Mafriq

Mafriq is an Afro-fusion music duo based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The group comprises of Pauline Gundidza and Lovedale Discord Makalanga. They started off as a trio but the departure of Tunga T in 2010 never meant the end of the group. Discord and Pauline kept on performing at various shows in the country. The group became popular in 2003 when urban grooves music was on the rise. Their music is sung in Shona and English languages. It is a fusion of African flavors hence their name was derived from the phrase ‘My Africa’.

In 2000, they released songs which featured on the ‘Chamhembe’ debut compilation album. The album was a collection of songs done by different urban grooves artists from Zimbabwe. Their song ‘Ndizvo Chete’ made an appearance on the album. It had input from artists such as Roki, Plaxedes Wenyika, Sanii Makhalima and Tererai Mugwadi. In 2004, the group won the following categories at the 2004 NAMA: Most Performing Artists, Song of the Year (Ndizvo Chete) and Video of The Year (Ndizvo Chete). This was followed by tracks such as ‘Ndichamuudza Chete’ (2006), ‘Shungu Dzemoyo’ (2009) and ‘Zambuko’ (2013). The single ‘Zambuko’ was done by Pauline and Discord when Tunga left the group in 2010.

The group has toured South Africa, United Kingdom and Mozambique.In 2013, Mafriq collaborated with a Zambian group called Amayenge. The teamwork was bent on producing a fusion of Afro-pop together with Zambian urban flavor in both Shona and Bemba languages. In 2014, they released a video for their single ‘Kende Kende’. The single is a traditional song whose version is that of most popular rhythms normally usually sung at funerals. But the group amazingly curved it into a decent love song.