Entertainment News

Zim artist hails the power of Afro-fusion 

By Daniel Chigunwe 
Zimbabwean Afro-fusion artists said the genre is one of the most loved and flexible because of its high appealing to the African cultural, social and traditional aspects of real day to day issues as it speaks to the many people from all walks of life in contemporary Africa.
Little is known about this artists but much is known about his video song called “Chikopokopo” on YouTube which has captivating overtones of the Baba Harare, “The Reason Why” jiti version making him one of the most upcoming artist to make a name in the genre.

Born Innocent Samwa in the town of Mashonaland Central province of Mvurwi, the singer and musician said despite coming from a Christian background he still finds ‘Jiti’ resonating well with the African values and beliefs.

• “I could have chosen to join the ZimDancehall genre where everyone is almost going but as an artist I found that I could not perfectly and succinctly express my music through that genre hence I chose Afro-fusion.

“Through my religious background, the church leaders may expect us to be in the gospel genre but as an artists I enjoy the ‘jiti’.
“In our video Chikopokopo you will see women who were dancing,  I actually had to tone down the video by editing but that is what people want and even when we shoot the video it did not even give us difficulties because people were already flocking enjoying the song.
“It is not even sexually suggestive because this is what we have been seeing as we grew up in our societies, music iyi yagara inonakidza, and dhanzi racho ragara riripo,” said Samwa.

Innocent Samwa

The video is one of the most popular, release way before Baba Harare, “the reason why” began to even make waves however financial challenges have been the hindering challenge in distribution.
“I could not make any profits or meaningful revenue out of my previous works and I am also not yet expecting huge profits, my main desire is that I create an organ fan base and also get publicity money will follow later.
“In this case I managed to come up with discs unfortunatelyi got affected by the money exchange rates and where I was targeting to have 100 discs I ended up with only 40 which I sold at $1.50 per copy but I am simply happy that people have fallen in love with my music,” said the jiti maker.
The artist’s undeniable romance with the afro-fusion genre can be captured in the fact that he has so far worked on five albums which are yet to be recorded.
“ financial barriers are delaying much of the progress, I have since penned about 5 albums which are ready and ripe for recording but I am  yet to as I am still working on logistics.
“ it is unfortunate that we have been hit by a bad season this year, I was expecting to get some crop yields from the maize farming project I have but hopes are now low given the drought we are experiencing,” said Samwa.
Among some of his hit song videos is “ Ndakamuona ndichifamba” and “ Kuromba” which are superby expressions of native love and cultural issues.

ShowBiz Reflections

Celebrate youngsters in music for National Youth Day.

By Daniel Chigunwe 
As we commemorate the National Youth today this week it must also be taken into account that several youngsters from the marginalized communities who have found a talent and passion in the entertainment industry have bemoaned lack of support to further their art career which has become the largest employment of our many youths in Zimbabwe.
It can be agreed upon that several large numbers of the unemployed youth today have traded their diplomas, degree and academic certificate for the studio, guitar, drum and keyboard and are spending most of their time in studios creating and recording music.
However, few eyes have noticed the growth of this entertainment world and the many who have seen it have simply given no damn about it leaving the poor but talented youths at the mercy of a few committed individual figures.
“It is such a sad thing that the youth in the entertainment sector are being neglected, despite our calls to different government officials and business moguls to assist us in fully establishing ourselves we have not found any rescue.
“Our studio here is home to many youths in the province, who are trying to find a meaning of life at a time when there are no jobs, instead of turning to violence, robbery, theft and any other criminal activities the youths come here to do music,” said Jussy Kumbukani of the Bush Killer Studio.
Much of the efforts by these youths have remained stagnant with publicity and airplay being the main hindrance.
“It is sad that much of the work that these artists are working on have not left the studios to make an impact in the showbiz industry or general lives of people despite reflecting the realities in the communities were the come from.
“ There music is excellent but we wonder why they fail to get airplay, even the mainstream media has a tendency of ignoring some of these upcoming artists in the remote areas,” said Abraham Maposa who has promised to devote some time and efforts towards assisting the youth.
The Unemployed Youth Organisation (UYO) has also reiterated the same sentiments towards the elevation of the lives of youths in arts, “ we also feel that they should be a portion of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that must be channeled towards these youths,” said Austin Nyakupinda

Sunday ShowBiz News

Mbire -  the rebirth of Afrojazz

By Daniel Chigunwe

Down in the Dande Valley of Mashonaland Central echo es the vocals and guitar strings of a salient, talented, jet-rising Afro Jazz musician.

Much have been penned about development and the rise matrix of Mbire with such significant political names including Douglas Karoro, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and Senator Monica Mavhunga but little has of late been celebrated on the showbiz sector from the Dande area.
The entrance of Liberty Gwishiri of Mushumbi trading on the entertainment billboard as Sir VeMagitare has proved that Mbire is set to be a jewel of reckon on the music sector too.
This week ShowBiz Times caught up with the afro jazz artists who recently charmed the First Lady at the World Rural Women’s Day celebrations that were held in Mbire.
“Sir VeMagitare is an Afro-jazz artists who is hailing from the education sector as I am a teacher by profession which is also how I earned the trade name. I started way back during my high school hey days when I did my first single in 2008 though back then I was still more in the RnB genre.
Though not originally born and bred in Dande, the artists says he now identifies himself with Mavhuradonha Range as home, “ KuDande kubasa but it is now like I am home ndokwandinopedza nguva ndiri uyezve mhanzi yangu started maturing when I was here and the people here have fallen in love with my art works,”.
“Between the years 2012 and 2015 I was privileged to get an opportunity as front man of a Morgzin Jazz band which was formed at Morgan Zintec College and in 2016 I started my solo career and I transformed my music largely into Afro-Jazz using the skills I had obtained from the band,” narrated Gwishiri.
“My achievements might not seem that big but to performing and charming the First Lady at the women’s day commemorations was like a dream come true, I sang a song titled, “Mudzimai Paruzevha”. I also did a stage performance at World Teachers Day held in Mbire last year.
“Also last year I composed and performed a song entitled ‘Smart Muropa’ which suited well with the program that was being run by National Aids Council,”
To prove that he is a force to reckon in the showbiz sector, Sir VeMagirae has courted the attention of music icons like Pah Chihera and Terry Africa.
“I am working on an album which is at its final stages carrying songs like Mudzimai Paruzevha, Nyarawo, Gitare featuring Pah Chihera and Terry. The album tackles all the social challenges we face in our daily lives.
“I feel Afrojazz is a genre with a long span and mostly it is educative. What makes my music unique from other recognized figures is I always try to be original as I am inspired by matters that I live and come across in my day to day life,”
What makes the story of this artist captivating, intriguing and interesting is the idea of growing his works  whilst based in a place which does not provide all the necessities of the showbiz industry, which makes his narration a work of courage.
“ I am facing a number of limitations since our area is a bit remote especially when it comes to aspects of my music industry. It is even difficult to get recognized and promoters. There are no enough platforms to perfom and showcase my works, hakutoitwe mashows acho.
“ the other challenge is air play, tikasiya maCDs edu kuti azoridzwawo they are being kept in libraries, and for a person like me as far as  Dande its painful to do follow ups. Nevertheless I thank the people of Dande for the love and support they have given me though not financially but I really appreciate their passion for my music because it gives me the power to keep on moving,” said Sir VeMagitare.

Arts with Uncle Dee

Artist searches Daisy’s mind in Tuku tribute song

By Daniel Chigunwe

Mashonaland Central based upcoming reggae and dancehall artist Brianmore “Ding” Chipara affectionately known as Bondanga has dropped a tribute song for the late music icon Dr Oliver Mutukudzi.
In a song titled “Hona” which has already started to make waves on YouTube, the artist goes through the mind of the late musician’s wife, Daisy, mourning in tears of loneliness.
The Daisy persona and lyrics blended with the jazz beats invokes hearty pathos.
“I did this tribute song for the late music godfather however mainly focusing on what could be going on in the mind of the now widow Daisy.
“Also I tried to fuse my lyrics with Tuku’s songs like Neria, Rufu Ndimadzongonyodze, Kuteya Nzou Nerive.
“In ‘Hona’ I try to express Daisy’s call for the now late to look back at the hole and wound that he has left in her life, I know these are not the best times for Tuku’s wife”said Ding.
The artist said Mash Central artists should have felt the burdensome need to record more tribute song for the national hero who was laid in Madziva communal lands.
“Having listened to all the tribute songs that were recorded in honour of Tuku, I feel as a province we should have done more for Samanyanga who hailed from this Kore Kore province,” added Bondanga.
Several young artists have dropped tributes and among them, Jah Signal, Garry Tight, Tock Vibes and Killer T

Sport News

Former footballer remembers the ghetto

By Lawrence Chitumba

United Kingdom based former footballer,Hermish Rukani recently donated a soccer kit to his former playmates who are now playing social soccer.
Rukani who hails from the ghetto of Chipadze township in  Bindura showed the World that although he is now living abroad with all the luxuries his heart will always be in the ghetto with his friends. "Home is best and my heart is always here although I am now living in
 the diaspora where life is better," he said.
"I am who I am today because of my friends who are my former playmates and this ghetto so I have great memories of my motherland.
His best friend and former playmate William Chamba was full of praises for his friend whom he said was different from other people who abandoned their friends and country as soon as they attain better statuses in life.
" Mukomana haana kumbokanganwa kwaakabva ari kuti rangarira zvasiyana nevamwe vanoti vakaenda vaenda," he said.
He said the donation will reignite their passion for the most beautiful game,soccer.

Arts with Uncle Dee

Gospel diva eyes Mahendere collaboration

By Daniel Chigunwe

Upcoming Harare gospel music diva of the Afro Praise Zim inter denominational gospel group Primrose Chikuwha said she is feeling inspired by the captivating power in her new debut album “Korona” which has gone as far as Botswana and South Africa.
In an interview with ShowBiz Times, the 25 year old artist said her six track album which she released this year is fast gaining traction in the gospel circles.
“It is a six track album with songs like “Korona” and “Denga” making the most hits to such an extent that many of my fans are shocked to know it’s a debut. Fans are so happy, both in Zimbabwe and those based in Botswana, Mozambique and S.A.
“So far we have sold all the 100 discs that we had managed to make, many fans are requesting through WhatsApp, Facebook, they just love the music”.
Chikuwha who in 2016 got airplay on ZBC Sport FM for the song “Makanaka Jesu” attributes her fast rise to the Malbereign gospel group, “I worked with the group Afro Praise Zim led by Tonderai Green Manatsa since 2015 and we have done several album projects up to 2018.
“Now in 2019 I have released my own debut, nevertheless I am still working simultaneously with the group on videos production whilst I am also making my videos this year. Manatsa is also my producer and manager,” said the artist.
The diva whose dream is to have a collaboration with heavyweights gospel giants Benjamin Dube and Michael Mahendere has managed to get a stage in churches like Forward In Faith, AFM and Glad Tidings.
“Challenges for now is that I am still at school so I am not getting 100% concentration in the industry. I am studying an Honours Degree in Geographical Information Science and Earth Observation with UZ, now in my final year.
“Hence as a student I face challenges in financing my career but that is not a limiting factor in pursuing my challenge,”
Like several female artists in the show biz, the diva bemoans the sexual predatory nature of certain stakeholders in the industry, “it is unfortunate that at one time I got linked to some radio djs who before we even got any further started asking for sexual favours and I decided to find other means of marketing my work,” lamented the diva.
“ I am inspired greatly by South African music, the likes of Benjamin Dube, Rebecca Mahlope, Sipho Makhabani and Joyous Celebration as well as our Zimbabwean, the Charambas, Mercy Mutsvene and Rumbi Zvirikuzhe,” added Chikuwha.

Arts with Uncle Dee

“Embrace multi-media platforms’, Black Panther urges artist

By Daniel Chigunwe

HipHop Rapper, music producer and Zimbabwean based in SA of the Black Panther music label has called upcoming  to embrace the many channels of distributing their work to create an organic audience especially in this era

where airplay does not come that easily.
Known by his trade name as Mc Kid, the rapper who hails from Kwekwe and thrives on irony by separating his trade name from his official identity said he has gone through ups and downs in the showbiz industry but the road is now smoothening
“ Mc Kid is an identity that I kind of embody when I am doing music, when I am in the studio, when I am interacting with artistic ways to express myself be it in every kind of talk, love money or relationships, economy, politics and society.
“ I started producing music as earlier as in 2009 when I was still learning how to make music and what I was doing between school and music  was not really for income or competition but was just a matter of expressing myself,”.
Eight years down the line the produce released his first mix tape called, ‘Kid Behind Bars’ and is quite happy with his new rise dimensions in the cut throat competition showbiz industry .
“ my first mix tape was released after 8 years in the game, it’s a 13 track album which has a lot of issues that I speak about and one of my hit song ‘Questions’ is part of that. I have been doing this for a while, making beats and producing my own music.
“Also within the stable which I am from called Black Panther Music which I formed alongside my brother and some of my friends I have managed to breed another music producer by the name Shepherd who makes beats and I have been able to mentor other people, the likes of Brandon Bells and Uncle Sam.
Mc Kid also produced Uncle Sam’s song called “Zvakabhadhara” which was a hit on Zim local radio stations.
Of interests is the producer’s view lenses on the new distribution and marketing trends characterising the showbiz sector, in which he also describes how the radio has been overrated in attaching significance to artists.
“On distribution, yes those works have to go to the radio, however for me I feel like the radio has been overrated. I have embraced the internet platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud and other forms of crowd based services which uploads music and then I share with friends on Instagram and Facebook
“In the long run what I have been doing is that being a writer, I have a blog called ‘Write Pen’ where I use words to write short stories, poems, academic work, literature and research. I have been developing it for the past 4 years and in the long run that platform should become a hub where there is multi-media content, audio, video, pictures and short films.
“Most of the art that people produce excludes people who have different preferences like those living with disabilities, such a platform will present an opportunity for those people to enjoy and engage with my work, and hence it broadens the audience,” said Kid.