Mashombe – KING of Tonga ‘Kalindula’ Music – Gone To Rest
By Matongo Maumbi
Sad to learn of the passing of Nebert Mashombe, the founder and leader of Mashombe Blue Jeans aka MBJ. Nebert died Monday morning after an illness. He will be remembered for his traditional musical style and for reintroducing Kalindula music to the Southern Province.
Nebert Mashombe started his music career in the mid 1980s. My encounter with him springs back to the early 2000s during the all Tonga Music Festival at Chikuni Radio
He’s a soft-spoken man, shy but once at the helm of his band with the singing, he traversed various aspects of social life. His stardom went up when, with the support of Chikuni Radio, produced albums for people’s consumption and entertainment. His music was already making hits on radio and demand grew from the people of southern province and beyond. Any broadcaster that went on air would want to play some MBJ.
Interestingly enough though, is that Mashombe Blue Jeans played Kalindula, which was alien to Southern Province. However, their use of locally made instruments with a traditional infusion made people realize that culture is indeed dynamic. Kalindula was no longer seen as a music genre from the Northern part of Zambia. It came to stay in Southern Province.
His music was mainly about family matters, bringing to light divisive issues and those that bring unity. His music appeals to various sectors of society.
His albums were selling extremely well, he was Kalindula champion at the Tonga music festival, won Ngoma Award and several other accolades. As others have argued, he IS the king of Kalindula music in Southern Province.
There came a time when young and upcoming musicians started emulating MBJ’s style of artistry. The music of MBJ was THE music. Full of entertainment but with serious message to the people. Music championing social change.
He advocated for issues such as intestate succession, HIV/AIDS, death, religion, and romance. He at one time even produced an album in other Zambian languages.
Each time he produced an album, people would say it would take a long time for him to produce another hit. He took feedback seriously. Took his time to compose and arrange his music, such that when he produced the next album, there would be a hit song. “You are not going to produce another hit” people would say over and over.
Having done so well in the music festival, the public then demanded that he becomes a guest artiste to the event as they felt that he had no equal to much his prowess in the Kalindula style, and infusion of traditional instruments. Though he did not always come out first, he earned enough respect.
Most musicians are declared legends after they pass on, but with Nebert he enjoyed this acclaim while he was alive. He was a model to a number of musicians in the province who are now taking the music to another level.
I thank Nebert Mashombe for his great contribution to the (Tonga) music industry. I glad to have been a part of his journey. Listening to Kabalwebalwe Bana ba Leza…..
(These are my thoughts from my interaction with Nebert for over 20years)