Sam Mtukudzi had a premonition of his death, unreleased recordings reveal

The late Sam Mtukudzi (RIP)

The late Oliver Mtukudzi's son, Samson foretold his tragic death two months before he died in January 2010.

Popularly known as Sam, he wrote  and recorded a song bidding farewell to his parents.

Titled "Rwendo Rwauya", the song - whose title and lyrics would soon prove prophetic - is part of a 14-track posthumous album "Misiirwa", set for release this Friday at the Sam Mtukudzi Tribute Concert at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton.

Sings Sam in his distinct boyish voice in the six-year-old recording

"Rwendo rwangu rwauya amai ndoenda, baba batai nepapo baba wee-e. Mbuva Yangu ndarongedza musanditeere, musanditeere. . ."

Sunday Mail reported that unlike the other 24 unreleased songs that were lumped together in a folder on Sam's computer, "Rwendo Rwauya", was tucked away in its own folder, the song itself, carrying just that one verse and a variety of instruments to accompany the predictive lyrics.

Said his father,  "This is a direct message to me and the mother (daisy). Sam was a great composer, a great writer, a talented boy. He could have said more but he didn't. That verse is all he sang," said a sombre Mtukudzi.

"Many people may wonder why it took me six years to release these songs, let alone take time to celebrate Sam the way we are doing now. The truth is I never enjoyed listening to his stuff after he died. Listening to his voice was a pain."

"The day that he gave me the master copy of the album to listen, the day after, that is when he died," said Tuku.

"This year in January, that is when I gathered enough courage to open the folders and listen to his music. And I said, well, let's let the people know. 

We are fighting very hard to let it (Sam's death) go. But anga asiri mwana wedu tega. Just last month, I received his Honorary Award from Churchill High School. The kids there, what they said about him, the speeches, he meant a lot to them".

Source: Sunday Mail