Mbeu speaks on solo career
Kundai Marunya
Following his breakaway from Tsvete late last year, Afro fusion musician Ashton Nyahora a.k.a Mbeu has recorded a career growth, performing at different venues in and around Harare.
Mbeu (24) was part of the brilliant Afro-jazz group that hails from Norton but left under unclear circumstances to form the Mhodzi Tribe.
In an interview with Showbiz, he said his career has been blossoming. “For the past four months I’ve been playing at least five shows per week,” said Mbeu. “I have had regular performances at City Sports Bar, Pamuzinda Highway Escape, and Pakare Paye Arts Centre among many other venues.”
He has been collaborating with popular artists including Oliver Mtukudzi and Norman Masamba. “I’ve recorded a single titled My Better Half with Oliver Mtukudzi, but its still being mastered at Pakare Paya studios,” he said.
Since his breakaway, Mbeu has been releasing singles that have been doing well both in night clubs and on radio, with Mavanga topping them all. He plans to make his flagship track, the title song for his forthcoming album scheduled for release next month.
“On my first album this year I have re-recorded some of my singles now with live instrumentation. I’m working with several producers including Munya Vialy, Clive ‘Mono’ Mukundu, Orec Music Lab and Carbon Music,” he said.
Mbeu credits 70 percent of his success to Pakare Paye Arts Centre. “They gave me some of my top shows and have introduced me to seasoned artistes l’m collaborating and sharing stage with. They give me regula4 performance and rehearsal space,” he said.
Mbeu’s music journey started in 2009 when he joined his church choir. He then came together with fellow artists to form a Afro jazz band, Tsvete in 2012, performing at different stage including the Musica Festival, a stage they shared with Jamaica’s reggae star Konshens and South Africa’s Beatenberg.
