After an eight-year musical hiatus, Robert Makungo is back with a hot reggae gospel album, Mikovhe.
Born in Makonde village, north of Thohoyandou, Makungo discovered his love of music early, joining the school choir at Makonde Primary School and continuing through Silemale Secondary School. At church, he rose from the Sunday School choir to become a key member of the worship team and church band.
"My neighbour, the late Azwivhavhi Eriel Ndou, was a skilled guitarist who led the Thinawanga Band. Watching him perform with artists like Shufflers Ragimana, Phillip Tshililo, and Mmboniseni Makwarela inspired me to pursue music professionally," he said.
Makungo, popularly known as Robert M or Vha Eva, has worked with several gospel artists and was a founding member of the gospel group Power of Praise in 2007, releasing the hit Lufu ndi dambuwo. He went solo, releasing his debut album Hu na Jeso wa Nazareth in 2017. Work commitments as a long-distance truck driver forced him to take an eight-year break, but he has now returned with Mikovhe.
The seven-track album features reggae-driven songs such as Mulalo, He Lifted Me Up, Mikovhe, Nanga Yehova, The Blood, Mihwalo, and Ntodiseni, with guest appearances from Nyeleti M and Gera Beats.
Makungo said of his new release: "After years away from the public eye, I wanted to give my fans the best. Like wine that matures with time, this album reflects a more mature sound than my 2017 release."