By Sharon Muguwu
HARARE – Death has been lurking in the local music industry with the loss of Tongai Moyo, Jimmy Jimalo, Cephas Mashakada and now young blood TBA the Playboy. Sipho-Senkosi Mkuhlani, TBA as he was affectionately known in the music circles died on Sunday in South Africa in a car accident.
TBA was a producer for the Chamhembe Music stable and also Nox Guni and Alishas Musimbe Maskiri’s producer. He is the producer of the song Wenera by Nox, Maskiri and Chagwa Black currently rocking the airwaves. Nox confirmed the death of the young producer describing it as a loss to the industry.
“TBA the Playboy passed on around 1750hrs on Sunday after spending the whole day on life support due to a fatal car crash that took place on Sunday morning around 0500hrs at Schuman & R55. His fiancée Theresa died on the spot,” he said. He was travelling with six other people who include Nox but they managed to escape with minor injuries.
He was coming from his first album launch when the fatal accident took place. “We will continue from where he left off and put into practice what he taught us. Our prayers are with both families and may the Almighty heal their hearts. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. Once again Zimbabwe has been robbed of a very valuable asset,” he said.
An upcoming urban grooves artist Eddy G said he was deeply hurt by the death as he was working with TBA.
“TBA was more than just a hero to the urban grooves movement. He had been with the movement since the first days and played a great role in taking us to the level we are now. What hurts me most now is that I knew TBA when I wanted to venture into the industry, I dreamt that someday he would be making my music. Just when I had negotiated with him, on a three-quarter done deal the heavens have decided to pull him out,” he said.
TBA is known for his great work including kick-starting urban grooves in 2001 at That Squad Studios. Joe Machingura a producer at the Heshi Mfeshi studios expressed hurt and disappointed at the death. “It is the biggest loss in the history of the urban grooves movement. He was the pioneer. TBA made urban grooves music what it is today and this is such a shock and loss to us,” he said.
He has worked with a number or artists including Roki, Stunner, Nox, Ngoni, Maskiri, Honey Vibes, Diana, XQ, Tererai, Cindy, Shaynedingz, Jerry and many more. He is the producer of songs that rocked the airwaves that include Wakaenda (Ngoni), Suzana (Roki), Zverudo (Maskiri) and others. Burial arrangements are yet to be announced. To visit the Daily News website click here