SUPERSTAR Oliver Mtukudzi is working on CD that will feature international artiste Alicia Keys alongside mbira queen Chiwoniso Maraire. The project will feature other prominent regional artistes who are actively involved in charity work and the plight of children living with HIV and Aids. Its release is expected to coincide with World Aids Day marked on December 1. Alicia Keys is a Grammy Award-winning artiste with several billboard hits to her name.She is the co-founder of the humanitarian organisation Keep A Child Alive. Mtukudzi's spokesperson Sam Mataure confirmed the project. "It is not a direct collaboration between Alicia and Tuku, per se, but he (Tuku) will feature on the CD, that includes works from Alicia (Keys) and Chiwoniso. "In any can case, I am not the best person to comment on that. You need to speak to the people behind the project," said Mataure. However, no comment could be obtained from the project owners, Medicines Sans Frontiers (Doctors without borders) by the time of going to print.
Tuku, as he is affectionately known by his multitude of fans, is no stranger to such initiatives as he has been actively involved in charity work for the greater part of his career. This year he was appointed Unicef Goodwill ambassador for East and Southern Africa. His growing profile in the arts has made him an international musical icon. The Forbes magazine recently ranked him 12th among the 40 most influential celebrities in
Africa, apart from being one of the few Zimbabwean artistes who have managed to consistently dish out meaningful music, which has effected change in society. The humble and soft-spoken man brings out a fusion of Afro Jazz and Soul where he addresses social wrongs and advocates the virtues of respect and humility.
Mtukudzi is a songwriter and a guitar player, and is well-known for his graceful onstage dance moves, which he performs while playing. Kicking off his career back in the 70's, the 59-year-old artiste has 60 albums to his name and a string of awards conferred on him for his outstanding contribution in the arts sector. He was conferred with honorary degrees by both the University of Zimbabwe and the Women's University in Africa.
He has won numerous awards and has featured in many feature films and TV programmes and prestigious magazines, for example Time Africa's article entitled "The People's Voice" together with his picture on the front cover. (Herald)
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