Explore Sungura on Josplay Music I IV V is the most common chord progression, which is a major chord progression, just like in Makossa and highlife. The keyboardist supports the rhythm guitarist and bass guitarist; the genre leans more toward guitar and drumming. The rhythm guitar and the drummer are supported by the bass guitar. Because there are no other percussion instruments in the opening, the guitarist is the main subject. The drum is also full of rhythms.
Sungura (meaning "Rabbit" in Shona) is a fusion of traditional Zimbabwean music, Congolese rumba, and Western influences such as rock and pop. Just as the name depicts in Shona, the genre's music style and dance are agile and very lively. The instruments that feature in the Sungura genre include bass, drums, guitars, and traditional Zimbabwean instruments - mbira and hosho (shakers).
Influenced By: Congolese Rumba
Thanks to Zimbabwe’s strong economy and lack of apartheid, migration to Zimbabwe was popular amongst various Africans.
Seeking to appeal to local audiences, these bands started singing in local Zimbabwean languages and playing Cuban cha-cha-cha, Congolese rumba, South African township jive, and Shona mbira music. At the same time, benga, the music of Congolese bands in Kenya, started to become popular in Zimbabwe, inspiring the emergence of bands like Kassongo (named after a popular Orchestra Super Mazembe song).
This Kenyan influence is evident in naming the genre. Sungura means ‘rabbit’ in the Swahili language. In the 1970s, Sungura began to take proper shape with the rise of bands like Kassongo, Sungura Boys, The Marxist Brothers, The Vhuka Boys, Okavango Boys, and Devera Ngwena. But it wasn’t until the 1980s, when the genre became associated with Zimbabwe’s independence struggle, that Sungura rose to National prominence.
Since the early days of Zimbabwe’s independence, Sungura has remained the most popular style of music in Zimbabwe.
The lead singer sings with a melodic backup singer, and Support singers perform in chorus.
The whole musical composition are usually built around the chords I IV V.
Light, There aren't many instruments; the guitar and drums are at the front, while the other instruments play in support.
Sungura typically begins with the guitar, then the percussion, the main vocalist, who is joined by the bass guitar and pianist. Following 3/4 bars, the drummer rolls but concentrates more on the hi-hat rhythm. Additionally, he allows the guitarist to take a solo while still allowing the supporting singers to perform.