Listening to Oliver Mtukudzi on Radio Paradise

"Oh no! Another Oliver Mtukudzi song" said no one, with any ear at all, ever! Damn we lost him way too soon. Always brings a smile to my face and stress on my maxed out speakers.

Posted 1 day ago by Northern_Lights [ Reply ]

rabaak wrote:

I was curious about what the song was about. I saw a little discussion of the lyrics below, but I wasn't sure what all the symbolism was about.

I found this on the web. I haven't fact checked it.

I must admit I woefully under educated on current events and politics in Africa. But I thought I would put this out there in the event that anyone else was interested in what the song is supposedly about.

If all this is true, this research gives me an appreciation of the ability afforded me to protest/criticize my government and its policies. How truly lucky I am to live in such a country when the some people in the world have to disguise their commentary through imagery in song lyrics so they do not become political prisoners.

This is supposedly a carefully craft commentary of the current ruler of Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe.

Oliver is trying to not end up in Jail like his fellow country man, Thomas Mapfumo, who has faced imprisonment and censorship for his political activism.
Recently he has used his music to criticize the violent regime of President Robert Mugabe. His "Ndakuvara" uses the imagery of a man injured by a young ox, one who refuses to follow the examples of his elders. The indirectness of Mtukudzi's approach allows his music to go beyond a simple critique of Mugabe. While everyone recognizes Mugabe and his regime in the figure of the ox, the song also conveys a more general and important message about the harm power can bring when it trespasses past accepted and expected boundaries. Because Tuku does not name Mugabe, this message also arrives at the ears of his supporters who may be deaf to a more open attack. Tuku's art opens spaces for engagement which otherwise political art may not.

Ndakuvara Lyrics (English Translation)

Call the mother of my children; I am hurt

I was injured while training the ox
Call the mother of my children; I am hurt
I was injured while training the ox
I thought this young ox would be like
its elders
And yet it ignored its elders'
(good examples)
I used to admire it as it fed in the pastures
Thinking that in future we would harness it
Hoping that it will do the ploughing for us
Everything has gone upside down
The young oxen has kicked me
Everything has gone upside down
The young oxen has over-powered me

THANK YOU for the info!

Posted 5 months ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

linurbug wrote:

What a gift Oliver was to all of us.

YES! ...May he Rest In Peace.

Posted 8 months ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

What a gift Oliver was to all of us.

Posted 1 year ago by linurbug [ Reply ]

siqbal wrote:

Saw Tuku live in 2008 in Dubai with a bunch of Zim guest workers. It was a party!

You lucky duck. I wish that I had been there too!

Posted 1 year ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

I can sing that chorus

Its vey catchy

Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind [ Reply ]

Saw Tuku live in 2008 in Dubai with a bunch of Zim guest workers. It was a party!

Posted 2 years ago by siqbal [ Reply ]

No clue what he is saying, but words/ lyrics are just a tiny part of any music.

Posted 2 years ago by renegade_X [ Reply ]

Masogonzalo wrote:

Such meaningful lyrics ! 🤣🤣🤣

Posted 2 years ago by renegade_X [ Reply ]

Such meaningful lyrics ! 🤣🤣🤣

Posted 2 years ago by Masogonzalo [ Reply ]

yes this is excellent

Posted 2 years ago by tm [ Reply ]

this rocks...dont it?

Donuts?

Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind [ Reply ]

I really hope that backing vocal chorus outro isn't "beep beep".

Posted 2 years ago by timmus [ Reply ]

EXCELLENT!! RP introduced me to him, & now I like a LOT of his music. Thanx RP!

Posted 2 years ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

How about a translation of the lyrics.

Posted 2 years ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

injured

Posted 3 years ago by inconyblue [ Reply ]

meanderer wrote:

Well, don't know for sure, but the Mbira (an instrument played by the late Chartwell Dutiro to great effect) is pronounced with a short 'um' at the start. Don't emphasize the 'u'. Like the 'mmmm' sound made when the cooking smells good - but really short...

The rest is kind of phonetic... First 'u' would be an 'oo' sound and the second like the 'ou' in should.

I sang and drummed with Chartwell and he had played alongside this guy

Not so much an answer from learned knowledge, but from informed ignorance and a jot of assumption... Hope it helps...

Thank You!

Posted 3 years ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

eileenomurphy wrote:

OK! How do you pronounce his last name? ...thank you in advance,

Well, don't know for sure, but the Mbira (an instrument played by the late Chartwell Dutiro to great effect) is pronounced with a short 'um' at the start. Don't emphasize the 'u'. Like the 'mmmm' sound made when the cooking smells good - but really short...

The rest is kind of phonetic... First 'u' would be an 'oo' sound and the second like the 'ou' in should.

I sang and drummed with Chartwell and he had played alongside this guy

Not so much an answer from learned knowledge, but from informed ignorance and a jot of assumption... Hope it helps...

Posted 3 years ago by meanderer [ Reply ]

ce wrote:
The song title seems to be incorrect on RP, it should be "Ndakuvara" with a 'k'.

eileenomurphy wrote:

OK! How do you pronounce his last name? ...thank you in advance,

Well, you've got me there ;-)

Posted 3 years ago by ce [ Reply ]

Good Tune!

Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy [ Reply ]

ce wrote:

The song title seems to be incorrect on RP, it should be "Ndakuvara" with a 'k'.

OK! How do you pronounce his last name? ...thank you in advance,

Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy [ Reply ]

justin4kick wrote:

Bill, where on earth do you find these gems?

May you be digging them for a long, long time.

You bring joy to my life.

I bought this cd in Jamaica while on vacation in Montego Bay in '02. The bartenders at Sandals turned us on to him.

Posted 4 years ago by countyman [ Reply ]

The song title seems to be incorrect on RP, it should be "Ndakuvara" with a 'k'.

Posted 4 years ago by ce [ Reply ]

What a great song! I especially like the way the bass growls in the deep and interlaces with the music. It's almost like a second drum kit.

Posted 5 years ago by mzuther [ Reply ]

Bill, where on earth do you find these gems?

May you be digging them for a long, long time.

You bring joy to my life.

Posted 5 years ago by justin4kick [ Reply ]

easmann wrote:

God help us.

I am aware of no god that will help you. Rather, if you seek help, find it at the end of your arms, and also between your ears.

Posted 5 years ago by a_geek [ Reply ]

great musicianship and joy in this. great find RP.

Posted 5 years ago by Hogtownmike [ Reply ]

can't not want to move your body...

Posted 5 years ago by jahgirl8 [ Reply ]

I really dig the backing vocals on this.

Pidi pidi!

Posted 6 years ago by ziggytrix [ Reply ]

Bought this cd while vacationing in Montego Bay in 2002. Always reminds me of a great time when I give it a listen.

Posted 6 years ago by countyman [ Reply ]

bird_of wrote:

Here I was , thinking I was listening to a full automated system. till I heard Bill saying "this great musician died today". I checked on the web. and its today. aw, ok. voice sampling. RP must be a bot by now ;-p Hope its an AI tomorrow ;-0))

This morning NPR had a short piece on him passing.

Posted 6 years ago by Solanus [ Reply ]

Sigh.

Posted 6 years ago by Grammarcop [ Reply ]

Here I was , thinking I was listening to a full automated system. till I heard Bill saying "this great musician died today". I checked on the web. and its today. aw, ok. voice sampling. RP must be a bot by now ;-p Hope its an AI tomorrow ;-0))

Posted 6 years ago by bird_of [ Reply ]

I saw him a few years ago in Marin County, which is just north of San Francisco. It was a great show! I'm not sure if he's still touring, but I definitely recommend seeing him if you have a chance.

Posted 6 years ago by poetdancer [ Reply ]

I was curious about what the song was about. I saw a little discussion of the lyrics below, but I wasn't sure what all the symbolism was about.

I found this on the web. I haven't fact checked it.

I must admit I woefully under educated on current events and politics in Africa. But I thought I would put this out there in the event that anyone else was interested in what the song is supposedly about.

If all this is true, this research gives me an appreciation of the ability afforded me to protest/criticize my government and its policies. How truly lucky I am to live in such a country when the some people in the world have to disguise their commentary through imagery in song lyrics so they do not become political prisoners.

This is supposedly a carefully craft commentary of the current ruler of Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe.

Oliver is trying to not end up in Jail like his fellow country man, Thomas Mapfumo, who has faced imprisonment and censorship for his political activism.
Recently he has used his music to criticize the violent regime of President Robert Mugabe. His "Ndakuvara" uses the imagery of a man injured by a young ox, one who refuses to follow the examples of his elders. The indirectness of Mtukudzi's approach allows his music to go beyond a simple critique of Mugabe. While everyone recognizes Mugabe and his regime in the figure of the ox, the song also conveys a more general and important message about the harm power can bring when it trespasses past accepted and expected boundaries. Because Tuku does not name Mugabe, this message also arrives at the ears of his supporters who may be deaf to a more open attack. Tuku's art opens spaces for engagement which otherwise political art may not.

Ndakuvara Lyrics (English Translation)

Call the mother of my children; I am hurt

I was injured while training the ox
Call the mother of my children; I am hurt
I was injured while training the ox
I thought this young ox would be like
its elders
And yet it ignored its elders'
(good examples)
I used to admire it as it fed in the pastures
Thinking that in future we would harness it
Hoping that it will do the ploughing for us
Everything has gone upside down
The young oxen has kicked me
Everything has gone upside down
The young oxen has over-powered me

Posted 7 years ago by rabaak [ Reply ]

easmann wrote:

Beaker wrote:

Ethnic? We're all out of Africa, haven't you heard?

Indeed. It's almost as if we're all stuck on the same chunk of dirt hurtling helplessly through an inhospitable void. Oh wait, that viewpoint's so out of favor now. God help us.

Yeah, the void's not really that inhospitable.

Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities [ Reply ]

Beaker wrote:

Ethnic? We're all out of Africa, haven't you heard?

Indeed. It's almost as if we're all stuck on the same hunk of dirt hurtling helplessly through an inhospitable void. Oh wait, that viewpoint's so out of favor now. God help us.

Posted 8 years ago by easmann [ Reply ]

Just finishing African chicken and a craft lager, topped off by Oliver M. MMMMNNN!

Posted 9 years ago by TerryS [ Reply ]

I have really gotten into African-influenced contemporary music lately. This is a new favorite! I also like Nico N Vinz (AKA "Envy") also discovered here on RP.

Posted 9 years ago by dimar [ Reply ]

I don't like much "ethnic" type music but this is pretty nice.
Men at Work meet Bob Marley.

Posted 10 years ago by dragon1952 [ Reply ]

Ditto

Posted 11 years ago by joelbb [ Reply ]

WONDERFUL

Posted 11 years ago by Stingray [ Reply ]

Groovy!

Posted 11 years ago by zenhead [ Reply ]

7 to 8...yeah baby!!!

Posted 12 years ago by ziakut [ Reply ]

treehugger wrote:

It's Ndakuvara.

Spot on TH... awesome song. Speaks deeply to me

Posted 12 years ago by Limpopoking [ Reply ]

It's Ndakuvara.

Posted 12 years ago by treehugger [ Reply ]

Missed the chance to see him and a full dance troupe when they blew through town last year......Ndammit.

Posted 13 years ago by TerryS [ Reply ]

This cut has a terrifically percussed rhythmic content that is exceptional. It's not the language, it's the harmonies, THEY kick butt.

Cheers,
JoelB

Posted 13 years ago by joelbb [ Reply ]

Cynaera wrote:

This is a really cool song! (I can't wait to hear how Bill pronounces the name...) It makes me crank up the music and dance...

Ditto...ditto...ditto.

Posted 13 years ago by ziakut [ Reply ]

Byronape wrote:

I hate to sound like a closed minded American here, but I have hard time getting into the world music stuff. I don't really know what it is, I don't think it's the language barrier, I can barely understand people like Thom Yorke already anyway.

Just because it is not in English, doesn't necessarily mean it is good. You would be more closed-minded to say you liked it only because you couldn't understand the words.

An honest, authentic opinion is never wrong.

Posted 13 years ago by Hippostar [ Reply ]

Aegean wrote:

...

"We have here a man asking people to call his wife because he has been injured. What hurt him is a young ox he was trying to train. For some time, he had been admiring the ox. He thought it would be easy to tame the ox and then harness it to plow his fields. Unlike his other oxen however, this one has turned against him. It has over-powered and injured him badly. Among other things, Tuku is saying that we should not take anything in life for granted. You may end up getting painful surprises."

Well, what do you know? This could have been written by cattlemen in rural Texas! Tuku is right: be aware of the blessings that have come your way.

Posted 13 years ago by unclehud [ Reply ]

Aegean wrote:

Another RP gem... bravo!

It's not all that difficult to figure out what the song is about, if you're willing to put forth just a tiny bit of effort! It took me all of a few seconds to find both the native text, and a translation. I was willing to go to those lengths for someone Wikipedia says "is widely regarded as the most celebrated performer in {Zimbabwe's} history":

My wife used to teach in Uganda, and was married to an African for a number of years. She's hugely into African music, and I know this song from her. But I can relate to the guy who has a problem getting into music who's lyrics he can't understand. Looking up the meaning of the lyrics isn't quite the same. I can't associate the poetry of the guy with the emotions in his music and vocal modulations as I don't understand what's being sung as it is being sung. This intrinsically reduces the enjoyment I experience listening to a piece of music with vocals. It's not quite as bad as when a song has lyrics I find stupid and/or reprehensible (ziggy marley's ode to solipsism, which gets a good bit of play here on RP is an example of this), but it does reduce the degree of pleasure I can get from the music.

On the other hand African music in particular has a range and complexity that is nearly impossible to find in western popular music, and a hugely different underlying structure. These things make the music worth the effort of listening to.

Interestingly, my wife informs me that many popular African artists release two versions of their music: an African release, and a western release. The western versions are simplified to be more musically digestible by western audiences and their more limited pallete. My ear is not trained to the point where I could tell you if this is the western or african version of the song, or indeed if there are two versions of this album or not.

Posted 14 years ago by spacemoose [ Reply ]

Another RP gem... bravo!

It's not all that difficult to figure out what the song is about, if you're willing to put forth just a tiny bit of effort! It took me all of a few seconds to find both the native text, and a translation. I was willing to go to those lengths for someone Wikipedia says "is widely regarded as the most celebrated performer in {Zimbabwe's} history":

https://www.gugalyrics.com/OLIVER-%22TUKU%22-MTUKUDZI-NDAKUVARA-%28I-AM-HURT%29-LYRICS/333467/

"We have here a man asking people to call his wife because he has been injured. What hurt him is a young ox he was trying to train. For some time, he had been admiring the ox. He thought it would be easy to tame the ox and then harness it to plow his fields. Unlike his other oxen however, this one has turned against him. It has over-powered and injured him badly. Among other things, Tuku is saying that we should not take anything in life for granted. You may end up getting painful surprises."

Posted 14 years ago by Aegean [ Reply ]

I hate to sound like a closed minded American here, but I have hard time getting into the world music stuff. I don't really know what it is, I don't think it's the language barrier, I can barely understand people like Thom Yorke already anyway.

Posted 14 years ago by Byronape [ Reply ]

cousinkill wrote:

For a couple seconds, I thought it was going to be Men At Work!— Pretty cool tune, someone mentioned the "didit, didit!"?

Sounds like "ribbit, ribbit" to me.
Photo of bullfrog

Posted 14 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

For a couple seconds, I thought it was going to be Men At Work!— Pretty cool tune, someone mentioned the "didit, didit!"?

Posted 15 years ago by cousinkill [ Reply ]

This is a really cool song! (I can't wait to hear how Bill pronounces the name...) It makes me crank up the music and dance...

Posted 15 years ago by Cynaera [ Reply ]

jedley wrote:

if the bongos were replaced by a drum kit this would be a Duran Duran song

Ummmmmmmmm.......no

Posted 15 years ago by sirdroseph [ Reply ]

4merdj wrote:

Nice undulating rhythm ... Me likee!!!

Huh, huh, huh, huh....you said undulating. Yes, great song!

Posted 15 years ago by sirdroseph [ Reply ]

Nice undulating rhythm ... Me likee!!!

Posted 15 years ago by 4merdj [ Reply ]

if the bongos were replaced by a drum kit this would be a Duran Duran song

Posted 15 years ago by jedley [ Reply ]

Like this style!!!

Posted 16 years ago by helgigermany [ Reply ]

Would really like to hear that cover, Bill. BTW, just returned from ROTR 2009 .... another excellent festival!!

aqualight wrote:

I saw him do a Bonnie Raitt cover at a Reggae On The River. Great stuff.

Posted 16 years ago by JoBo [ Reply ]

Thanks Bill. I'd have to try really hard to find this on FM.

Posted 16 years ago by crockydile [ Reply ]

when listening/// like in somewhere far from.my place...... at sunny hot Africa...

Posted 16 years ago by Dmitrii [ Reply ]

An amazing DJ in the UK used to do some great playlists involving African music - John Robert Parker Ravenscroft AKA - John Peel (RIP) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peel ... YEAH BILL you da man!!

Posted 16 years ago by bryanhoare [ Reply ]

all the best to the coolest place on the continent!

Posted 16 years ago by Skorokoro [ Reply ]

I saw him do a Bonnie Raitt cover at a Reggae On The River. Great stuff.

Posted 16 years ago by aqualight [ Reply ]

horstman wrote:

Maybe it's because they are close minded idiots?

I see a man, with a guitar, standing in a field wearing a white shirt.

You and George Costanza.

Posted 16 years ago by Hannio [ Reply ]

Gartholamundi wrote:

totally excellent, and i completely agree. whoop! whoop!

Absolutely, totally agree. I have a very nice World Music playlist on my iPod of songs and artists I was introduced to via RP.

Posted 16 years ago by Darlington [ Reply ]

jameyp wrote:

THIS IS GREAT! I love it when RP mixes in world music— yay Bill!

thank you

totally excellent, and i completely agree. whoop! whoop!

Posted 16 years ago by Gartholamundi [ Reply ]

THIS IS GREAT! I love it when RP mixes in world music— yay Bill!

thank you

Posted 16 years ago by jameyp [ Reply ]

I love this guy's music.

Posted 16 years ago by Alafia [ Reply ]

See him/them live. Lots of positive energy, good performance

Posted 16 years ago by GChevy410 [ Reply ]

Dancing in my chair!

Posted 16 years ago by weevilkinevil [ Reply ]

A bit pop-ish, but I like it. Great background music.

Posted 16 years ago by wycado [ Reply ]

no, nothing special for this genre..........

Posted 16 years ago by VicEdee [ Reply ]

Kittee wrote:

Not my cup of tea.

me either.

Posted 16 years ago by lily34 [ Reply ]

Posted 17 years ago by vonwienerhousen [ Reply ]

Not my cup of tea.

Posted 17 years ago by Kittee [ Reply ]

spraehbuer wrote:

well yeah, they are both...black !?

why is it when people see black people they always look like Danny Glover or Eddie Murphy ?

Maybe it's because they are close minded idiots?

I see a man, with a guitar, standing in a field wearing a white shirt.

Posted 17 years ago by horstman [ Reply ]

Wonderful. Love the bass playing, sounds like EW influence.

Posted 17 years ago by nigelr [ Reply ]

I head-bob to this song....

Posted 17 years ago by MusicRookie [ Reply ]

I don't know, sometimes I see Colin Powell. spraehbuer wrote:

well yeah, they are both...black !?

why is it when people see black people they always look like Danny Glover or Eddie Murphy ?

Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast [ Reply ]

meloman wrote:

Very catchy tune, and what a surprise (and relief) no Peter Gabriel.

that was funny

Posted 17 years ago by siandbeth [ Reply ]

good tune.

Posted 17 years ago by jarrudy [ Reply ]

spraehbuer wrote:

well yeah, they are both...black !?

why is it when people see black people they always look like Danny Glover or Eddie Murphy ?

Looks like Danny Glover to me.

Posted 17 years ago by themotion [ Reply ]

He looks more like Harry Belafonte to me.

Posted 17 years ago by LaurieinTucson [ Reply ]

d00kie wrote:

..Hey this guy (at least from the cover art) looks like Danny Glover a bit :-)

well yeah, they are both...black !?

why is it when people see black people they always look like Danny Glover or Eddie Murphy ?

Posted 17 years ago by spraehbuer [ Reply ]

Perfect for tonight!

Posted 17 years ago by starfishNcoffee [ Reply ]

Nope this does nothing for me

Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex [ Reply ]

Love this piece! Thanks, Bill!

Posted 18 years ago by jredd2 [ Reply ]

sweet tune

Posted 18 years ago by bdblinux [ Reply ]

dwa375 wrote:

Sounds like some kind of Sesame Street on drugs. It's awful.

LMAO!!! he said Sesame Street on drugs.. heheh... Hey this guy (at least from the cover art) looks like Danny Glover a bit :-)

Posted 18 years ago by d00kie [ Reply ]

Love the way it just noodles along.

Posted 18 years ago by Welly [ Reply ]

To bad it's not played as often as it once was(judging from the comments)

Posted 18 years ago by bokey [ Reply ]

Fantastic. Let's have some more Zimbabweans please RP. What about some Thomas Mapfumo?

Posted 18 years ago by MatClarke [ Reply ]

Been quite a long time since I've heard this on the RP... it's like seeing an old friend again. Very nice Mr. Mtukudzi...

Posted 18 years ago by bobringer [ Reply ]

coding_to_music wrote:

Sounded like a pager or cell phone or beeping backup alarm for a while during the song. They may think that is charming and modern, I think "Answer the pager!"

I don't hear it; maybe it was the dev in the cubicle next to you?

Posted 18 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste [ Reply ]

what's not to like!!

Posted 19 years ago by nab3arch [ Reply ]

Just one more bannana for one that makes me groove in my chair

Posted 19 years ago by witchchild [ Reply ]

More bananas! 7

Posted 19 years ago by dsr15 [ Reply ]

That slap bass in the middle was way cool!

Posted 19 years ago by jah_blessed [ Reply ]

leoparadise wrote:

The emoticons are getting WAY out of control on the comments for this song.

Here's another helping of bananas:

Posted 19 years ago by jah_blessed [ Reply ]

The emoticons are getting WAY out of control on the comments for this song.

Posted 19 years ago by leoparadise [ Reply ]

Posted 19 years ago by jah_blessed [ Reply ]

I like it!

Posted 19 years ago by glassjawgrlxxx [ Reply ]

Posted 19 years ago by denizenusa [ Reply ]

I frigin love this guy

Posted 19 years ago by punkbot [ Reply ]

Very catchy tune, and what a surprise (and relief) no Peter Gabriel.

Posted 19 years ago by meloman [ Reply ]

What an amazing thing to find here, on the other hand maybe not, why am I surprised?

Posted 19 years ago by Hettapuddleduck [ Reply ]

very good..

Posted 19 years ago by stoneynt [ Reply ]

dwa375 wrote:

Sounds like some kind of Seseme Street on drugs.

catmaven wrote:

Provide translation at least, please.

These are two of the most bizarre, incoherent comments I've ever seen on RP.

Posted 19 years ago by kazuma [ Reply ]

Great stuff. WaltK wrote:

How 'bout some Nigerian rock while we're at it?

I like that idea!

Posted 19 years ago by kazuma [ Reply ]

Sounded like a pager or cell phone or beeping backup alarm for a while during the song. They may think that is charming and modern, I think "Answer the pager!" Aside from that, a fun song...

Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music [ Reply ]

Played too much? Peesh!

Posted 19 years ago by MojoJojo [ Reply ]

mafe wrote:

I caught myself shaking it in my cubicle...

That's embarassing. I never know what to say to myself when that happens....

Posted 20 years ago by phineas [ Reply ]

I have no idea what he's singing, but it sounds really cool! How 'bout some Nigerian rock while we're at it? Those guys can really get down.

Posted 20 years ago by WaltK [ Reply ]

I like african music

Posted 20 years ago by rolf [ Reply ]

How 'bout some Baka Beyond?

Posted 20 years ago by jagdriver [ Reply ]