Meet Mokoomba the
hottest new brand of raw afro-fusion energy that is setting dance floors ablaze
throughout afrika and all the way to Europe.mokoomba are 6 guyz from Victoria falls with a serious ability to get you grooving
MOKOOMBA stems
from the deepest respect that the tonga
people have for the Zambezi river and for th
vibrant life that it brings to their musicand culture
The word Mokoomba is a concept. It signifies the Zambezi River as the vibrant source of life for the Tonga people and our culture as our provider of food, water and recreation.
When did your career in music start?
The band was formed in 2007 and in 2008 we were lucky to win the Music Crossroads Competition in Zimbabwe and went on to compete regionally with the best bands of other Southern African countries (Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique). We came first there also. The grand prize was a European tour, an opportunity to record our first six-track album Kweseka (Drifting Ahead).
From your songs which one is your favorite?
It’s a difficult question because as band, we love all the songs.
If you could collabo with anyone, who would it be and why?
We have done a highly successful collaboration with DJ Gregor Salto from the Netherlands and I think we are open to work with any band or artist that is keen on developing something new and interesting.
What projects are you currently working on?
We are planning a few local, regional and international performances before the year 2012 ends. We will announce as soon as all is in place.
Did you have a mentor for your career? If yes who? What did they benefit your career
We have had a lot of help in different aspects of our career so far and for that we would like to thank the late Alfred Mjimba, Mathias Bangure, Poney Gross, Manou Gallo and Marcus Gora.
What is you biggest inspiration to follow and keep following in music?
Our biggest inspiration is the audiences that we meet and perform for everywhere we go. It is such a rich experience to create music and an even better one to see people enjoy and be touched by it.
Do you perform in public describe those occasions?
We perform at concerts and festivals in Zimbabwe and internationally. We also hold music and cultural exchange workshops in schools when we travel to other countries.
So what part of zim did you all grow up in?
Victoria Falls and Binga
Do you get nervous during performances?
Like any young musician, we used to get nervous when we started out but now that we have a lot of experience playing in many different settings, we no longer get nervous
What advice would u give to new comers?
Be yourself and be unique, the world is hungry for something fresh and that is the only way you are going to be taken seriously as a new act.
How do feel you differ from rest of the music industry?
Mokoomba’s music is different from the rest of the music being produced in Zimbabwe because it has its roots in the Tonga and other cultures close to the Zambezi River and secondly the band has talented individuals, always experimenting in order to create new sounds.
How do you balance your music with other obligations?
We have very supportive families who help us a lot and give us the opportunity to focus on our music.
So far what has been the proudest moment of your career?
The proudest moment of our career is being only the third Zimbabwean band to be selected for the World Music Expo showcase, something that has only been done by Oliver Mtukudzi in 1998 and Chiwoniso Maraire in 1999.
Where do you think your largest fan?
Our biggest fan base is in Zimbabwe but also spreading rapidly in Europe and other parts of the world.
What is the furthest show you have done from home?
The furthest performance we have done was the Voice of Nomads in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia in Russia or the Afrika Festival in Tampere Finland.
What has been the worst nightmare for the group & how did you get through it
Our worst nightmare as a band was being invited to perform at a New Year’s Eve party at Pamuzinda Safari Lodge. Just when we started out set, the racist owner started yelling abusive words because he did not want to hear African music. It turned out to be a big misunderstanding because the theme of the party was “Out of Africa” literary. We just had to keep playing till the end but had learnt our lesson, never play there again.
If you could categorize your music, what genre would you it best fit?
Afro-fusion
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