Explore Jit on Josplay Music Jit blends various musical influences, including traditional Zimbabwean chimurenga music, Congolese rumba, and in some compositions, jazz. Also, It’s fast-paced rhythm, typically characterized by an energetic and swift tempo that drives the music are some of its outstanding features.
A popular Zimbabwean dance music that features a swift rhythm played on drums and is accompanied by a guitar. It is an electric guitar-driven pop.
Influenced By: SoukousChimurenga
In its traditional form, Jit was performed by groups of people singing in a circle, accompanied by one or two drums called ‘mutumba’. These drums would play rhythmic patterns in sync with the vocal lines, which were often delivered in a call-and-response style.
The genre gained mainstream popularity thanks to bands like the Four Brothers, led by Marshall Munhumumwe, and the Bhundu Boys, that was led by the late Biggie Tembo. Other notable artists who played a role in the popularity of Jit include the late James Chimombe, Paul Mpofu, System Tazvida & Chazezesa Challengers.
Gibbs Chitate introduced a new variations to Jit by fusing it with jazz elements. In certain parts of Zimbabwe, like Murehwa, Jit is referred to as "jazz" or "pfonda" due to the similarities in the rhythms. Chitate called his mellow, softer version of Jit "Urban Jit."
Jit’s danceable nature also gave rise to several popular dance styles associated with the genre, such as hwishu, tuwisti, kongonya, borodhero, honda, and chipisi. The most popular of these is borodhero, a dance made famous by Alick Macheso. The name "borodhero" comes from the Borrowdale Race Course in Harare, as the dance mimics the movement of a galloping horse.
The Dzumbunu Choir was also instrumental in the 1970s, performing traditional Jit with simple instruments like drums and hosho (traditional shakers).
The singing style in Jit is often joyful and lively, usually in a call-and-response format between the lead singer and backup singers.
Borrowing from Chimurenga, the themes are usually politically charged, celebratory or pointed towards social commentary.
Jit is deeply rooted in Zimbabwean culture but still borrows from neighboring cultures like the Congo with a touch of Westernization due to the instruments used.
Jit music features fast, syncopated rhythms typically arranged in 4/4 time, with quick repetitive beats. The melodic lines are woven into the rhythm, primarily driven by electric guitar and supported by drums and shakers (snares in some compositions).