Charles Charamba
Charles Charamba (born 27 April 1971) is a Zimbabwean gospel musician and a pastor in the Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Zimbabwe. Charamba's albums have been the top selling gospel music in Zimbabwe since the early 2000s.[1][2][3] He has toured both Great Britain and the United States, and throughout southern Africa.[4] One of Charamba's most famous songs is “Machira Chete”.[2][5] His wife, Olivia (née Maseko), is also a gospel singer, and appears with him on stage and on his albums; they are often called the "First Family of Gospel".[6]
Early life and education
Charamba was born in Mudzi District, which is now in Mashonaland East Province.[4] He attended Masarakufa Primary School and Masarakufa Secondary School in Mudzi, completing his O-Levels.[4] In 1998, Charamba began his studies at the Living Waters Bible College in Tynwald, Harare, where he received his bachelor's degree in theology.[4] Well after his rise to gospel music stardom, he returned to college and in 2011 received a "National Certificate in Music" from the Zimbabwe College of Music.[4] In 2013, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in jazz from Africa University.[7]
Fraud charges
In August 2004, Charamba along with his banker Sebastian Mupa at the Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe (Agribank) were charged with fraud in the execution of a $40 million loan,[8] bail was eventually set at $1 million.[9] However, after further investigation the charges were dropped.[10]
Music
Charamba's gospel music contains elements of sungura, jazz and jit.[4][11] It can be laid back, or vivid with traditional beats such as mbakumba and mhande.[12]
Originally Charamba recorded on the Gramma Label. But after gaining sufficient capital, he built his own studio and began putting his albums out under his own label "Fishers of Men".[13]
Songs
Charamba's hit songs include:[4][5]
- “Machira Chete”
- “Sarudzai”,
- “Masimba Ndeenyu”,
- “Kumakomo Uko”,
- “Handidi Naye”,
- “Tauya Kuzomutenda”.
- "Buruka"
- "Nyika
- "Mhinduro Iripo"
the calling of desciples
Albums
Charamba's albums include:[3][4][14]
- Tinashe Akatendeka in 1997 (first album)
- Johanne 3:16 in 1998
- Exodus in 2001
- Sunday Service in 2003
- Verses and Chapters 2004
- Daily Bread in 2002
- New Testament On Song in 2007
- Pashoko Pangoma in 2010
- Wenazareta in 2014[15]
Notes
- ^ "Top Album: Fishers of Men". New Music Weekly (ZimAudio). 6 October 2006. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Pirates haunt Charamba . . . as fake album hits the streets". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Chikova, Lovemore (2015). "1990-2000: Emergence of 'sungura' gospel music". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe: Zimpapers (Pvt) Ltd. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h Zindi, Fred (3 October 2011). "Let Charamba be an inspiration to many". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Pastor Charamba fumes at King Shaddy". Real Zim News Magazine. 17 December 2013. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Charambas off to Hwange, Vic Falls". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. 10 October 2012. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Charles Charamba graduates". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. 30 July 2013. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Gospel singer Charamba held in $40 million fraud probe". New Zimbabwe News. Harare, Zimbabwe. 2003. Archived from the original on 6 December 2004.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Bail set at $1m for gospel musician Charamba". New Zimbabwe News. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 1 September 2004.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Attorney General stops Charamba prosecution". New Zimbabwe News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Sibanda, Maxwell (15 January 2012). "Our music knows no boundaries: Charambas". The Daily News. Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Pastor Charles and Olivia Charamba". Apostolic Faith Mission In Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Latest Must Have For Zim Musicians: Studio". The Financial Gazette. Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Khosa, Trust (26 June 2009). "Gospel supremo releases sub standard album". Zimbabwe Online Press. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Charamba's new album finally out". New Zimbabwe News. 30 August 2014. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
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