robertoluoch oluoch
May 28, 2019
Mukudzeyi Mukombe, popularly known as Jah Prayzah is a musician, philanthropist, author and artist manager from Zimbabwe. He was born on the 4th of July 1987 in Uzumba, Zimbabwe and is the last born in a family of five. The media and his fans prefer to refer to him as ‘Musoja’, a Shona word meaning soldier. This name came as a result of his signature band uniform which is a military regalia. His birth name, ‘Mukudzeyi’, means ‘praise him’, hence his stage name, Jah Prayzah. He is the lead member of a band called Third Generation. Prayzah is married to Rufaro Chiwosero and together they have three children; two daughters and a son. He schooled at Musamhi Primary school and Musamhi High School before moving to Harare for his ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels.
Music Career
Jah Prayzah’s interest in music began when he was young. He used to sing in church and during school assemblies. He also loved playing an African musical instrument called mbira. His expertise in playing the instrument improved with time as he grew older. He composed his first song while still in high school. Ever since he kicked off his music career in 2005, he has released a number of albums. They include Dura (2006), Rudo Nerunyararo (2007), Sungano Yerudo (2010), Ngwarira Kuparara (2012), Tsviriyo (2013), Kumbumura Mhute (2014), Jerusarema (2015), Mdhara Vachauya (2016), Kutonga Kwaro (2017) and Chitubu (2018).
He earned a contract for the Wednesday slot in a popular pub in Harare known as Jazz 105 following the success of his album, Ngwarira Kuparara. His Album Jerusalema was released after opening a new studio. Prayzah’s style of music is mainly Afropop and Afrobeats and is working under the record label, Military Touch Movement. His song ‘Rufaro’, which is part of the album Tsviriyo, is a dedication to his wife, Rufaro. Some of his other songs include; ‘Watora Mari’, ‘Dtzamutsana’, ‘Chikomo’, ‘Nziyo Yerudo’, ‘Kumahumbwe’, ‘Sendekera’, ‘Chengetedza’, ‘Dangerous’, ‘My Lily’, ‘Ndoenda’, ‘Hossana’, ‘Hakata’, ‘Chigunduru’, ‘Poporopipo’, ‘Eriza’, ‘Emerina’, ‘Tiise Maoko’, ‘Mudhara Vachauya’, ‘Kide’, ‘Sarai’, ‘Angel Lo’ among many others.
He has worked with a couple of big names in the African music scene such as Tanzanian star Harmonize and his boss at Wasafi Records – Diamond Platnumz, Nigerian sensational singers Yemi Alade, Patoranking and Davido, South African music duo Mafikizolo, and Kenyan boy band Sauti Sol. He has had various successful tours and performances in countries such as China, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Awards and Nominations
In 2013, Jah Prayzah won the Zimbabwe Peace Ambassador award and one NAMA Award for his song ‘Gochi Gochi’. 2014 was a very big year for him as he scooped five NAMAs and one Zim Dream Online Award. 2016 was even bigger as he received an international award, the MTV Africa Music Awards in the Listener’s Choice Category. Besides that, he won two NAMAs and four ZIMAs during the same year. Another award that he has ever won is the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards as the Best International Music Artist.
Endorsements
Prayzah has signed endorsement deals with the Chicken Slice Restaurant and Revive Maheu. He also became the Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) goodwill ambassador.
