Bhundu Boys
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 in Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Harare , Zimbabwe |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Bhundu Boys were a Zimbabwean ensemble that fused chimurenga music with elements of American rock, disco, country, and pop. Their distinctive sound, identified as jit, achieved widespread acclaim throughout Africa and inspired bands such as Nehoreka and Mokoomba. British DJ Andy Kershaw praised them as "...the single most natural, effortless, catchy pop band I've ever heard," while BBC's John Peel was moved to tears during their initial live performance.
Their name, Bhundu, translates to "bush" or "jungle," and refers to the young boys who supported nationalist guerrillas during the Rhodesian Bush War of the 1970s. The lead vocalist, Biggie Tembo, was himself one of these Bhundu boys.
Origins
In August 1982, the Bhundu Boys recorded their debut 7" single, Une Shuwa Here, at Shed Studios in Harare amidst efforts to promote indigenous music. Shed Studios, owned by Steve Roskilly and Martin Norris with engineering contributions from them and house drummer Bothwell Nyamhondera, signed the group to a three-year deal in February 1983. To build their profile, the band issued singles monthly on Shed's Rugare Label. Between 1982 and 1986, they ascended to Zimbabwe’s premier musical status with four chart-topping hits: "Baba Munini Francis," "Wenhamo Haaneti," "Hatisitose," and "Tsvimbodzemoto."
Breakthrough in the UK
Their UK exposure began in 1985 when Owen Elias and musician Champion Doug Veitch released an EP on their Discafrique label under license from Shed Studios. BBC Radio personalities John Peel and Andy Kershaw championed their music. In 1986, Discafrique issued Shabhini, their first UK album compiling Zimbabwean tracks.
Managed by Scottish graphic artist Gordon Muir, they toured the UK in 1986 and appeared set for significant commercial achievement. They received endorsements from Eric Clapton and Elvis Costello, and Madonna invited them to open for her Wembley Stadium concert in 1987.
In October 1986, just before releasing their second UK album Tsvimbodzemoto on Discafrique, the band sought early termination of their contract with Shed Studios to sign with Warner Bros. Records under Muir’s guidance. This arrangement transferred all rights to prior Shed recordings back to Shed Music, which continued disbursing publishing royalties. Controversy surrounded much of their £80,000 WEA advance being spent on purchasing a property in Kensal Rise, London—a matter still disputed as of 2006. The group toured North America, Australia, and Hong Kong; however, their debut WEA album True Jit, produced by Robin Millar, marked a stylistic departure from earlier material and was met with unfavorable critiques.
Decline and dissolution
After more live performances and independent releases failed to sustain momentum, the band’s commercial success waned and WEA dropped them following a poorly received second label album. Internal tensions grew due to frontman Biggie Tembo’s increasing media focus; he was dismissed in 1990 after an incident at Harare airport. Without Tembo’s songwriting and vocal contributions, both critical acclaim and audience support diminished.
Three members—David Mankaba (died 1991), Shepherd Munyama (died 1992), and Shakespear Kangwena (died 1993)—passed away from AIDS-related illnesses.
Tembo endeavored to revive his career through collaboration with Bristol’s Startled Insects but without success. Returning to Zimbabwe in the early 1990s, he recorded two albums at Shed Studios—Baba of Jit and Out of Africa—which remained incomplete and unreleased due to unpaid studio fees. Later afflicted by depression, Tembo embraced Christianity before dying by suicide in a psychiatric facility in 1995.
Despite declining revenues, the band produced two additional albums; manager Muir exited amid financial disputes and sold the Kensal Rise property in 1996. Surviving members claimed they received little benefit from the sale proceeds; Muir denied any profits existed. The group disbanded in 2000 after bassist Washington Kavhai was incarcerated in the UK for aggravated assault.
In 2001, Shed Studios issued The Shed Sessions, a compilation encompassing all Zimbabwe recordings by the band licensed to Gordon Muir for UK distribution. This album remains accessible on digital platforms including iTunes and Spotify.
Current status
Following his divorce, guitarist Rise Kagona moved to Scotland, where he chronicled the band's legacy. He also performed across northern England and Scotland with Rise Kagona and the Jit Jive Band. His collaborations include co-writing and providing vocals on "She Told You So" from Ben Avison's 2013 album Good Day Mr. Magpie, as well as working alongside Doug Veitch on the 2007 release Tanzwa Nekutambura. Rise Kagona died in Scotland on September 17, 2024, at the age of 62.
As of 2007, Kuda Matimba resided in London and led the ensemble Harare, which he established in 2005 together with Kenny Chitsvatsva. At that time, he had lost contact with Rise Kagona.
Moyo Tembo, son of Biggie Tembo, created The Chinhoyi Superstars and launched their first single "Woiteyiko". Another son of Biggie Tembo, Biggie Tembo Jr., released his debut album titled Rwendo in 2010 but was later convicted of assault in 2015.
Discography
Releases from Shed Studios in Zimbabwe – Engineered by Bothwell Nyamhondera:
- Une Shuwa Here (Rugare, 1982)
- Kuroja Chete (Rugare, 1983)
Shed Studios releases – Produced and engineered by Stephen Roskilly:
- Kumbirayi (Rugare, 1983)
- Zvichatinetsa (Rugare, 1983)
- Pachedu (Rugare, 1983)
- Chekudya Chose (Rugare, 1983)
- Nhai Mukoma (Rugare, 1983)
- Hupenyu Hwangu (Rugare, 1983)
- Faka Puresha (Rugare, 1984)
- Wakandiparadzisa Musha (Rugare, 1984)
- Shabhini (Rugare, 1984)
- Ziva Kwawakabva (Rugare, 1984)
- Ndipo Mari Yangu (Rugare, 1984)
- Wakasikitei Satani (Rugare, 1984)
- Dai Ndakaziva (Rugare, 1984)
- Wehamo Haaneti (Rugare, 1984)
- Zvandinetsa (Rugare, 1984)
- Pendeke (Rugare, 1984)
- Hatisitose (Rugare, 1984)
- Vakaparei (Rugare, 1984)
- Baba Munini Francis (Rugare, 1984)
- Wafungeyiko (Rugare, 1984)
- Tsvimbodzemoto (Rugare, 1985)
- Manhenga (Rugare, 1985)
- Simbimbino (Rugare, 1985)
- Kupedza Muto (Rugare, 1985)
- Chimanimani (Rugare, 1985)
- Zvandinetsa (Rugare, 1986)
- Muchihwa (Rugare, 1986)
Discafrique releases in the UK under Shed Studios license:
- Shabini (DiscAfrique, Afril02, 1986)
- Tsvimbodzemoto (DiscAfrique, Afrilp03, 1987)
Warner Brothers UK releases:
- True Jit (WEA 242203-2, 1987)
- Pamberi (WEA, 1989)
Independent releases in the UK:
- Live at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut (DiscAfrique, Afrilp007, 1990)
- Friends on the Road’’ (Cooking Vinyl, 1993), featuring Latin Quarter and Hank Wangford
- ’’Muchiyedza’’ (Cooking Vinyl, 1997)
Gordon Muir's UK release licensed from Shed Studios:
- ’’The Shed Sessions’’ (Sadza, 2001)
Contributions as an artist:
- The Rough Guide to the Music of Zimbabwe, World Music Network, 1996
Band members
- Kenny Chitsvatsva – drums; lead and backing vocals
- David Mankaba – bass guitar; lead and backing vocals (deceased 1991)
- Rise Kagona – guitar; lead and backing vocals (deceased 2024)
- Biggie Tembo – guitar; lead and backing vocals (deceased 1995)
- Shakespear ("Shakie") Kangwena – keyboard; lead and backing vocals (deceased 1993)
- Shepherd Munyama – bass guitar; replaced David Mankaba (deceased 1992)
- Washington Kavhai – bass guitar; vocals; succeeded Shepherd Munyama
- Kuda Matimba – keyboard; vocals; succeeded Shakespear Kangwena