Solomon Skuza
Encyclopedia
Solomon Skuza also known as Jah Solo was a Zimbabwe
an musician
, one of the most popular to come out of Plumtree
. In addition to his native Kalanga
, he wrote lyrics in Ndebele
, Shona
and English
as well. Other popular Kalanga musicians include Nduna Malaba(Ndux Malax), Ndolwane Super Sounds, Mokis Connection and Solomons brother Chase Skuza.
, Solomon Skuza rose to prominence as one of Zimbabwe's top musicians. As with many Zimbabwe
an artists, Solomon's inspiration grew from his time in the army. Joining the liberation struggle, he moved to Zambia
in the early 70s to train at rebel bases. By 1975 he was playing in army bands and entertaining soldiers at ZIPRA
camps. A later injury had him transferred to the entertainment corps where he cut his teeth as a composer and bandleader.
In 1980 Solomon returned to Zimbabwe
and produced an immediate hit, as his single Banolila sold over 75 000 copies. His 1990 album, Love and Scandals, was a commercial and critical success, due to its political content regarding the Mugabe
government's Willowgate Scandal of the time.
Solomon Skuza was backed by bands such as Fallen Heroes. He released Zihlangene Vol. 1 and Zihlangene Vol. 2 compilation albums which cover his earlier and later hits, respectively. Solomon sang in his native Kalanga and both Ndebele
, English and Shona.
In 1990 he did a soundtrack, Patimile for the Zimbabwean film Jit.
Solomon died in 1995 in both poor health and poverty.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, one of the most popular to come out of Plumtree
Plumtree, Zimbabwe
Plumtree, Zimbabwe is a town in Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe, close to the border to Botswana. It is the local administrative centre. It sits at an altitude of 1280 metres on the watershed between the Limpopo river and the Nata river that drains into Okavango to the north. The annual rainfall is...
. In addition to his native Kalanga
Kalanga
Kalanga may refer to:* BaKalanga people* Kalanga language* Kalanga, Togo...
, he wrote lyrics in Ndebele
Northern Ndebele language
The Northern Ndebele language, isiNdebele, or Ndebele is an African language belonging to the Nguni group of Bantu languages, and spoken by the Ndebele or Matabele people of Zimbabwe. It is commonly known as Sindebele....
, Shona
Shona language
Shona is a Bantu language, native to the Shona people of Zimbabwe and southern Zambia; the term is also used to identify peoples who speak one of the Shona language dialects: Zezuru, Karanga, Manyika, Ndau and Korekore...
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as well. Other popular Kalanga musicians include Nduna Malaba(Ndux Malax), Ndolwane Super Sounds, Mokis Connection and Solomons brother Chase Skuza.
Biography
Born in 1956 in PlumtreePlumtree, Zimbabwe
Plumtree, Zimbabwe is a town in Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe, close to the border to Botswana. It is the local administrative centre. It sits at an altitude of 1280 metres on the watershed between the Limpopo river and the Nata river that drains into Okavango to the north. The annual rainfall is...
, Solomon Skuza rose to prominence as one of Zimbabwe's top musicians. As with many Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an artists, Solomon's inspiration grew from his time in the army. Joining the liberation struggle, he moved to Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
in the early 70s to train at rebel bases. By 1975 he was playing in army bands and entertaining soldiers at ZIPRA
ZIPRA
Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army was the armed wing of the Zimbabwe African People's Union, a political party in Rhodesia. It participated in the Second Chimurenga against white minority rule in the former Rhodesia....
camps. A later injury had him transferred to the entertainment corps where he cut his teeth as a composer and bandleader.
In 1980 Solomon returned to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
and produced an immediate hit, as his single Banolila sold over 75 000 copies. His 1990 album, Love and Scandals, was a commercial and critical success, due to its political content regarding the Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
government's Willowgate Scandal of the time.
Solomon Skuza was backed by bands such as Fallen Heroes. He released Zihlangene Vol. 1 and Zihlangene Vol. 2 compilation albums which cover his earlier and later hits, respectively. Solomon sang in his native Kalanga and both Ndebele
Northern Ndebele language
The Northern Ndebele language, isiNdebele, or Ndebele is an African language belonging to the Nguni group of Bantu languages, and spoken by the Ndebele or Matabele people of Zimbabwe. It is commonly known as Sindebele....
, English and Shona.
In 1990 he did a soundtrack, Patimile for the Zimbabwean film Jit.
Solomon died in 1995 in both poor health and poverty.