2016 was by any standard, Zimbabwe’s best year in the showbiz sector. Not only was it the year that Jah Prayzah collaborated with the highly rated Diamond Platinumz, but was also the year that Harare International Conference Centre became synonymous with international concerts. From Jah Cure, Chris Martin, Morgan Heritage to Romain Vigo, they all flocked the giant 5000 seater and left lasting impressions.
With so much pressure, 2017 had a false start owing to the dreaded January disease but has slowly gained momentum. The major talking points of 2017 to date include Baba Harare’s debut album released three weeks into the year. Though the album has failed to make waves, it does not take away the fact that it is a good project that will gain popularity with time.
This weekend 263chat visited a couple shows in Harare. The new kid on the block, Baba Harare had a solo act at the Inner Café on Saturday night. Baba Harare who performed with a full band, proved why it was important that he leaves Jah Prayzah to be his own man. His performance showed a lot of maturity despite being a relatively new artist.
Super label night club hosted two popular Zimdancehall artists, Killer T and Seh Calaz with the latter having a nightmare in a fully packed house as fans proved too difficult to please. This was a continuation of 2016 as the two artists have performed countless times at the same venue which is now one of the homes of Zimdancehall in Harare.
At the popular Mushandirapamwe hotel in Highfields, Sulumani Chimbetu and Gonyeti took turns to serenade music lovers who braced the fairly wet weather to attend one of the first shows of 2017. The two artists who had a collaboration song on Gonyeti’s new album failed to attract a big crowd though they gave a five star performance.
The Mbare born and bred Zimdancehall star Soul Jah Love invaded Jongwe corner. The Ndini Uya uya hitmaker who has never disappointed everywhere he performed, continued his usual story, promising a new journey following his recent appearance at the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance church late last year.
Sungura maestro, Alick Macheso was in the countryside of Mashonaland Central on Saturday where he gave his fans a dose of Tsoka Dzerwendo and his latest collaboration with Baba Harare called Ibvapano.
Dr Oliver Mtukudzi and his music son Mbeu were at Pakare Paye where they staged a clinical show proving why Tuku will remain Zimbabwe’s greatest musician of all time. The Wasakara hit-maker continues to defy odds and his story can be equated to wine, getting better with age.
Kariba had a delicious meal from the Progress Chipfumo whose vocal prowess continues to thrill music lovers in the country. Chipfumo gave Kariba music lovers a feel of his yet to be released latest album which features the popular hit song Tokwe Mukosi released in honor of the victims of Tokwe Mukosi floods in Mwenezi.
