High flying contemporary musician, Jah Prayzah says he is not ashamed to continue associating with the military insisting that he will not abandon the army regalia.
A section of Zimbabweans in the diaspora have threatened to block the “Kutonga Kwaro” hit-maker from performing in the United Kingdom, arguing that association with the army brand reflects his endorsement of atrocities perpetrated by soldiers on innocent civilians early last week.
Jah Prayzah is expected to perform in the UK together with Winky D, Jah Signal, Baba Harare and Tocky Vibes on April 19.
Speaking to 263Chat through his manager Keen Mushapaidze, the 31-year-old said he started wearing military gear on stage before Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) recognized him insisting that his continued use of the regalia does not reflect an endorsement of any organization’s activities.
“Jah Prayzah was awarded an ambassadorial role for Zimbabwean culture through ZDF because he represented our tradition in his music well, not because he wore the military gear. Him wearing the gear was not a result of him getting the ambassadorship, he had always worn it before.
“Therefore we see no need to change the brand that we have always had on lines of another organization’s activities. In the same way music matures, the image does also, and if we see a need to shift on those lines then yes,” said Mushapaidze.
He also highlighted that they have not been affected by their association with the military brand so far.
“In any situation, we will not sit and wait for harm to come our way but for now we have not been really affected because of the nature of our brand,” he said.
Commenting on the issue, music analyst and Jibilika founder, Plot Mhako tipped the Uzumba born musician to abandon the military regalia on the day of the show.
“We can not really dismiss these people’s concerns because some of them are real. If these guys are really pissed with the military outfit, it would be wise for Jah Prayzah to choose a different fit.
“Though calls to block him are a bit far stretched because Jah Prayzah has been consistent in his appreciation of the military since childhood, it is documented. World over we have seen artists carrying the military brand, it does not mean that they subscribe to a particular army,” said Mhako.
