ZIMBABWE.Harare: A dark cloud hung over Zimbabwe music fraternity Tuesday following the death of Zimdancehall musician, Soul Musaka, popularly known as Soul Jah Love who died upon arrival at the hospital after his blood sugar levels rose.
He was 31.
In paying tribute to the icon, some radio stations scheduled a time for citizens to mourn and celebrate his life, played his songs and as well revisited his moments on radio.
People’s Reactions
A number of people failed to hold back tears and sobs on the programmes, notably his fellow Zimdancehall musician, Enzo Ishall.
While others took to social media mourning Soul Jah Love with message “Rest Easy”
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On his Facebook page, Afropop musician Jah Prayzah wrote: “l still cannot believe it, but who are we to reverse it. You had a way to make everyone laugh, even when we least expected a joke from anyone, you would pull up.
Listening to his music, one could feel a sense of humour and satire in his voice.
He was popularly known by the chants like Conquering, Television and others in Shona language.
Most of his songs reflected his life and daily struggles.
Life history
Following Soul Jah Love’s background someone can tell that life has never been fair to him, but he proved to be a conqueror.
His mother passed away when he was 1 year and was left in custody of grandmother who also died when he was 10.
He then moved to stay with his father together with his twin brother who died at 15 and his father died the following year.
After the death of his father, the stepmother evicted him and other relatives refused to stay with him.
Eventually, he resorted to the streets where he was involved in drugs just like any other street kid.
Health challenges
This has complicated his health as he was diabetic and cancerous since the age of 7.
Another artist Doubles Wekwa Marange told Transcontinental Times that Soul Jah Love was a talented being regardless of the challenges he faced.
He was a strong fellow in spite of his health conditions. His life was painful”.
Music life
Soul Jah Love rose to fame in 2012 with his song, “Ndini uya uya“, in which he was saying, “it’s me whom you used to portray as foolish and stupid”.
One of his most memorable songs is “Dai hupenyu hwaitengwa” which loosely translates to, “if life could be bought” he could buy his mother’s life.
In one of his interviews with Star FM in 2016 he said this song was inspired by his battles and experiences.
He became one of the most loved musician among big names in the music industry.
Pah Chihera an Afro-jazz musician said she was inspired by Soul Jah Love music.
“Sauro (Soul), Chigunduru (street kid)….all those names emanated from the Talent he carried”.
“Who can stand and cannot confess how his songs appealed to many. Personally he inspired me with the wisdom, the chanting of very meaningful lyrics”, she emotionally told Transcontinental Times.
Zimdancehall has become the most dominant music genre in which somehow been an answer to unemployment to many ghetto youths in high-density suburbs mainly Mbare as they record in a freestyle.
Soul Jah Love will be remembered as one of the artists who could compose a song off-head, without sitting down to write it up.
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