HARARE - F time national arts merit award-winning gospel musician Blessing Shumba is set to release his latest album Shongwe on Monday but already unscrupulous dealers are cashing in on a fake album titled Munotichengeta — Blessing Shumba 2012.

Munotichengeta was released recently under the name of Shumba and is reportedly doing well on the market.
Speaking to the Daily News, Shumba blasted the unscrupulous dealers for riding on his fame and urged people to buy CDs from authorised dealers.

“The music on this CD Munotichengeta is not bad but it is not mine.

“I am currently playing the CD in my car and this is a very disturbing development.

“I used to have a soft spot on these pirates but now I strongly support anti-piracy campaigns.

“I advise my fans to buy my CD from official record bars and shops to avoid buying fake CDs.

“There are budget CDs which go for only $2,” said the Mufaro singer.

Shumba’s forthcoming album Shongwe which was adapted from Exodus 14:19 is expected on the market on Monday and this is going to be his third album.

Shumba is not the first musician to stumble upon his fake album in the streets but also Douglas Chimbetu and Alick Macheso among others.

Most Zimbabweans are enamoured with Shumba’s music because of the originality, soul-touching and uniqueness it has as compared to conventional gospel which Zimbabweans are used to.

Shumba made an impact in the showbiz circuit after his heart-stopping song Mufaro from the award-winning album NdiMwari which came second in the Radio Zimbabwe Coca-Cola Pimped Up and Ride Top 50 songs at an event held in Harare.

The 31-year-old artiste cut a niche in music at a tender age singing in church choirs before taking part in the family accapella group called Vakushi Veshoko of Tumai Mweya fame in his home town Mutare in 2002.

Born in Buhera, Shumba is married to Pauline Chipakatira and they are blessed with two sets of twins — three boys and a girl. - Vasco Chaya