Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi (born in 1952 in Highfield, Harare) is a Zimbabwean musician, one of the longest-lasting popular performers from that country. He began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band which featured Zimbabwean legend Thomas Mapfumo. Their single, "Dzandimomotera" went gold and Tuku's first album followed, and it was also a major success.
With some other members of the Wagon Wheels, Tuku formed The Black Spirits, who have been his backing band since that period. Tuku's influence is profound; his style is even known as Tuku music, sometimes, because he has had such a distinct effect on Zimbabwean music. His style is a mixture of South African urban music, such as mbaqanga, traditional Shona music from his home country and his own clan's (the Korekore) drumming style, katekwe, and popular Zimbabwean jit.
Tuku has also ventured into film, playing the lead in Jit and Neria, for which he arranged the soundtrack, as well as on several documentaries on Zimbabwean music. He has also written a piece of musical theater, Was My Child.
Oliver began his musical career in 1977 when he played with a group called Wagon Wheels, among whose members was Thomas Mapfumo.
OliverMtukudzi builds his music from Shona folk music, blending it with South African mpaqanga, soul and blues - and not least with his own gripping lyrics.
OliverMtukudzi is less outspoken in his comments on life in Zimbabwe, but not necessarily less political.
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