From the cocoon of Urban Grooves in early 2000s Zimbabwe, burst out RnB, pop and hip hop, from the unique viewpoint of the country. As these urban genres rose to prominence in the 2010s, Takura's debut solo album, Someone Had To Do It (SHTDi), arrived as a defining project of that era. Principally hip hop and RnB, it was the establishment of Takura's legacy, Zim hip hop's Christ The Redeemer if albums were honoured with statues.
Now 6 years after the fact, having given up music multiple times but still unable to stay away, the star of Zimbabwe's urban music has returned as a pariah. An outcast. Embracing a new stage name, Shona Prince, which had long been his moniker, Takura is once again bearing his soul through music. Delivering a blend of sound that combines Afro RnB and hip hop, with an unrivalled ear for melodies, the singer has once again found himself. Let the white smoke billow from the chimney of Zimbabwe's urban music.
Unmarketed and devoid of any rollout beyond an Instagram post, Pariah was first to announce the Shona Prince's renaissance. Although the album title was rather dark and ominous, the music was still that of a hopeless romantic. Almost without imperfection, the 14 track project easily won hearts with tracks like "Blaz vebhosvo," "Sorry After Sorry" and "Ramba Zvako." Now 4 months later, the singer has followed it up with a part 2.
Pariah (Deluxe) might be an extension of the album that preceded it in subject matter, but as far as the music goes, it's an entirely new project. While Pariah revels in genre bending soundscapes, Pariah (Deluxe) is RnB purest form and herein lies it's brilliance. At it's heart it's still sees Takura on a journey to find himself. In some instances it feels like we're privy to the singer's therapy session.
Sprinkled with conversations on grief, identity, fame and relationships, at the beginning of multiple songs, Pariah (Deluxe) feels even more intimate than it's prequel. This is both a work of it's songwriting and an added soulful layer to the Shona Prince's vocal performance.
The singer once again collaborates with Zim Praise on the opener, and the gospel propelled "First Love" ushers in the project with a beautiful expression of faith. In both Pariah and Pariah (Deluxe), Takura's faith is the object that grounds him, the beacon that has allowed him to find himself again.
Pariah (Deluxe) is a breath of fresh air, yet still familiar. The album is modern and in the moment but pays homage to the past in both sound and storytelling. On "Kwakadaro" Takura expresses his disbelief at catching feelings over an 80s pop influenced instrumental, while "Chipo" is grief in song, dedicated to a girl from Takura's past. This feeling of loss - loss of a loved one, loss of friends, relationships, opportunities - is an underlying current throughout the project.
"No Regrets" has reflections on past mistakes over a production inspired by RnB from the 2000s and it is Takura at his most vulnerable. He speaks on his successes, failures and even thoughts of suicide: "Toured the world with 5 songs from an EP he created... Ask me about my favourite people, they are only 4/God took 2 of them, so dying wouldn't be bad at all."
While Takura delivers brilliantly composed songs on his own, the album's shining stars are the collaborations. The heartfelt profession of love with dancehall influences "100 Reasons" which features Delroy Shewe, the infectious Afrobeats laced "CTL" with UK rapper Ayo Beatz, the meeting of rap and pop "Singing In The Crowd" featuring Meekah Blue, and the vibrant and catchy "Tikango Danana" with the last Urban Groover standing - ExQ.
The songwriting is memorable, the production more than holds it's own and the music simply flows from one track into the next. Satisfying even the more technical aspects of a project, in case how the music makes you feel isn't enough to convince you of it's brilliance.
Pariah (Deluxe) is in depth, self reflective, and looks at love with both rose and pain tinted glasses. The story of an outsider looking in. A flawed human who sometimes fails to see where he fits. The story of Takura and his journey until here. An album time will definitely be kind to.
Greedysouth rating: 8.5/10
Enjoyed reading this news report? Support Greedysouth by buying the team a cup of coffee. Your support assists in the production of such quality reports. Thank you.