World music great Oliver Mtukudzi to be honoured in London

Zimbabwean World Music and Afro-Jazz maestro, Oliver Mtukudzi is to be celebrated with an honorary award for his contribution to charity and humanitarian causes at London's iconic O2 arena next week.

With a career spanning 35 years and 60 albums, "Tuku", as Mtukudzi is affectionately known in his native Zimbabwe, will perform at the IndigO2 centre for the first time on Friday August 17, 2012.
The Show's promoters, Base Africa, say the gig dubbed Hoza 2012 - A Tribute to the King of Music is a befitting honour to Mtukudzi, a former UNICEF goodwill ambassador and recipient of several awards, in recognition of his services to music and charity.

Glorrianne Francis, director of Base Africa said: "We are delighted to honour Tuku here in London, before the eyes of the world, just as the London Olympics will be coming to a close."

"He is one of Africa's most accomplished artists – a unique musician, songwriter and producer who embodies both success and distinction, and who serves as a dedicated ambassador for many charities. Oliver Mtukudzi is a bold, humane and creative spirit, the composer of daring and socially conscious music, often unpredictable and provocative in the best sense of the word. He creates music that challenges us to rethink our prejudices and our preconceptions," she added.

Tuku's music advocates human rights and shines a light on issues affecting children and women. It is in this spirit that Mtukudzi is billed to share the stage at his O2 debut with three leading female musicians of Zimbabwean heritage, in the form of Shingai Shonhiwa of the Pop group Noisettes, and Afro-Jazz songstresses, Busi Ncube and Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana.



Shingai said: "As a London girl raised in the UK by Zimbabwean parents, I grew up listening to a lot of Tuku music and watching his evocative acting performance in the women's rights movie Neria. I am honoured and humbled to be afforded the opportunity to stand next to the great music giant. That alone to me, is a dream come true."

Base Africa plan to hold the HOZA music series as an annual event to profile and showcase the music and culture of Southern Africa. The gigs will also be fundraising platforms with proceeds of the show going this year to the charities Vimba Trust and Ponayi.

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