Baba Harare: From Jiti Sensation, to Gospel Convert, to Jiti’s Comeback

Baba Harare

Zimbabwe’s music scene is no stranger to reinvention. But few transformations have stirred as much attention and debate as that of Braveman Chizvino, better known as Baba Harare (and more recently as “King David”). His journey takes us through energetic dance‑floor Jiti, a deeply personal gospel chapter, and now a re‑embracing of his roots. Here’s how it has unfolded.

Early Career & Jiti Stardom

Baba Harare made his mark in the Jiti genre, a fast‑paced, guitar‑driven, dance‑centric style that is vibrant in Zimbabwean culture. He built a following with songs that combined catchy lyrical hooks, danceable beats, and compelling performances. 

One of his key albums in this era was Prove Them Wrong (2019/2020), which featured songs like Ndini Ndinaye (with Gemma Griffiths) that showed both versatility and his ability to blend traditional Jiti sounds with more modern influences. 

Turning Point: Embracing Gospel Music

Around mid‑2024, Baba Harare made a public, dramatic shift. He announced that he had become a born‑again Christian, rebranded himself as King David, cut his signature dreadlocks, altered his image, and declared a move away from secular/Jiti music toward gospel. 

His first gospel project was Repentance (2024), which had eight tracks including songs like Makanaka, Sukai featuring Takesure Zamar Ncube, He Loves You, Fambai Neni, Hossana, etc. 

He followed this with other gospel works, including an EP My Testimony in October 2024. 

In March 2025, he released Revived & Restored, a full gospel album with about ten tracks, collaborating with artists like Tanto Wavie, ZimPraise Choir, Michael Mahendere, Blessing Shumba, Dorcas Moyo, Kudzi Nyakudya among others. 

Challenges, Criticisms & The Move Back to Jiti

While the gospel albums received praise in some quarters, Baba Harare also faced criticism and logistical challenges. Among them were issues around payment for gospel performances, what he perceived as unfair treatment in the gospel music industry (e.g. promoters or church events not paying agreed fees), and difficulty sustaining the kind of momentum he had with Jiti. 

In September 2025, he publicly announced a return to Jiti music. He stated that although he remains a Christian, he believes he can be true to both his faith and his musical roots. He criticised certain practices in the gospel industry, saying that performing gospel does not mean one should be exploited or expected to work without proper remuneration. 

He also asserted that singing and listening to Jiti does not disqualify one from faith; that one can be Christian and still perform secular styles. 

Latest Work & What’s Coming

As of March 2025, the gospel album Revived & Restored is his most recent full project in the gospel genre. Songs like Ndinofara (ft. Minister Michael Mahendere), Hatirwe Nenyama (ft. Zimpraise), Twenty Four Seven (ft. Tanto Wavie) are part of that album. 

Before that, Repentance (2024) was his first gospel album and drew attention not just for its spiritual messages but for how fans of his secular phase responded. 

Looking ahead, he has announced a forthcoming album titled “Greater and Wiser”, set for release in October 2025. He teases that this new project reflects lessons learned during his gospel period. One of the confirmed collaborations is with Gemma Griffiths. 

Reflection: Identity, Faith & Music

Baba Harare’s journey is rich not just in genre changes but in identity, faith, and how those intersect with artistry and livelihood. Some takeaways:

The tension between religious conviction and commercial realities is strong: he moved to gospel partly out of faith, but also encountered industry practices he found unsustainable. 

The idea that an artist can “be Christian” but still perform secular (or “non‑gospel”) music. In his current statements, he insists being Jiti doesn’t make one less spiritual, or less devoted. 

The reactions of fans, both positive and critical, have played a big role: some felt betrayed by his move to gospel; others supported him. His return to Jiti has been welcomed by many. 

Key Songs & Videos to Know

Sukai ft. Takesure Zamar — gospel track; had strong traction. 

Makanaka — another gospel song; part of Repentance and accompanied by visuals that’ve done well. 

Rudo Rwako ft Bling 4 — a secular / Jiti style video. 

Tsamba Yerufu — from the secular/Jiti period (before the full gospel rebrand). 

What the Future Might Hold

With Greater and Wiser coming up, Baba Harare seems to be attempting a synthesis: returning to that energetic style that made him famous, but imbued with maturity, lessons, and a faith‑informed worldview. Whether he fully re‑embraces Jiti as before, or creates a hybrid identity (“faithful but secular performance”), remains to be seen.

Conclusion

Baba Harare’s musical path demonstrates the complexities artists face when faith, personal growth, cultural expectations, and the music business collide. His story is not just about genre—Jiti vs gospel—but also about identity, integrity, struggle, and finding one’s place in the balance.

More than anything, his return to Jiti doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning gospel or faith, but perhaps insisting that one can have both: the joy and crowd‑pleasing rhythms, along with spiritual grounding, recognizing music as both ministry and vocation.Click here to add text.