The Bhundu Boys were a groundbreaking Zimbabwean band that burst onto the international music scene in the mid-1980s with their vibrant, irresistible blend of chimurenga music, American rock, and pop, a style that became affectionately known as "jit." Formed in Harare in 1980, the band—whose name means "bush" or "jungle," referencing the boys who aided nationalist fighters in the Rhodesian War—quickly dominated the local charts with a string of number one hits. Their charismatic frontman, Biggie Tembo (Rodwell Marasha), along with founder and lead guitarist Rise Kagona, bassist David Mankaba, keyboardist Shakie Kangwena, and drummer Kenny Chitsvatsva, created a sound so infectious that it soon caught the attention of British promoters. Championed relentlessly by BBC Radio DJs John Peel and Andy Kershaw, their UK debut album, Shabini (1986), became an indie hit and launched them into a whirl of international fame. They were soon opening for Madonna at Wembley Stadium, receiving praise from Eric Clapton and Elvis Costello, and seemed poised for a major commercial breakthrough after signing with Warner Brothers. However, their subsequent album, True Jit (1987), was criticized for being too polished and different from their original sound, and the band’s trajectory began to falter. Internal conflicts led to Biggie Tembo's departure in 1990, and the group continued with less success. The story took a tragic turn as several members, including David Mankaba, his replacement Shepherd Munyama, and Shakespeare Kangwena, succumbed to AIDS. Adding to the heartbreak, Biggie Tembo died by suicide in 1995. Despite their short time in the global spotlight, The Bhundu Boys left an indelible mark, taking the joyous sound of Zimbabwean jit music to the world and earning their place as one of Africa's most pioneering bands.