by Gideon Madzikatidze
HARARE – Chimurenga musician, Kurai Makore responded to legal pressure with maturity on Friday night, staging an all-original set at ‘Fill Up HICC’ days after his uncle, Thomas Mukanya Mapfumo, broke his silence on their intellectual property dispute.
For the first time Mukanya has publicly commented since Chimurenga Music Company issued a ‘cease and desist notice barring his nephew from performing Mapfumo’s songs. The notice was also sent to promoters and venue owners, warning they “will face the music” if Kurai plays the disputed catalogue.
Rather than address the feud on stage, Makore opted for professionalism. He performed only his own compositions, a decision fans and critics hailed as refined.
The crowd endorsed him as a leading voice of modern chimurenga, with many calling him the rightful heir to the genre should Mapfumo exit the industry. His signature chimurenga sound, rooted in original material, drew standing ovations throughout the night.
Feli Nandi also delivered an exceptional headline set. Both artistes paused to pay tribute to victims of the recent Kariba Mbuya Nehanda ferry tragedy, observing a moment of reflection for bereaved families.
Industry watchers say Makore’s decision to avoid confrontation has strengthened his standing as a main contender in chimurenga music. The dispute now shifts to promoters and venues, who face potential legal action if Kurai is booked and performs Mapfumo’s songs going forward.