Leonard Mapfumo - Biography, Career and Albums

Fortune Samuel | July 25, 2024 | Biography | No Comments

Leonard Mapfumo (born January 30, 1983) is a hip-hop artist from Harare, Zimbabwe. He's been active since 2000 and is known as one of the pioneers of Zimbabwean urban music, with four number-one hits on the national charts.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Mapfumo was born in Highfields, a busy area in Harare. At age 11, his family moved to Mbare, another crowded part of the city. He went to Kudzanai Primary School and then to Mount Pleasant High School.

He started recording and performing music right after finishing high school in 1999. His first big hit was the song “Seiko,” featuring Rockford Josphat (Roki), which topped the charts in 2000.

In 2005, he released his first album, "R & L," with Roki. The album was a big success, especially the song “Maidei,” which made him a major name in Zimbabwean music. “Maidei” stayed at number one on the charts for 42 weeks, setting a record.

In the early years of his career, Mapfumo toured all over Zimbabwe.

Career Achievements

In 2007, Mapfumo released his second album and first solo work, "Namapfumo," and founded his own studio, Heshi Mfeshi. The album was a hit, with singles "Mvura" and "Chiuya," the former reaching the top of the national charts. He toured Zimbabwe extensively to promote the album.

In 2010, he released "The Journey," which included the song "Two Chete," his fourth number-one single. The album was released in South Africa by Blue Diamond Record Company. He promoted the album with tours in South Africa and Mozambique, performing in Cape Town, East London, Johannesburg, and Manica.

In 2012, Mapfumo released his fourth album, "The Road to Israel," featuring tracks like "Ndoita Manyemwe," "Chititi," and "One Step at a Time." These songs topped local charts, with "Ndoita Manyemwe" reaching number one. That year, he toured the UK, performing in Coventry and London.

In 2015, he toured China, performing in Chengdu, Tianjin, and Beijing at the National Center of the Performing Arts. In 2016, he released his fifth album, "Access Point 414317," with the single "Skiri Rebasa" becoming popular on local radio. He also performed in the UAE, Hong Kong, and mainland China.

Currently, Leonard Mapfumo works with Jacaranda Culture and Media Cooperation in talent searching, grooming, and creating job opportunities for young people. Through the Dreamstar project, he helps young people find employment in Zimbabwe and China via the Sino-Zim Cultural Exchange Program. He is also an ambassador for Dance4Life, a youth organization addressing HIV and AIDS issues.