Music

The 20-year-old Ras'Shibambu is quickly gaining popularity in the reggae genre as he continues to perform his music in the public domain.

Born Kulani Shibambu at Mashamba (Tshivhuyuni), Ras'Shibambu recently released his debut album, which contains eight tracks. It is titled Ava kurhandzi, which loosely translates as They don't love you.

“Ava kurhandzi refers to bad company,” he said. “Today we find youths, and even adults, doing wrong things because of peer pressure. But when things are bad, all those friends are nowhere to be seen.”

His album includes songs such as Tshilani, Mulomo wa Muthu, Kholomo ya ndila, Lufuno, and Mukegulu vho Shona.

Ras'Shibambu started by selling Burning Doctor's CDs and DVDs in the streets for pocket money. Soon the love for reggae music and singing stole his heart. He investigated the industry and sought more relevant knowledge on recording.

“I wanted to know more about the industry before I could attempt recording the songs,” he said.

However, Burning Doctor had all along noticed Ras'Shibambu's singing abilities. He approached his family and explained about the young man's talent. He felt his talent needed to be cultivated and recorded as a music project for the nation to enjoy listening to.

Ras'Shibambu's older brother, Joel Shibambu, paid the recording fee for him and the young man walked out of the studio with Ava kurhandzi.

“I want people across all ages to listen to my music and think about life and issues of life," he said. “I also want them to enjoy the quality sounds.”

It might sound pompous for an artist to speak about the “quality” of his music. However, this young man's sound quality is superb and stable. If one were listening to his music without having seen or heard about him, one would think he was the legendry reggae artist Colbert Mukwevho.

“I am not imitating Vho-Mukwevho,” he said. “I grew up listening to him and even to this day I still regard him as one of the best and a cornerstone of reggae music here in Venda and the whole South Africa. So I cannot deny his influence on my music.”

Ras'Shibambu is a Grade 12 pupil at Tshikhuthula Secondary School. His music is available at good music stores around Vhembe.