Thomas Mapfumo

Known as the "Lion of Zimbabwe," Thomas Mapfumo has been giving voice to the people of his country for over three decades. Born in the rural village of Marondera, his music grew out of a fusion of local and global influences—blending the traditional folk music of his tribe with the R&B roots of musicians like Otis Redding.

Mr. Mapfumo came of age at a time when politics permeated all aspects of daily life—Zimbabwe's independence movement—and the struggle deeply influenced his music. In what was then the British colony of Rhodesia, Mr. Mafumo's lyrics tackled the injustices of apartheid, racism and colonialism. His songs of protest, performed in his native language on traditional instruments, gave birth to a new genre of music—Chimurenga music (from the Shona word for "struggle").

Mr. Mapfumo's use of music as a form of social justice persisted after independence, when he continued to address the everyday challenges faced by Zimbabweans from corruption to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Since the 1980s, Mr. Mapfumo has been outspoken in his critiques of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's leader, which has earned him a ban from the country's airwaves.

Honored as 1999 Artist of the Year by the American World Music Awards, Mr. Mapfumo was named Zimbabwe's Person of the Century in the Arts in 2000. After over thirty albums, his music continues to evolve, adapting to the struggles of the times.

Mr. Mapfumo lives in self-imposed exile in the U.S. with his family and his band, Blacks Unlimited, where they continue to produce Chimurenga music. To this day in Zimbabwe, his albums sell out days after they are released.