Noel Zembe
| Musician Noel Zembe | |
|---|---|
| Born | Noel Zembe |
| Residence | Harare |
| Nationality | Zimbabwe |
| Occupation |
|
| Known for | Singing |
Noel Zembe is a Zimbabwean gospel musician. Before becoming a gospel musician Zembe was a vocalist for the group Frontline Kids whose creation was facilitated by Fred Zindi.
Background
Zembe is Peter Muparutsa's brother in law. He grew up in Nyazura. [1]
Career
Frontline Kids
Zembe joined the band rather late after the departure of Peter Tembo, who had been the lead singer of Scanners International, a band formed in Dzivarasekwa by Filbert Marova, Emmanuel Thomas, Jevas Dzotizei, Wellington Masvosva and Peter-Bob Manwere. As part of Frontline kids Zembe performed for the late Robert Mugabe during the National Youth Week and in 1990 they were the supporting act for well known South African musicians, Brenda Fassie, Chicco and Chimora, Yvonne Chaka-Chaka and the Soul Brothers. They also shared the stage with visiting Jamaican singer Dennis Brown in the same year. The Frontline Kids defined their music as afro-acid, which was a fusion of jiti and Western music. They performed in Botswana, Mozambique and the United Kingdom.
One of the highlights while touring the UK in 1991, was when they were invited to perform at St Andrews University in Scotland. They performed for 5 000 people with Zembe later remarking: "I have never been before such a huge audience in my whole life. It is such an overwhelming experience!”.[2]
In 1992 The Frontline Kids split after most of the band members had reached the age of 20 when by consensus they no longer represented the kids.
Frontline Krew
In 2002 Frontline Kids reformed with three of the original members Thomas, Jevas and Zembe being at the fore front while new members, Pablo Nakapa, Forward Mazuruse and Tendai Zaranyika filled in the gaps of departed members or those who failed to rejoin such as Philbert Marova.
A new album In Africa was released. Due to their advanced ages the group was renamed Frontline Krew in 2003. It failed to compete with the new groups and the Frontline Krew died a natural death.[3]
Gospel Music
After leaving the Frontline Kids, he went into chemical manufacturing. Zembe later formed his own band under the Zeal Project and recorded the single “Baba Thoko” at Prince Tendai’s High-Density Records.
After that he became a fully fledged gospel artiste. He recorded the hits Ndaiwana Hama, Ndega Ndega and Pinda Mudanga. On his 2014 album, Nguva YaMwari he collaborated with Jah Prayzah on the song Risvike Ikoko.
Discography
Solo Albums
- Nguva YaMwari (2014)
Albums with Frontline Kids
- Children of the Frontline
- African Jive
- Hupenyu
Albums with Frontline Krew
- In Africa
Accident
In 2014 Zembe was involved in a Kombi accident in Mbare which broke his left leg. After being hospitalised for several weeks at Chitungwiza Hospital, he went through physiotherapy for a further six months. [4]
