Solomon Skuza

Solomon 'Jah Solo' Skuza
Birth name Solomon Skuza
Also known as Solomon Skuza
Born (1956-12-14)December 14, 1956
Plumtree, Zimbabwe
Genres Pop
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Dancer
Instruments Vocals
Guitar
Multi-instruments
Years active 1980–1995
Labels ZMC

Solomon Skuza (1956–1995), also known as Jah Solo was a Zimbabwean musician, one of the most popular to come out of Plumtree. In addition to his native Kalanga, he wrote lyrics in Ndebele, Shona and English as well. Other popular Kalanga musicians include Nduna Malaba(Ndux Malax), Ndolwane Super Sounds, Mokis Connection and Solomons brother Chase Skuza.

Biography

Born in 1956 in Plumtree, Solomon Skuza went into exile in Zambia during the Rhodesian Bush War to join the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA). Skuza played in the ZIPRA band and entertained guerrillas at ZIPRA camps. He later became the band leader and an official composer for the ZIPRA Entertainment Corps.

In 1980, Skuza returned to Zimbabwe and produced a hit single, Banolila, which sold over 75,000 copies. His 1990 album, Love and Scandals, was a commercial and critical success, due to its political content regarding the Willowgate Scandal of the time. In one song, he asks, "how can someone buy a car and sell it again?"[1] In another, he sings of his love leaving him for "a guy who owns a Cressida", referring to the Toyota Cressidas assembled at Willowvale.[2]

Solomon Skuza was backed by bands such as Fallen Heroes. He released Zihlangene Vol. 1 and Zihlangene Vol. 2 compilation albums which cover his earlier and later hits, respectively. Solomon sang in his native Kalanga and both Ndebele, English and Shona.

In 1990 he did a soundtrack, Patimile, for the Zimbabwean film Jit.

Solomon died in 1995 in both poor health and poverty.

Discography

Albums

  • Kudzanayi
  • Love and Scandals
  • Zihlangene Vol. 1
  • Zihlangene Vol. 2
  • Zlhlangene Vol. 3

References

  1. ↑ "Mugabe meets Enos Nkala". The Zimbabwe Mail. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  2. ↑ Wonderful G. Bere (2007). Urban Grooves: The Performance of Politics in Zimbabwe's Hip Hop Music. ProQuest. p. 65. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
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