Formed in Harare in April 1980, just as Zimbabwe gained independence, the band’s name was inspired by the “bhundu” the bush or jungle where young boys aided guerrilla fighters during the liberation struggle. This spirit of resilience and innovation shaped their music and identity. The Bhundu Boys’ sound was a groundbreaking fusion of local chimurenga rhythms with influences from American rock and roll, disco, country, and pop. This unique blend became known as jit, a style marked by frenetic guitar work, infectious melodies, and pulsating rhythms. Their music quickly resonated with Zimbabwean audiences, and between 1981 and 1984, they had four consecutive number one hits, including “Hatisitose,” “Baba Munini Francis,” “Wenhamo Haaneti,” and “Ndimboze.” Their debut single, “Hatisitose,” famously topped the charts for three months straight. Initially, the band honed their craft playing Western pop covers in township beer halls, using homemade instruments before being discovered by Steve Roskilly, who recorded their early sessions at Shed Studios in Harare. Their rise was meteoric; by the mid-1980s, the Bhundu Boys were not just local heroes but international sensations. Their album “Shabini” became a major independent hit in the UK, and their energetic live performances won over British audiences and influential DJs like John Peel and Andy Kershaw Peel was even moved to tears at one of their shows.
The Bhundu Boys’ international breakthrough included touring the UK for a year, playing at the Glastonbury Festival, and supporting global icons like Madonna, Eric Clapton, and Elvis Costello at Wembley Stadium, performing to a combined audience of 240,000 people over three nights. Their success led to a deal with Warner Brothers International, and for a time, they outsold even Michael Jackson in Zimbabwe with “Hatisitose,” which stayed at number one for 12 weeks. However, the band’s story is also one of tragedy. After their initial success, creative and personal challenges emerged. Their 1987 album “True Jit” was not well received, and internal tensions led to the departure of lead singer Biggie Tembo in 1990. The band was further devastated by the deaths of several members, including Tembo, David Mankaba, and Shakespeare Kangwena, many from AIDS-related illnesses. Tembo’s own struggles with mental health ended in his tragic suicide in 1995. Despite these hardships, the Bhundu Boys’ legacy endures. They are remembered as Zimbabwe’s most commercially and creatively successful band, pioneers who made jit music a symbol of national pride and helped introduce African pop to the world. Their influence can still be heard in the music of contemporary Zimbabwean groups, and their story remains a testament to the power of music to cross borders and unite people in joy and sorrow.
Dandaro Online Zimbabwe Did You Know
