Peter Moyo Biography|Age, Education, Music Career, Albums, Controversies, Love Life
Peter “Dhewa” Moyo, is a talented Zimbabwean musician. He is the son of the late Tongai Moyo, a renowned legendary musician.
Despite the challenges, Peter has managed to uphold his father’s musical legacy, releasing his own music and leading the Utakataka Express band.
Age
Born on May 8, 1988. As of 2023, he is 35 years old.
Education
Peter Moyo did his primary education at Kwekwe Primary School.
After completing his primary education, Peter went on to attend Chaplin High School for his secondary education.
Peter Moyo (Image Credit: Instagram @peterdewamoyo08)
Music Career
Peter Moyo, affectionately known as the “Young Igwe,” is a talented musician and the son of the late legendary artist Tongai Moyo.
His father, Tongai Moyo, was a popular musician who rose to fame in the late 1990s with his band Utakataka Express.
He was thrust into the limelight when he took over his father’s band after he passed away in 2011.
Initially, when Peter started singing, he faced criticism for his unpolished vocals. Determined to improve his skills, he sought guidance from gospel singer Charles Charamba, who provided him with vocal lessons. Despite the challenges, Peter displayed great ambition and eagerness to learn.
After his father fell ill, Peter decided to pursue a career in music and started singing. Following Tongai Moyo’s death, Peter took over the reins of Utakataka Express. Within a few weeks, he displayed remarkable growth and proficiency, becoming skilled at playing both the rhythm and lead guitars.
Peter Moyo quickly rose to prominence, sharing the stage with other renowned Zimbabwean musicians like Oliver Mtukudzi and Alick Macheso, where he often performed his late father’s songs as a tribute.
In June 2013, Peter stepped out from his father’s shadow and released his debut album titled “Mushonga Mukuru.” The album garnered significant attention, and during its launch, it was even auctioned for an impressive US$5000, indicating the high regard and interest surrounding the young musician’s musical journey.
With the release of “Mushonga Mukuru,” Peter Moyo solidified his place in the Zimbabwean music scene and proved that he was more than capable of continuing his father’s musical legacy with his own unique style and talent. As the “Young Igwe,” he undoubtedly became a promising figure in the music incident, bringing fresh energy and creativity to the music landscape.
Controversies
Peter Moyo, as the heir to his late father’s musical legacy, faced several controversies and challenges in his career. These controversies brought public attention and scrutiny to the young musician’s actions and statements.
1. Band Member Departures:
In 2013, Peter Moyo experienced a setback when some key band members, including Spencer Khumulani, Gift “Shiga Shiga” Katulika, and Gaison Sixpense, left Utakataka Express to join Energy Mutodi’s band. The departure of these band members forced Peter to rebuild his band from scratch, disrupting the continuity of Utakataka Express.
- Band Accident:
The band’s troubles worsened when they were involved in an accident while returning from a music gala. The incident resulted in injuries to several band members, raising concerns about the band’s future and potentially leading to the collapse of the once highly regarded Utakataka Express.
- Family Controversy:
During his album launch, Peter created controversy by publicly denouncing his stepmother, Minienhle, and questioning her belonging to the Moyo family. This public declaration potentially strained relations within the family and attracted negative media attention.
- Professional Conduct:
Reports surfaced that Peter’s behaviour and attitude led to promoters abandoning him. There were instances where he failed to show up for scheduled performances, such as one with Tryson Chimbetu in Bulawayo, causing frustration among fans who were left disappointed and not refunded.
- Clashes with Other Artists:
Peter Moyo clashed with fellow musician Beverly Sibanda, though the exact reasons for the disagreement were not specified, it caused tensions and potentially affected their professional relationship.
- Denouncing Father’s Friends:
Peter Moyo’s statements denouncing his late father’s close friends, asserting that they were not his friends but mere associates, raised eyebrows and led to negative reactions from promoters and some fans. This caused further division and strained relationships within the music community.
Discography
- Mushonga Mukuru (2013)
- Mopao Mokonzi (2017)
Controversial Love Life
Peter Moyo’s personal life has often been the subject of public interest. In 2020, he paid the lobola (bride price) for his fiancée, Caroline Makamache, marking an end to his bachelorhood. Makamache, a resident of Texas, USA, and Moyo had been in a relationship for two years. She is the founder of Rutendo Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at helping and empowering underprivileged individuals, particularly women.
