By Darlington Muyambwa
The reference to the well-known Bible parable of David and Goliath for the tittle is genius for Freeman’s latest album which has many prayers and evangelical tracks that are rooted in lived realities that most of us face and a strong reference to faith. He mentions “Mwari” in many a song in the album and no matter how he weaves through, this by large is a gospel album as much as it is other things – in fact the first word to the album is “Ishe”.
The 13-track album aptly opens with a prayer Komborera for the bread winners who hustle every day. This is a prayer for all of those who know how difficult it is to work and wake each day to ensure that there is a hot meal for the beloved ones. During the long nights alone on the computer or long drives to destinations far or when enduring early blistering mornings chasing deadlines, this song will surely be a companion. The thumping beat is memorable so is the Chorus with reference to our past national anthem that most of us will always be nostalgic about.
The opening of the second track Ndibvunzewo is reminisce of Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind but swiftly before it goes deep on that path it blends with a classic deep reggae vibe. Once again, he does not desist from ragga chanting on this song. Message wise, the song is another prayer for our sisters and daughters who struggle to find companions that are faithful and committed- who have truly become scarce these days. In a usual fashion, he stamps the bride tag of “Mhofu” which is typical of these totem bearers- we see you vana Mhofu. As the song progresses it becomes very mellow with saxophone tones deep as if it was a true jazz track.
The title track David and Goliath reminds me of the giants in my life both the metaphorical ones and the actual giants who taught me the true essence of success which is perseverance, hard work and consistence. It also reminds me that there are challenges “Goliaths” that we need to fight each day. This song also summarizes how I see his life story of making song after song in a career laden with hits but also struggles and challenges. Freeman is arguably not the most talented just like David who was not blessed with statue but his ability to work hard, be tactful and consistent has paid dividend. It’s a theme song to press play when we feel we want to give up or when the task seems unsurmountable. He gives an important advice that it’s not an alarm that wakes you up at 9am- indeed it’s not (if you don’t get it forget it, he says). The song follows the adage that it is the earliest bird that catches the fattest worm.
Mukuru is a dancehall song with a thumping beat that I see helping us to “loosen”. For those of my generation it’s the type of song that one of these talented DJs would play at the “Cup Clash” and add on their own chants to it such as “heavy like leather, or more fire!” Although it’s this typical dancehall song, it is not short of a message, he advises that in life struggles will never end so sometimes we should just forget it and relax. It’s a song about recharging and escaping our daily problems which at times are not that bad. “Play the music” he advises- its therapeutic at times and I agree.
In a typical Freeman style, he doesn’t waste collaborations. Zimbabwean Queen is a song that will make you dance with its Soca[1] influenced vibe; I hope it will be accompanied with an explosive video. This song during the (two months away) festive season will be danced to in clubs as well as family gathering, I am certain if grunted, we will sing along in cars from places of fun. Freeman is master collaborator because like salt and oil in relish he never fights for dominance or does he attempt to change his identity (he understands that will ruin the broth)- he comes through and just does his job, and he always emerges. Christopher Martin is no joke musically and to match him bar by bar, vocal by vocal is brilliant from Freeman. This I think is another Hit from the artist I call Serial Hit Maker.
Mjolo[2] has been problematic and in this song Dr wemagitare switched to Dr love with advice as he takes us to “class” over a growing pandemic which we can surely avoid. The suicide and murder cases related to Mjolo are growing and worrying and for an artist to tackle this issue in the way he does is important social commentary. I cannot start to distill the meaning laden song than just to say he cautions, let’s be natural “things should happen automatically”, let’s be mature, let’s not “own” those we love and understand that it’s never about material things “Samsung or iPhone”.
For those of us who often find ourselves away from our families the song Distance is relatable. As already established this Freeman guy is master of collaborations and on this one, he doesn’t disappoint again. Poptain’s flavor is very distinctive within the fusion. Again, it’s another prayer song. “Wenera” didn’t end, we still have the same struggles as a generation of having to leave our families to work to make ends meet. The song is a playlist song for those that will drive, fly, or hitch hike distances from workplaces to be with their beloved ones.
Chitsike reminds us of the Prince Mafukidze’s song but only by title, the Freeman version is fresh, original, and again a lament of the difficult challenges we face “the Goliaths”. In most times, we struggle to explain why things just go against us and we can only think it’s because of bad omen because after trying so hard that’s the only thing that makes sense. The song however is not just an aimless lament, it is also a call to action “Chitsike”- stamp on it so that we see a better result. The reference to prayer as a solution comes through again in this song with a chorus so memorable, I see my mother seeing along as she will be doing some laundry.
Vakomana veDrip “the cool ones” reminds us of ourselves or those we know who fits this description. These ones are cunning, and he warns everyone that they will win you over with their sweet tongues, ka “smart” and charm. Hear, hear our sisters and daughters, Freeman warns its best to avoid these ones. I however see the danger of me and my friend pointing to some of these with just the reference “Ndivava”- I pray that we will not offend anyone or get pounced in the process.
Nizabwela is a smart collaboration for many reasons. The Zambian music scene is booming and Towela is one of the new voices penetrating that market. The beat fits perfectly to the young Zambians’ and Lusaka’s night culture. I hope this will lead to other exciting works with Zambian artists especially Yo Maps who is with no doubt the shining star of this new generation in Zambia. Allowing Towela to sing in her Nyanja was smart because this will only grow a market in this country. I hope Grand Daddies, Chicagos and all my other favorite Zambian joints will rock to this one. The mix of languages makes a broader market understand this song about the struggle for us man to only come home when “we have answers” even when our beloved ones cry sadly for us to come back.
The song Maruva reminds me of Wekwedu both by the rhythm and theme and its obvious with how successful the song was, one can always lean back. It really sounds like a sequel as it further reminds us that we should not wait to give each other flowers or post on social media in death but learn to celebrate each other in this life when we still can receive the praises. As a people this is an important song at all levels, we should be able to appreciate each other, especially my generation- we are often affected by petty jealousies that have made us loose collective power.
In Wakadyiswa, another successful collaboration with the ever-rising vocalist Nyasha David was made. The song dispels common “Wakadyiswa” diss by making it attractive. They go on to ask for more love portions “ndipe”, “nditope”, but they are quick to caution that even when one is given a love portion there are boundaries, and it should not surmount to abuse but just done to flavor love.
The album closes with Yeah Yeah! Which I think is a good way to shut the album so heavy on message. It’s a song that just speaks of the idea that take it easy sometimes, similarly some songs are just to listen and if you don’t understand that you will be out of context and you will be restrained.
[1] Soca music is a genre of music defined by Lord Shorty, its inventor, as the “Soul of Calypso”, which has influences of African and East Indian rhythms.
[2] Slang word for “relationship” and more recently refers also to complications that come with relationships.
