Zimbabwean Jazz Singer, Songwriter and Performer Eve Kawadza released her official video to her latest single titled ‘Mari Yangu’.
Visually, the video lacks the crisp and sharp elements closely associated with many a high budget Zimbabwean Music Video today (thank goodness for DSLR cameras!) but for what ‘Mari Yangu’ lacks it replenishes in depth and context. Mari Yangu directed by Nico Abote supported by Ted Courage Lazaro is stripped down and is minus the bells and whistles giving it a chance to delve straight into the issue at hand – painting a gut-wrenching and familiar life situation awfully relatable to the everyday Zimbabwean. The key protagonists are a young black-blue collar couple trying to make ends meet. The video does well to visualise the lyrics of the Oskid Produced Jazz single. It features a grand amount of contemporary dance from the acclaimed Mcintosh Jerahuni of Tumbuka Dance Company fame. The theatrics are just the right amount, not too exaggerated and neither too bland although I do wish we could have seen a little more of the enigma we know Eve possesses on stage reflected in the video; regardless her vocals were as a cool breeze to a hot humid summer day, cool, sultry and uplifting. Eve Kawadza certainly knows how to seize the doek, I loved the Afrocentric bright and bold appeal to her wardrobe courtesy of Haus of Stone.
Mari Yangu is a beautiful song little on the words, consistent in melody, the video reflects an difficult yet real Zimbabwean present but it offers the gift of a happy ending where love conquers all.
Watch it below and share your thoughts.
