Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited is a Zimbabwean band led by singer and songwriter Thomas Mapfumo. Beginning in the late 1970s, Mapfumo developed his mbira pop sound with guitarists Jonah Sithole and Leonard ‘Picket’ Chiyangwa, bassist Charles Makokova, and others. Mapfumo’s lyrics reflected the then concerns of hardships in the rural areas, young men heading into the bush to fight, and a rising sense of indignation at white rulers who had systematically devalued Shona culture for several generations. The guerilla fighters had taken the name chimurenga, Shona for struggle,… read more
Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited is a Zimbabwean band led by singer and songwriter Thomas Mapfumo. Beginning in the late 1970s, Mapfumo developed his mbira pop sound with guitarists Jonah Sithole and Leonard ‘Picket’ Chiyangwa, bassist Charles Makokova, and others. Mapfumo’s lyrics … read more
Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited is a Zimbabwean band led by singer and songwriter Thomas Mapfumo. Beginning in the late 1970s, Mapfumo developed his mbira pop sound with guitarists Jonah Sithole and Leonard ‘Picket’ Chiyangwa, bassist Charles Makokova, and others. Mapfumo’s lyrics reflected the then concerns of hardships in the rural areas, young men h… read more