Thomas Mapfumo

Known in his native country as "The Lion of Zimbabwe," Thomas Mapfumo turned a successful career covering Western pop songs into his own version of chimurenga, or protest music. Mapfumo introduced mbira into his music, echoed the rhythms with his guitar, and began singing in his native Shona; the result was a wildly popular embracing of cultural traditions which proved vital during Zimbabwe's struggle for political independence.