KUDZAI CHITSATSO
Afro-pop musician Yaya Saru, real name Memory Chinamasa, has released a soulful new cover of Steve Makoni’s timeless hit “Zvachonyana”, bringing her own emotional depth and modern flair to the iconic song.
Speaking to ZimSphere, Yaya Saru shared that Makoni’s music has always been a deep source of inspiration for her.
“Steve Makoni’s music has always spoken to me deeply, especially how he tells stories through his lyrics. My rendition of Zvachonyana was inspired by the timeless message in the song that true love no longer exists on this earth,” she said.
“It’s a powerful reminder of how people have changed and how love today often lacks the sincerity it once had.”
Before recording the cover, Yaya Saru said she took time to fully immerse herself in Makoni’s original work to preserve its soul while infusing her unique style.
“I started by really immersing myself in the original song, listening to every lyric and feeling the message behind it. From there, I wanted to bring out my own interpretation while keeping the soul of Steve Makoni’s work alive,” she explained.
“I spent time experimenting with vocals and tone to make sure it carried the same depth and honesty, but with my personal touch. It wasn’t just about singing but more of feeling every word and connecting it to today’s world.”
The “Jongwe Ranga” hitmaker said Zvachonyana perfectly aligns with her artistic vision of creating music that speaks to real emotions and human experiences.
“This song fits perfectly into my artistic vision because my goal has always been to make music that carries meaning; songs that speak to real emotions and experiences,” she said.
“Zvachonyana aligns with that because it explores the truth about love and relationships in today’s world. Through it, I want to remind people that music isn’t just for entertainment; it’s also a mirror of who we are and what we have become. I also want to attract the mature crowd, and the song fits in that category.”
Yaya Saru believes the song will resonate deeply with listeners who reflect on the changing nature of love.
“When people listen to my single, I think it makes them pause and reflect, especially on the reality of love today. Some feel nostalgic, others relate to the message deeply because they’ve experienced that kind of emptiness or disappointment in love,” she said.
“As for me, every time I perform or listen to the song, I feel a deep connection to its truth. It’s emotional but fulfilling, because it allows me to express something many people feel but rarely say out loud.”
The Afro-pop artist, who began her music journey in 2011, has released over ten singles and an EP titled Songs from My Motherland (2023). She revealed that more music is on the way.
“I’m going with the direction of dropping singles — soon I’m dropping another single,” she said.
You can listen to Yaya Saru’s latest release Zvachonyana through her official music links:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6PiFYbFkPnJBlfJOdgRFQP?si=cuM1BJ3-QACS_UxjmhTFTg
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