By Edward Makuzva
Since bursting into the limelight in 2011, Best Masinire has churned out stellar albums year after year. In 2018 he premiered the DVD album Yanaya, which carries four videos, Yanaya, Rooted in the word, Better and Vakatedzei.
Best “Mukundi” Masinire (28) was born on 6 March 1991 at Harare Hospital and is a gospel musician from Kuwadzana in Harare, Zimbabwe. His music message includes praise, worship and social commentary based on the word of God and his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Musical journey
Masanire started singing at a tender age. He wrote his first song whilst in Grade Six at Kuwadzana 8 Primary school.
In 2011, a year after finishing his upper six studies, Masinire together with his friends formed an Afro Jazz outfit called Licafa and left the group in 2013 due to academic commitments as he enrolled for Communications and Journalism studies at Christian College of Southern Africa (CCOSA).
In 2015, after finishing his studies, the singer embarked on a solo journey and recorded his debut album called Nakusasa Futhi. The lanky crooker released a collection of singles in 2016.
On the 29th of April 2018 the journalist-cum-musician successfully released the Yanaya DVD which carries 4 videos, Yanaya, Rooted in the world, Better and Vakatadzei.
Challenges
Masinire said: “Without the full support of the authorities, it has become difficult to fight music piracy. The best method of fighting against music piracy is through education.
“An appeal to people’s consciences is the best way to deal with piracy. Otherwise with the increase in technological knowledge by the pirates who can download music from the likes of You Tube, iTunes and Facebook, not much can be done to stop the stealing of music. The law enforcers might come and arrest those involved, but the limited fines imposed are not much of a deterrent to many pirates.”
Achievements
THE gospel musician was nominated at the Human Rights Defenders Awards in the Artist of the Year category (2016).
His song Vakatadzei was made sound track for a local drama called Muzitarababa.
In 2017, he did duet with Whitney Songbird called Rooted in the world and the song was number 6 on the coca-cola top 50 videos of the year 2017. The track is currently playing on One Gospel , Love world Sat, Christ TV and ZTV.
The Yanaya hitmaker released and launched Mashoko/ Words album in October 2018. In December 2018, the song Mikana off the album was nominated at the Star FM Awards on the Gospel song of the year 2018 category.
Inspiration
I’m inspired by the Holy Spirit. The songs that im singing are not mine. I hear him sing and I sing to the people”, Masanire explained.
Mukundi affectionally known by gospel fans said, he grew up listening to array of both international and local musicians who have influenced the feel of music, which includes Frank Edwards, Tracy Chapman, Buchi , Sinach, Janet Manyowa and Michael Mahendere to mention just a few.
But my main inspiration comes from the Holy Spirit.
Salvation
Masinire gave his life to Jesus Christ in 2009, after watching Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s 31st service.
Current Projects
Working on videos album.
Favourite food
I love rice and chicken roasted.
Religion
I go to Christ Embassy Church.
Hobbies
Music is my main hobby. And I also love going to watch Dynamos play.
Word of advice to upcoming Artists
My advice is that upcoming artists should invest in their personalities, because one can only give that which they have.
