These 4 ‘Zilizopendwa’ artists who should be on your playlist

Piece by: ASHLEY OTIENO

18 May 2023

• Here are some of the artists who made zilizopendwa music genre a hit across the world from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Zilizopendwa is a music genre that took the 80s and 70s by storm in Africa. The music is a fusion of African rhythms, jazz, and soul music.

The majority of these songs address social and political issues, as well as love and relationships.

Zilizopendwa produced so many influential artists who have contributed to its popularity the likes of Oliver Mtukudzi, Mbilia Bel, Kanda Bongo Man, and Papa Wemba.

Oliver Mtukudzi

The late Oliver Mtukudzi was of Zimbabwean origin whose choice of songs was always crafted with a message in the Shona language and reached many people across the world.

He was well known for his song Todii which was during the time HIV/AIDS was rampant in the African continent.

Some of his other songs were; Mutserendende, Neria, and Ndagar Nhaka among many others.

Mbilia Bel

Mbilia Bel was born in Kinshasa, Congo, and started singing together with Tabu Ley. After her first pregnancy she took time off and came back as a solo artist.

She then moved to Paris and together with guitarist Rigo Star, she came back to music he used to compose most of her music.

Her songs were centered around adult love themes and she toured the world while doing music.

She is well known for her song Nakei Nairobi which she did while still singing with tabu ley.

She is still into doing music and live performances.