Jah Prayzah

Last updated
Jah Prayzah
Birth nameMukudzeyi Mukombe
Also known asMasoja, JP
Born (1987-07-04) 4 July 1987 (age 36) [1]
Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe, Zimbabwe
Origin Harare, Zimbabwe
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • philanthropist
  • author
  • comedian
  • brand ambassador
  • artist manager
Instruments
LabelsJP Studios
Website www.jahprayzah.com

Mukudzeyi Mukombe (born 4 July 1987), [2] better known as Jah Prayzah, is a Zimbabwean contemporary musician and lead member of the band Third Generation. Regarded as the most prolific musician of his generation in the country, he was popularly referred to by fans and media as "Masoja", 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, "Mukudzeyi", which means "Praise Him". [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Mukombe was born and raised in Uzumba, Murehwa, a small town about 95 km from Harare, capital of Zimbabwe. [4] He was the last born in a family of five. [5] As a young boy he liked writing, reading his father's Shona novels, swimming in the river with friends, and hunting in the forests. [5] 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 Mupa Musimbe. As he grew older and as his mbira skills improved, 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.

Mukombe, attended Musamhi Primary School and later Musamhi High School in Mutoko, in Mashonaland East Province. He then relocated to Harare where he stayed with his uncle and eventually completed his ordinary and advanced levels of education in Harare. [6]

Music career

Mukombe's first experience with composing music was during his early years of high school. [7] 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".

He started his career in 2005. 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. [8] In the same year he won five NAMA awards and two ZIMA awards. [9]

In 2015, he opened a new studio and released his sixth studio album, Jerusarema. [10]

His most notable work is a collaboration with award-winning Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz on his hit song "Watora Mari", [11] [12] 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.

On 2 November 2018, Mukombe launched his eighth studio album titled Chitubu. The album features collaborations from well known African artists such as Patoranking and Sauti Sol. In 2019, Mukombe was nominated for the Best Male Artist in Southern Africa in the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMAs). [13]

In April 2023, it was announced that Mukombe was going to release not one, but two albums at the same time. The albums were launched in Harare and Bulawayo with record setting concerts on May 12 and 13 respectively. [14]

Discography

Albums

Awards

Personal life

He is married to Rufaro Chiworeso, whom he sang about in his song Rufaro. They have a son and three daughters. He also has a son from his previous marriage. In 2012, Mukombe revealed that his secret of success comes from his mother after she blessed him after giving her a US$7,000 as a present on a birthday party in 2012. Jah Prayzah's networth in 2022 is estimated at USD20000000 [10]

Tours

Mukombe has had many international shows in Australia, [23] the United Kingdom, Canada, [24] the United States, [24] China and South Africa.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bebe Cool</span> Ugandan recording artist

Bebe Cool is a reggae and ragga musician from Uganda. He started his career around 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya, but moved back to his native country a few years later. Bebe Cool was one of the first artists affiliated with Ogopa DJs, a production house and record label in Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winky D</span> Musical artist

Winky D is a Zimbabwean reggae-dancehall artist popularly known as "The Big Man". Winky D is often considered the Zimdancehall pioneer and one of the most accomplished modern Zimbabwean music artists. His music provides social commentary about Zimbabwean society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shingisai Suluma</span> Zimbabwean singer (born 1971)

Shingisai Suluma is a Zimbabwean Christian singer, songwriter and worship leader.

Lovejoy Matare, popularly known by his stage name L kat, is a Zimbabwean hip hop recording artist originally from Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. He records mostly in Shona, his native tongue. In 2005, he released his first single "Wandinoda" as part of his high school compilation album dubbed Manunure High School Mic Fever 1. In 2013, he released his debut studio album Goodlife while signed to Maskiri's record label, Mhondoro Music. The album was supported by the singles "Ndinotya", "Ndiudze", "Tisanyadzise", and "Kupiko". On 6 April 2015, he released an EP album The Golden Episode. The album's singles include "Zita Rako", "My Special Munhu" and "Rudo Ma1". L kat has won several music awards, including multiple Midlands Music Awards and also have been nominated in the Zimbabwe Music Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Souljah</span> Zimbabwean musician

Thabani Ndlovu, known professionally as Buffalo Souljah, is a South Africa-based Zimbabwean reggae recording artist and songwriter. He won ten times at the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, Soundcity Music Awards, and Zimdancehall Awards and Nominated for Afrimma, Afrima ,IRAWMA. He owns the record label U.N.A..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Cole (choreographer)</span> Zimbabwean dancer and choreographer

John Cole is a Zimbabwean choreographer and performing artist.

Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (Z.A.A.) also referred to as Zim Achievers Awards is an awards ceremony that seeks to recognise Zimbabweans based in the diaspora for outstanding and notable achievements. Among the awards recipients include Hollywood actress Danai Gurira of The Walking Dead TV Series, and Black Panther; Chipo Chung as well as Luthuli Dhlamini of South Africa's TV Series Generations.

Clive 'Mono' Mukundu is a Zimbabwean music producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist largely known as a guitarist. He is also an author. Mukundu has featured on more than 1000 albums and over 200 singles from 1988 to date.

Selmor Mtukudzi is a Zimbabwean musician and actress. She is the daughter of the late Zimbabwean music icon and national hero, Oliver Mtukudzi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janet Manyowa</span> Zimbabwean gospel musician

Janet Manyowa is a Zimbabwean gospel musician.

The 2019 Star FM Music Awards were held on February 1, 2019, at Zimbali Gardens in Harare, Zimbabwe. The awards identify musical excellence, providing a multifaceted celebration of the rich cultural diversity of Zimbabwean music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solyd the Plug</span> Zimbabwean DJ and record producer

Martin Chikomba who goes by the stage name Solyd The Plug, is a Zimbabwean-American businessman, record producer and Amapiano artist. He is the founder of Oak Media Group which is a record label. He is one of the co-founders of Mashroom Media. Solyd The Plug is well known for his single Bella Ciao which is a remix of the popular song off the Netflix series Money Heist.

Thamsanqa 'Tamy' Moyo is a Zimbabwean musical artist and actress. She rose to fame after releasing her 2016 song “Ndibereke" she is also known for her role in the 2020 film “Gonarezhou".

Nox Guni alias Nox, is a Zimbabwean musician, performing artist, songwriter and producer based in South Africa. He is renowned for the musical movement in Zimbabwe of the early 2000s dubbed Urban Grooves.

Mudiwa Hood is a Zimbabwean rapper, singer and actor.

Soul Muzavazi Musaka, known professionally as Soul Jah Love, was an award-winning Zimbabwean musician credited as a pioneer of mainstream Zimdancehall. He was declared a hero for his contributions to music. Among several hit singles, Soul Jah Love had tracks "Ndini Uya Uya", "Gum-kum" (2012),"Pamamonya Ipapo." (2016) Posthumous work included "Ndichafa Rinhi" (2021). He also won numerous ZIMA, NAMA awards for "Ndini Uya Uya", "Gum-kum" (2012),"Pamamonya Ipapo." (2016). "Ndini Uya Uya", "Gum-kum" (2012),"Pamamonya Ipapo." (2016) were the first major hits that brought the late Soul Jah Love international recognition in Dancehall. He was widely referred to as "Chibaba".

Rumbidzai Takawira is a prominent Zimbabwean television personality, TV producer, broadcast journalist and former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation main news anchor. She is also a karateka, she represented Zimbabwe at the World Karate Championships in Shizuoka, Japan.

Sandra Ndebele is a Zimbabwean musician, dancer and actress.

Everton Mlalazi is Zimbabwean gospel artist.

Clare Nyakujara is a US based Zimbabwean afro-fusion musician and acoustic player.

References

  1. ↑ https://twitter.com/ZOLconnect/status/1146699661371199488 (post confirms date of birth) Happy Bday @JahPrayzah Thank you for your contributions in helping us bring Wi-Fi to the Ghetto, tichizora Ghetto rese neWi-Fi
    1. ZOLWibroniks
  2. ↑ "Coke Studio Africa – Artist – Jah Prayzah". www.coca-cola.co.ke. Retrieved 2020-02-08.
  3. ↑ "iHarare News – iHarare news offers the latest Zimbabwe news, daily news in Zimbabwe, news online, South Africa news, sports news as well as international breaking news". iHarare News. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  4. ↑ Robert Mukandiwa, About Us, Jah Prayzah Official Website. Retrieved:16 March 2014.
  5. 1 2 "At home with Jah Prayzah, family". The Standard. 2013-09-15. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  6. ↑ "Jah Prayzah". MTM. 2017-06-21. Archived from the original on 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
  7. ↑ "About Us". jahprayzah.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-29. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  8. ↑ Music, Video. "Kumbumura Mhute". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jah Prayzah in Nama clean sweep". herald.co.zw.
  10. 1 2 "Jah Prayzah reveals secret to success". DailyNews Live.
  11. ↑ Africa, Forbes (2018-01-22). "Jah Prayzah: My Music Is Not A Tuck-Shop Business". Forbes Africa. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  12. ↑ Chronicle, The. "When superstars become stalkers: The problem with the Jah Prayzah/Davido collabo". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  13. ↑ "AFRIMAs 2019 announce regional nominees". Music in Africa. 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  14. ↑ Chronicle, The. "Jah Prayzah to launch not one, but two albums". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  15. ↑ Takawira, Divine. "Jah Prayzah releases his new Album title Hokoyo". Zimzone. Zimzone News. Retrieved 20 May 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Singer; Songwriter; Jerusarema; Eriza; Tsviriyo; ’’Sendekera’’; ’’Lilly’’; Vachauya’’, ’’Mudhara; Kwaro’’, ’’Kutonga (2020-05-30). "Jah Prayzah, Profile, Age, Music, Wife – Pindula, Local Knowledge". Pindula. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
  17. ↑ "Jah Prayzah win MTV Africa Music award". 23 October 2016.
  18. ↑ "Zimbabwean Musician Scoops Four Awards". allAfrica.com. 18 February 2014.
  19. ↑ "Winky D, Jah Prayzah dominate Nama". nehandaradio.com. 15 February 2016.
  20. ↑ "Jah Prayzah's Military Touch dominates ZIBA awards". 13 December 2017.
  21. ↑ "Jah Prayzah's phenomenal rise…bags 15th NAMA | Celebrating Being Zimbabwean".
  22. ↑ "Top award nomination charms Jah Prayzah".
  23. ↑ tour
  24. 1 2 "Coke Studio Season 3 – Jah Prayzah". www.coke.co.za. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.