I’ve lost my privacy — Jah Prayzah

By Vasco Chaya and Sharon Muguwu

HARARE – Afro-fusion musician Jah Prayzah’s latest album Jerusarema has brought him fame and fortune but in the process he has lost his privacy.

The country’s current favourite musician told the Daily News on Sunday at his new offices in Belvedere that he misses window shopping in the bustling streets of Harare thanks to his popularity that has been taken new heights by his latest album.

“I really miss moving around the streets of Harare doing my shopping in broad daylight. I used to enjoy moving around downtown Harare looking at shop displays and the stuff on sale. I really love window shopping but it’s difficult for me now,” he said.

The Tsviriyo hit maker said it is now impossible for him to shop in the central business district because whenever he has doneso, he has been swarmed and overwhelmed by multitudes of his fans.

“Fans jostle for photo shoots with me and if the situation is not controlled it gets chaotic and I don’t want to create crowd trouble,” said the Uzumba-born artiste.

The serial hit maker added that he has now been forced to shop in tranquil upmarket business centres such as Westgate and Sam Levy’s Village in Borrowdale.

“I don’t enjoy shopping in these upmarket shopping centres but I am being forced by the situation. I love to shop where most people shop but unfortunately I can’t do it anymore. I miss shopping in the hustle and bustle of Harare.

“Not that I am complaining about the fans, not at all! To be where I am it is because of the fans. It just goes on to show that many people appreciate me and my talent.

“Where and who would I be if they did not support me? I love my fans and I owe them a lot,” he said.

Even though Jah Prayzah can no longer move around central Harare incognito, the music star is obviously not complaining about the thousands of dollars coming into his wallet every week thanks to the popularity of Jerusarema.

The Daily News on Sunday saw several cars owned by band members parked at Jah Prayzah’s office.

“Almost everyone here now drives. It is a good development on our part of the band it shows that we are getting something out of our labour,” said the Eriza hit-maker.

Jah Prayzah, who drives a new Mercedes Benz, attempted to downplay reports that his band is raking in $60 000 every month.

“Yes reports say that, The Third Generation rakes in about $5 000 from Friday to Sunday but this is not always the case because sometimes we take home about $1 500,” he said.

Meanwhile, the red-hot artiste revealed production of the Jerusarema DVD was on course

“I will add few new songs on the DVD like what I did on Kumbumura Mhute. It is my wish to release a state-of-the-art DVD and I am prepared to part with a few thousands of dollars to make this product one to cherish.

“I am planning to shoot one of the videos in Botswana. On the song Roots I collaborated with Luciano, chances are high that we will shoot the video in Jamaica. My intention is to contract a production house in the United States of America to do the DVD,” he said.

Hit songs on Jerusarema expected to power the forthcoming DVD include Chinamira, Eriza and the title track.

Jah Prayzah shot to fame on the strength of his second album Sungano Yerudo in 2009 which had such hits as Lisa, Ruva Rerudo and Ndakusuwa.

The Uzumba-born, nicknamed  “Longman” by his legion of fans owing to his height, has six albums under his belt namely  Rudo Nerunyararo ,Sungano Yerudo, Ngwarira Kuparara , Tsviriyo, Kumbumura Mhute and the latest Jerusarema. Daily News