Sungura Musician First Farai falls on hard times

First Farai

Controversial sungura musician First Farai’s music career has taken a backseat amid revelations that his group Hurudza Express has disbanded.

A source close to the singer said the musician well-known for imitating the late sungura maestro Tongai Moyo is finding it tough in the music industry.

“He likes music, but it appears the odds are heavily stacked against him because he is struggling to hold shows,” said the source. “I don’t think his group is still around.”

First Farai’s last album, Fantastic Farai Ubwada was released in 2013, since thEn the singer took a sabbatical, claiming that live shows were not paying due to the economic situation in the country.

However, on Thursday he rubbished the reports insisting that he was working on a new project.

“I am in the studio working on my forthcoming album. I wanted to release the album this month, but I had to postpone because Mukoma Macheso is releasing his,” he said.

“First Farai and Hurudza Express are still intact and we are doing live shows. Whoever told you that I am finished lied to you. The night Jah Prayzah performed in Chitungwiza; I had earlier on performed in Norton.”

Born Aliya Mwanambo, First Farai said he was recording his six-track album at Jah Prayzah’s JP Studios. “I am working with one young man at JZ Studios and it seems he understands museve [sungura beat] very well,” he said.

The musician who made a grand entrance into the music industry with the track Secret Number off his debut album Simba Nacho, has had a career riddled with controversy.

In 2011, the burly musician was accused of stealing condolence money at Cephas Mashada’s funeral and early last year he spent a weekend behind bars after he assaulted a fan during a show in Hwedza.

Source-Standard