In the 1980s, a BBC documentary explored the burgeoning Zimbabwean music scene, sparking heated debates across the nation. Musicians, record label executives, music colleges, and journalists were captivated by the future of Zimbabwean music, and the program showcased emerging legends like Simon Chimbetu, Oliver Mtukudzi, and Andy Brown. Watching this documentary, I was filled with optimism for the Zimbabwean sound’s potential on the global stage. But today, I realize the unlikely benefactor of this rich musical heritage was none other than Chris Martin and his band, Coldplay.
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| Chris Martin of Coldplay |
This discovery hasn’t been mine alone. TikTok user @estduncan recently went viral after posting a video of herself listening to Coldplay's Adventure of a Lifetime and remarking, “It's kinda crazy how Coldplay's lead Chris Martin grew up in Zimbabwe in his teens and worked in a local music studio with Zim guitarists, so Coldplay has African influences in their music.” Her post set off a wave of comments from fans who heard echoes of Sungura—a popular Zimbabwean genre noted for its lively rhythms, fast-paced guitar riffs, and catchy lyrics—woven into Coldplay’s music.
One fan commented, "No way. This makes so much sense in terms of that guitar riff. Sounds like Sungura music!" Another added, "I knew the guitar sounded like Sungura; you can hear it so clearly.” And yet another recalled: “When this song came out, uncles on Facebook made edits of Sungura dancers grooving to it.”
@estduncan that is kinda crazy #fyp #foryoupage #coldplay #chrismartin #musictok #zimbabwe #zimtiktok #thoughts #viral ♬ adventure of a lifetime - favsoundds
This link between Coldplay’s sound and Zimbabwean music is more than speculation. In a 2008 Rolling Stone interview, Chris Martin directly cited Afro-pop and high-life influences on Strawberry Swing, a track from Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. "My mum comes from Zimbabwe, so I spent a lot of time there," he shared. "I used to work in [Shed Studios] where people played [The biggest Shed Studio (now defunct) stars from that era were Bhundu Boys and Biggie Tembo]."
In a 2017 interview with BBC Radio 1, Martin shed further light on Zimbabwe's profound influence on him as a child. Reflecting on Paul Simon's Graceland, which introduced Western audiences to South African music in 1986, he recalled, "I was 10 years old, living in Zimbabwe—where half my family is from—and this record was playing. I was trying to get the attention of another 10-year-old girl, but she was doing the eighties equivalent of ghosting me. I remember this song playing and thinking, ‘At least the music is awesome.’"
This unexpected intersection of Coldplay’s sound and Zimbabwean music speaks volumes about the endurance of Zimbabwean culture, even as the pioneers themselves have passed. The beat goes on in ways we never imagined—an echo from Harare to the world stage. Thanks for reading, please let me know your thoughts in the comment box below!