Lloyd Shunje
Mashava – Contemporary mbira artists, Nyarai and Chenai Chaendera, who are making trends in the entertainment circles as Chaendera Sisters, have disclosed their dream of growing big, saying their music does not fade easily.
In an interview with TellZim News, the upcoming jazz artists said musicians like the late Chiwoniso Maraire and Thomas Mapfumo were their source of inspiration.
“Our father is a big mbira music fan so that’s the music we grew up listening to and is the heartbeat of our family.
“Starting off with hosho and makwakwa lessons during family gatherings, other African instruments like mbira became our favourite,” said Nyarai.
Though the two sisters, who are in their twenties, appear elitist, they have urged the young to observe their culture regardless of outside influences.
“We are very much in touch with our traditions though some people tend to have opposite impressions of us. We are also models but we keep it African in whatever we do. If we try to reproduce foreign genres, nobody will produce our own genres for foreign audiences,” Chenai said.
The duo advised fellow artists to produce meaningful content that is relevant to the conditions of the day rather than concentrate on often dirty lyrics that seem to be popular with mainstream music nowadays.
“Our culture has been affected mostly by the entertainment sector as most artists sing dirty content which play no part in developmental efforts. It is our duty as artists to sing about development and not to be seen as glamourising immorality and drug abuse,” they said.
Meanwhile, the Chaendera Sisters who have since become the heart of Liquids Bar International’s Sunday Night Live are cruising on their only album; Ruvara which boasts tracks like Muroora and Kuenda Mbire.entertainment
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