, Zimbabwe), is a Zimbabwean contemporary musician and lead member of the band Third Generation. He is popularly referred to by fans and media as "Musoja", the Shona word for "soldier", a name he earned mostly because of his signature band uniform of military regalia. The name "Jah Prayzah" comes from his name, "Mukudzei", which means "Praise Him".

Early life and education

He was the last born in a family of five. As a young boy he liked writing, reading his father's Shona novels, swimming in the river with friends, and hunting in the forests. Time and again he would come back home with his shorts torn from all the climbing and adventure. Most importantly, he liked to sing. He nurtured this habit through singing at school assemblies and at church, as well as playing the mbira with his teacher. As he grew older and as his mbira skills improved, Mukudzei Mukombe felt confident and inspired to pursue his interests in music. People began to realize his natural gift in music and language, and encouraged him to be serious with it.

He attended Musamhi Primary School and later Musamhi High School in Murehwa in Mashonaland East Province. He then relocated to Harare where he stayed with his uncle and eventually completed his 'O' and 'A' Levels in Harare.

Start of music career

Mukudzeyi's first experience with composing music was during his early years of high school.[1] He started to record dancehall and reggae tracks with his friends with some tracks creating a vibe in the suburb, but failing to hit the national music scene. He later recorded contemporary music and afro jazztracks with DJ Thando and other local producers, releasing singles such as "Sorry Mama" and "Seiko".

In 2007 he released his first commercially launched album, Sungano. He went on to release two more albums, Rudo neRunyararo and Ngwarira Kuparara. The latter was commercially successful and contained the singles "Maria" and "Dande", the latter of which featured Chiwoniso Maraire. Ngwarira Kuparara was commercially successful, and he was offered a contract for the Wednesday slots at a local Harare pub called Jazz 105.

In 2013 he released his fourth album Tsviriyo and won a NAMA award for song of the Year for the song "Gotchi Gotchi". In 2014 he released Kumbumura Mhute.[2] In the same year he won five NAMA awards and two ZIMA awards.[3]

In 2015 he opened a new studio and released his sixth studio album, Jerusarema.[4]

His most notable work was a collaboration with award-winning Tanzanian artist Diamond Platinumz on his hit song "Watora Mari", which reached over a million views on YouTube in less than a month after its release. "Watora Mari" has enjoyed massive airplay on MTV Base and Trace Africa. However, the other song, "Mudhara Vachauya" is the one being enjoyed in Zimbabwe.

Discography

  • Kutonga Kwaro (2017)
  • Mdhara Vachauya (2016)
  • Jerusarema (2015)
  • Kumbumura Mhute (2014)
  • Tsviriyo (2013)
  • Ngwarira Kuparara (2012)
  • Sungano Yerudo (2010)
  • Rudo Nerunyararo (2007)

Awards

  • MTV African Music Award 2016 - Listener's Choice Award
  • NAMA 2013 Award for Song of the Year, "Gochi Gochi"
  • 2013 Zimbabwe Peace ambassador award
  • NAMA 2014 Awards - Outstanding Album, Tsviriyo[3]
  • NAMA 2014 Awards - Outstanding Song, "Tsviriyo"[3]
  • NAMA 2014 Awards - Outstanding Male Artist, Jah Prayzah[3]
  • NAMA 2014 Awards - Outstanding Video, "Mwanasikana"[3]
  • NAMA 2014 Awards - People's Choice, Jah Prayzah[3]
  • Zim Dream Online award- 2014 [5]
  • NAMA 2016 Awards - Album of the Year
  • NAMA 2016 Awards - Outstanding Male Artist[6]
  • ZIMA 2016 Awards - Artist of the Year
  • ZIMA 2016 Awards - Traditional Song of the Year "Jerusarema"
  • ZIMA 2016 Awards - Album of the Year, Jerusarema
  • ZIMA 2016 Awards - Collaboration of the Year, "Kure Kure" ft. Ammara Brown
  • Zimbabwe Achievers Awards - Best International Music Artist and he also performed with Nygyly Munyuki

Personal life

Jah Prayzah is married to Rufaro Chiworeso, whom he sang about in his song Rufaro. They have a son and two daughters. In 2012 Jah Prayzah revealed that his secret of success comes from his mother after she blessed him after throwing her a US$7,000 birthday party in 2012.[4] In 2014 he revealed to the public that he and the six other members of his Third Generation Band, plus a close friend, had decided to get their penises circumcised (entailing removal of the foreskin) in order to protect themselves from HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases.[7]

Tours

Jah Prayzah has had many international shows in Australia,[8] the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and China.

References

  1. ↑ "About Us". jahprayzah.com.
  2. ↑ Music, Video. "Kumbumura Mhute". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jah Prayzah in Nama clean sweep". herald.co.zw.
  4. 1 2 "Jah Prayzah reveals secret to success". DailyNews Live.
  5. ↑ "Zimbabwean Musician Scoops Four Awards". allAfrica.com.
  6. ↑ "Winky D, Jah Prayzah dominate Nama". nehandaradio.com.
  7. ↑ Wendy Muperi (18 February 2014). "Jah Prayzah gets circumcised". The Daily News, Zimbabwe. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  8. ↑ tour
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