Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi (born in 1952 in Highfield, Harare) is a Zimbabwean musician, one of the most beloved performers from that country. He began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band which featured Zimbabwean legend Thomas Mapfumo. Their single, "Dzandimomotera," went gold and Tuku's first album followed, and it was also a major success. Mtukudzi is also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa's 'supergroup'
His husky voice has made him the most recognized voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and has earned him a devoted following across Africa and beyond. A member of Zimbabwe's KoreKore tribe he sings in the nation's dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English. He also incorporates elements of different musical traditions giving his music a distinctive "Tuku Music" style.
WATCH TUKU PERFORM AT BBC STUDIOS IN LONDON
Unlike Mapfumo, Mtukudzi has refrained from directly criticizing the repressive government of President Robert Mugabe, perhaps because he still lives in the country. However, some of his most emotive hits prodded the aging authoritarian ruler, including "Ndakuvara," which bemoans the political violence engineered by Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and "Wasakara (You Are Getting Old)," which most Zimbabweans took as a direct plea for Mugabe to retire.
He is a father of five children and has two grandchildren, two of them are also musicians. He has four sisters and a brother who died. He enjoys swimming in his guitar shaped swimming pool, has released more than 40 albums and cannot remember the number of awards he won.
Oliver Mtukudzi Albums
* 1978 Ndipeiwo Zano (Re-released 2000)
* 1979 Chokwadi Chichabuda
* 1979 Muroi Ndiani?
* 1980 Africa (Re-released 2000)
* 1981 Shanje
* 1981 Pfambi
* 1982 Maungira
* 1982 Please Ndapota
* 1983 Nzara
* 1983 Oliver's Greatest Hits
* 1984 Hwema Handirase
* 1985 Mhaka
* 1986 Gona
* 1986 Zvauya Sei?
* 1987 Wawona
* 1988 Nyanga Yenzou
* 1988 Strange, Isn't It?
* 1988 Sugar Pie
* 1989 Grandpa Story
* 1990 Chikonzi
* 1990 Pss Pss Hallo!
* 1990 Shoko
* 1991 Mutorwa
* 1992 Rombe
* 1992 Rumbidzai Jehova
* 1992 Neria Soundtrack
* 1993 Son of Africa
* 1994 Ziwere MuKobenhavn
* 1995 Was My Child
* 1995 The Other Side: Live in Switzerland
* 1997 Ndega Zvangu (Re-released 2001)
* 1998 Dzangu Dziye
* 1999 Tuku Music
* 2000 Paivepo
* 2001 Neria
* 2001 Bvuma (Tolerance)
* 2002 Shanda sountrack
* 2002 Vhunze Moto
* 2003 Shanda
* 2003 Tsivo (Revenge)
* 2004 Greatest Hits Tuku Years
* 2004 Mtukudzi Collection 1991-1997
* 2004 Mtukudzi Collection 1984-1991
* 2005 Nhava
* 2006 Wonai
* 2007 Tsimba Itsoka
* 2008 (anticipated release) Dairai (Believe)