Oliver Mtukudzi

Bio

Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi (22 September 1952 – 23 January 2019) was a Zimbabwean musician from Norton, Mashonaland West Province.

Arguably Zimbabwe's most revered musician, Oliver Mtukudzi and his band the Black Spirits churned out some 60 albums since the late 1970s. Mtukudzi’s musical career started at the age of 23 with the 1975 release of his debut single 'Stop After Orange'. He turned professional two years later in 1977, teaming up with Thomas Mapfumo in the famous Wagon Wheels Band and recorded the hit 'Dzandimomotera', inspired by Zimbabwe’s war of liberation. It was soon followed by Tuku's first solo album, which was also a major success.

With his husky voice, Tuku became the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and he earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond. A member of Zimbabwe's Korekore tribe, he sang in the nation's dominant Shona language, along with Ndebele and English. He incorporated elements of various musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans as 'Tuku Music'. The style evolved into a distinct Zimbabwean sound, incorporating traditional forms of the mbira, South African mbaqanga and the popular Zimbabwean music style called jiti.

Mtukudzi toured all over the world, performing for large audiences in the UK and North America. He also performed regularly in South Africa and Mozambique.

Photos by: David Durbach

Music

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Oliver Mtukudzi
Hear Me Lord
07:42
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Ringo Madlingozi
Into Yam' (feat. Oliver Mtukudzi)
05:03
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Mean What You Say
05:43
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Ghetto Boy
04:07
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Psss Psss Hallo!
05:52
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Hakuna Zita
05:15
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Ngoma Nehosho
06:31
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Ndine Mubvanzo
05:40
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Sandi Bonde
05:17
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Muranda Kumwe
04:51
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Pindurai Mambo
06:17
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Chiri Nani
05:49
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Mhakure
04:29
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Hatida Hondo
05:40
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Murimi Munhu
06:15
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Wenge Mambo
05:07
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Rurimi
05:06
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Akoromoka Awa
04:46
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Pahukama
05:47
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Shanda
07:37
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Ivai Navo
07:55
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Tapera
07:30
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Wongororo
07:14
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Gondo
04:56
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Neria
05:29
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Handiende
04:58
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Mbabvu Yangu
06:43
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Strange, Isn't It? (Shanda Live)
05:37
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Bvongodza Muto (Shanda Live)
06:14
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Gudo Guru (Shanda Live)
05:47
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Zimbabwe (Shanda Live)
06:10
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Mutavara (Shanda Live)
10:34
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Ndiani Pane Zamba
05:09
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Neria (Live)
04:37
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Ndakuvara
04:58
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Magumo
05:37
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Todii
06:53
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Matibaya
05:00
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Matope
06:25
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Neria
05:57
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Neria
04:42
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Hear Me Lord
05:59
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Dj mattvibez
Oliver Mtukudzi - Kunze Kwadoka
05:29
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Pa Bodzi
05:15
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Bhiza Ra Mambo
05:47
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Tapera (One Night at 60 Live)
07:54
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Changaz
05 Watitsvata - Oliver Mtukudzi
05:58
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Hukoche-Koche (Live at Pakare Paye)
08:13
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Zvineita Tikudzwe (Live at Pakare Paye)
05:46
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Ndima Ndapedza
06:28
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Wake Up
06:12
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Tapinwa Nei
06:35
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Tsika Dzedu
06:30
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Mai Varamba
06:26
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Rirongere
05:56
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Chiro Chakanaka
03:53
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Wamambo Mwana
04:22
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Kure Kwazvo
05:51
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Maiwe Pidigu
07:04
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Rangu Jana
05:12
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Yekunwa
05:15
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Unaye
05:27
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Going on..What?
05:57
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Pasai Njere
05:17
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Mukana
04:49
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Wabarira Vamwe
06:08
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Pfimbika
04:25
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Chengetai
03:54
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Raki
07:06
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Mkuru Mkuru
05:55
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Mabasa
07:18
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Kunze Kwadoka
05:29
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Mutserendende
06:09
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Wasakara
07:28
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Dzoka Uyamwe
06:04
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Ndagarwa Nhaka
04:52
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Hakuendwe
07:33
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Makaitei
04:50
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Madanha
05:31
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Street Kid
03:23
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Andinzwi
07:30
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Mutorwa
05:21
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Ndakuyambira
10:55
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Ndotangira Poyi
07:38
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Ndikarangarira
06:55
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Hear Me Lord
06:05
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Chinhambwe
07:02
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Njuga
05:28
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Tozeza
06:09
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Handiro Dambudziko
05:48
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Tiregerereiwo
06:35
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Hazvireve
05:49
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Menzva Kudzimba
05:18
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Izere Mhepo
05:15
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Unetyei?
04:32
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Wagona Fani
06:48
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Totutuma
05:15
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Hariputiwe
05:20
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Watitsvata
05:57
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Uneyerera
05:10
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Oliver Mtukudzi
Haidyoreke
05:02
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aleximn
Muchatuta - Oliver Mtukudzi
06:40
SoundCloud

Videos

Oliver Mtukudzi - hariputirwe
Oliver Mtukudzi - Ndakakubereka
Oliver Mtukudzi - Shungu Dzaamai
Oliver Mtukudzi - Todii
Oliver Mtukudzi - Masimba mashoma
Oliver Mtukudzi - shanda
Oliver Mtukudzi - Mutserendende Live
Tuku - Live
Oliver Mtukudzi - Neria
Oliver Mtukudzi - Raki Live
Oliver Mtukudzi - Ndakuvara
Oliver Mtukudzi - tozeza baba
Oliver Mtukudzi - Tapera

Photos

ZWHarare, Zimbabwe
In operation since: 
1970

Contact

Pakare Paye Arts Centre
Profile added by Linda Gabriel on 28 Jul 2014
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