About Jah Prayzah
Jah Prayzah, frontman of Zimbabwean band Third Generation, is renowned for blending traditional sounds with contemporary styles, though his political songs sparked debate. With early hits like “Ngwarira Kuparara” and the definitive 2015 album Jerusarema, he cemented status as a revivalist fusing folk with Afropop.
While 2017’s Kutonga Kwaro courted controversy over political overtones, it showcased spiritual fusions. The 2013 opus Tsviriyo, highlighted by the Oliver Mtukudzi collab “Sisiria,” remains his magnum opus. Recent albums continue adapting Shona poetry to modern sonics, conjuring heritage and urban zeitgeist through boundary-pushing experimentation.
Origin Story
Jah Prayzah (born Mukudzei Mukombe) formed his band Third Generation in the early 2000s while still a teenager growing up in Uzumba, Mashonaland East Province. He had learned to play the traditional mbira instrument from a young age and was deeply influenced by Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage.
Their breakthrough came with the 2010 album Sungano Yerudo and its hit singles like “Lisa.” This launched Third Generation into the mainstream as a major force on urban radio and television channels. Over the next decade, they consolidated their status with critically-acclaimed albums like Tsviriyo (2013), Jerusarema (2015), and Hokoyo (2020). While sometimes controversial for perceived political ties, Third Generation has remained at the forefront of reimagining and reviving Zimbabwean folk music traditions for a new generation through Jah Prayzah’s distinctive artistic vision.
“Jah Prayzah’s music reaches deep into your spirit and connects you to the explosive expression of humanity pulsing through Zimbabwe’s cultural roots. It’s healing, infectious stuff that moves crowds of any background.”
Behind The Scenes
Every event is a journey. It all starts long before the legend climbs to the stage. Go deeper, see what goes on behind the scenes. How the Third Generation preps for each show.