Retro Reviews: A study of Jah Prayzah's Nhoroondo off Gwara album, a masterful display of deep lyricism and storytelling

TAWANDA CHARI

When it comes to contemporary Zimbabwean music, few names command as much respect as Jah Prayzah. Known for his distinct sound and cultural resonance, he has carved out a unique place in the nation's music scene. Beyond the energetic performances and the infectious melodies, Jah Prayzah's most powerful tool is undoubtedly his lyricism. This comes to the fore in his 2021 album Gwara (Path), where his storytelling takes center stage in a four-part musical journey known as Nhoroondo (Narration). It is here that Jah Prayzah truly cements his place as one of Zimbabwe's finest lyricists, weaving together life's complexities with poetic precision and emotional depth.

Jah Prayzah at a live performance.

In Nhoroondo, Jah Prayzah doesn't just tell a story—he invites the listener into an emotional experience. Each of the four songs acts as a chapter in a narrative that traces the unpredictable path of life, filled with love, struggle, success, tragedy, and the cruelty of fate. 

The first chapter, Nyeredzi (Stars), introduces a man who is captivated by a beautiful woman, and in this poetic moment, the spark of love is ignited. Through Jah Prayzah's masterful use of metaphor and vivid imagery, we follow the couple's journey to marriage, a union that symbolizes the beginning of new hopes and dreams. His lyricism paints their connection in a way that feels both personal and universal, allowing listeners to insert themselves in the narrative.

In the second chapter, Chimwe neChimwe (Everything in Its Time), Jah Prayzah explores the cyclical nature of life. The idea that "everything has a time" is central to this song, where he reflects on how fortunes change—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. The couple, after getting married, struggles with infertility, a poignant challenge that Jah Prayzah captures with tender lyricism. 

The difficulty of having a child adds another layer of emotional complexity to the story, highlighting the deep yearning and heartache that many couples face in their journey to parenthood. His words here carry wisdom, reminding us that life’s seasons are temporary, and both struggle and success are part of the same journey. The lyricism in this chapter stands out for its philosophical undertones, drawing on Shona proverbs and age-old truths, all while maintaining a poetic flow that feels as effortless as it is profound.

As the story progresses, Ndichiyamwa (Breastfeeding) tells of the couple’s next chapter—parenthood. After their earlier struggles, they finally have a child, but they must make the heart-wrenching decision to leave the baby with relatives as they pursue financial stability to leave the baby with relatives as they pursue financial stability in the city or in a different country, what have you. Through his lyrics, Wagwizi captures the emotional tug of war between love and necessity, evoking the pain of separation and the sacrifices parents make for the betterment of their children. 

His choice of words pulls the listener into the heartache of these moments, while still hinting at the hope that things will improve—perhaps a subtle reflection of the Zimbabwean spirit of resilience.

However, the journey takes a tragic turn in the final chapter, Nherera (Orphan). In a heart-wrenching twist, the parents’ success draws the envy of those closest to them, leading to their untimely deaths at the hands of a trusted friend. The child, now orphaned, faces unimaginable hardship at the hands of the very relatives meant to care for her. 

Jah Prayzah’s lyricism here is raw and unflinching, highlighting the darker side of human nature. His portrayal of the child’s suffering is visceral, as he captures the abuse and mistreatment often faced by orphans in the hands of arrant relatives. The storytelling reaches its climax in this chapter, where the lyricism transforms from a narrative of personal tragedy to a broader commentary on the cruelty and unpredictability of life.

Through Nhoroondo, Jah Prayzah demonstrates his ability to blend storytelling with deep, impactful lyricism. The four songs within Gwara are not merely about the specific characters—they speak to universal experiences, relatable to many Zimbabweans and beyond. His skill lies in his ability to take everyday life—its joys and sorrows—and elevate it through poetic language, vivid imagery, and emotional weight. Listening to these songs feels like reading chapters in a novel, each lyric crafted to paint a picture in the mind of the listener.

Jah Prayzah’s creative genius in Gwara lies in how he taps into both the personal and collective consciousness of his audience. He brings the path of life—gwara—to life with a balance of beauty and heartbreak, capturing the essence of human experience. The layered lyricism, the intertwining of love and loss, success and envy, life and death, all serve to highlight his artistry as not just a musician, but a master storyteller.

With Nhoroondo, Jah Prayzah proves that he is a poet, a narrator of life’s unpredictable paths, and one of the greatest lyricists Zimbabwe has ever produced. His ability to craft a narrative that echoes deeply with listeners while using language that is both accessible and profound places him in a league of his own, and Gwara stands as a colloquy to his lyrical brilliance.