Jah Prayzah has issued a public apology to fast-rising Chimurenga musician Kurai Makore following allegations that a beat used on Jah Prayzah’s latest album, Ndini Mukudzei, closely mirrors Makore’s 2022 song Kanyarugwe.
The apology was delivered through none other than legendary Chimurenga pioneer Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo, who is Makore’s uncle and mentor. Mukanya, speaking from the United States, confirmed that Jah Prayzah had personally reached out to him after the controversy gained traction online and within the music industry.
“I heard about the issue and immediately decided to intervene and put the matter to rest,” Mukanya revealed in an exclusive interview. “Jah Prayzah called me and apologised. We accepted the apology, and I appreciated the show of maturity. He explained that he had received the beat from a third party and was unaware that it had been previously used.”
Mukanya went on to clarify that the original beat used in Kanyarugwe was actually his own composition. “In fact, the beat is mine, but we have bigger things to focus on. These kinds of similarities in music production happen more often than people realise. I’m at a stage in my life where I don’t want to fight young musicians. Music should be about collaboration and creativity—not war.”
The controversy erupted shortly after Jah Prayzah released the song Moto from his new album. Fans of Makore were quick to point out that the instrumental bore a striking resemblance to Kanyarugwe, which was released in 2022 and has since gained a strong following among Chimurenga music enthusiasts. The matter sparked debate across social media, with fans divided over whether the similarities were coincidental or deliberate.
Jah Prayzah clears the air after being accused of using a beat similar to Makore’s “Kanyarugwe”
While Jah Prayzah’s gesture of apologising has helped ease tensions, his management has remained notably silent. Repeated attempts to reach his manager, Keen Mushapaidze, were unsuccessful. He initially cited scheduling conflicts and declined to confirm or deny whether the apology had been formally issued, and no official statement has since been released by Jah Prayzah’s team.
Despite the initial tension, Kurai Makore responded with maturity and composure. Widely regarded as the new prince of Chimurenga, Makore emphasized that his camp was never interested in legal action or publicity stunts.
“We weren’t trying to capitalise on the issue or chase after Jah Prayzah’s fame,” Makore said. “We simply wanted to shine a light on the importance of respecting each other’s creative work. I’m not in this industry to create drama—I’m here to share music that matters. I respect Jah Prayzah as a Zimbabwean star, and I’m grateful my uncle was able to help bring closure.”
Makore added that while he appreciated the apology, he also wanted the music industry to use this episode as a lesson about the significance of originality, transparency, and ethical practices in production. He urged fans to be objective and not let social media commentary fuel unnecessary divisions.
Mukanya echoed these sentiments and emphasized the need for harmony in the music industry. He revealed that he is currently working on a new 10-track album that is expected to drop in the coming months. “Let’s use our energy to build, not to tear each other down,” he said. “This industry needs unity, not conflict. I’m glad the Jah Prayzah issue is behind us, and we can all move forward.”
The incident has brought renewed attention to the complex nature of music production in the digital age. With so many beats, loops, and samples in circulation—often traded or sold informally—cases of unintentional overlap are becoming increasingly common. This makes it all the more important for artists to verify the originality of their material before release.
For Jah Prayzah, the apology is seen as a commendable act of professionalism and accountability, especially given his stature in Zimbabwe’s music scene. Fans and industry watchers alike have praised the way the situation was handled, calling it a model for conflict resolution in the creative sector.
Ultimately, this case serves as a timely reminder of the value of dialogue, humility, and artistic integrity. Thanks to the measured responses from both Jah Prayzah and Kurai Makore, what could have escalated into a damaging public feud was instead transformed into a powerful moment of mutual respect and industry growth.
Source-Bulawayo24
