Limpopo musician encourages people to use music as medicine during lockdown

A new voice in the African traditional reggae music fraternity is emerging with a mighty sound in the middle of the pandemic. And the music is said to help you deal with the lockdown blues and loneliness.

Who is the musical lockdown hero?

The voice belongs to none other than Ras Willie, full name Wilson Dzebu, who has just released his debut traditional reggae music album titled Vhulunga Zwau which means “preserve your heritage”. His music, which is the talk of the town, is a rare breed based on Tshivenda folk music and the preservation of African traditional and cultural practices.

Born and bred at Makonde village outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo, South Africa, Ras Willie drew inspiration from his late mother, Ntshavheni Agnes Dzebu who was a great malende (Tshivenda traditional dance songs) vocalist and dancer.

Ras Willie says the main massage he is driving to his fans through his music is to encourage them to preserve their history, culture and tradition.

“I decided to come up with this new type of music because I have realised that there was a huge gap in terms of fitting in folk songs in the contemporary reggae music fraternity. Our folk songs and traditions should be preserved for the sake of the coming generation. One of the best ways to do this is through music. We will all depart from this earth, but our music will live forever,” he said.

It has been a long and winding road for Ras Willie to be where he is today.

“I started playing music at the age of eight with Thinawanga Band, led by the late Azwivhavhi Ndou in my village of Makonde. I used to play homemade drums and also featured as a backing vocalist. Thinawanga Band seized to exist in the early 80s and I joined Limpopo reggae music legend, Shufflers Ragimana as a backing vocalist, bass guitarist, keyboardist and drummer. That is where I also learnt to compose my own songs.”

The Venda songs in the album are: Mmbebeda, Funguvhu, Mathora, Donngi yo fela u luga, Tshinoni tsha nkuku, Sendekela, Mutshavhona, Nwana nwananga, Magaraba, Ndi linde, Mueni and Zwahashu.

He added: “I took a break from music for many years until I returned to the studio to record my first 12-track album. It was recorded at G Records in Musina. All the songs are purely traditional, aimed at preserving our indigenous identity. I’m very happy that people are receiving my music with open hearts and the support is overwhelming out there. I’m very happy because my music is receive massive airplay in various South African radio stations.”

Listen to Ras Willie’s music

Ras Willie’s music is available on CD and in all online digital stores across the world. He is also available on Facebook and on his YouTube channel.

And his advice to budding artists is that they should never give up their dreams.

“The most important thing is to be educated so that one can have something to lean on when the music career hits a snag.”

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