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Few bandleaders in Africa, or anywhere, have been so consistently relevant to the lives of their people as Thomas Mapfumo. The legendary "Lion of Zimbabwe" - the father of electric mbira music inspired the "chimurenga" songs of revolution. Mapfumo's "music of struggle", became popular during the civil war against White minority rule, but his popularity made the government unhappy. In 1977 he was sent to a prison camp for subversion. To obtain his release, Mapfumo agreed to perform for the ruling party, but at the concert he sang only his most revolutionary songs. As he faced more and more limitations on his own musical freedom, Mapfumo moved his family to Oregon where they have based their lives ever since. Mapfumo continues to record incendiary music, to have it banned, and to return to Zimbabwe and play for his loyal fans, risking arrest and harassment each time.

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