Gasa to rock Mzansi 

By Daniel Chigunwe 
Sunguru musician Romeo Gasa of the Extra Valembe band is this Friday expected to perform at Mvurwi most popularly club Mzansi Lounge just a few weeks after several musicians have come to whet the appetite for more shows.
Gasa is one of the contemporary sungura musician who has brought a new flavor to the genre with his thematic songs on love and social life which touches on the lives of many ordinary folks and is coming at a time when the tobacco selling season is reaching its zenith with a high hype in town.
The musician is riding high after his recent video titled “Mr Brown” which is making waves in the sungura circles due to its rich love lyrics and recently he stunned fans with his performance at Cresta Jameson hotel.
Music promoter and Mzansi Lounge owner Prince Chipenda said he has specially brought Gasa as an offer for the tobacco farmers milling in the town to enjoy and shake off the dust from the fields.
“This time of the year we have many tobacco farmers who are also our friends and customers and they usually enjoy themselves once before returning to the fields till we see them next selling season so we try to bring them artists and shows so that they get to fully enjoy themselves,”
Mash Central journalists and brand ambassador for Mzansi Lounge, Simbarashe Sithole also said the coming of Gasa who will be performing alongside Ding is evidence that sungura music is the rhythm soul of the agrarian province.
“Yes we have Gasa on Mzansi on Friday the 17th of May and we are happy with the response of the fans towards the genre. Recently we had Alick Macheso who also rocked Mvurwi and Tatenda Pinjisi rocked Guruve so we have also seen it proper to bring Simbi Hombe to Mvurwi.
“Gasa is a man of the strings and drums who is dominating in the showbiz sector hence we expect fireworks,” he said.
Upcoming afro-fusion artist Brianmore ‘Ding” Chipara who set the stage alight during Peter Moyo performance is also expected to curtain raise for Gasa.

Arts News

Mzansi restoring the showbiz legacy

                                      

By Daniel Chigunwe

Mash Central, Mzansi Lounge has brought a new midas touch to the national showbiz arena at the same time also restoring the lost entertainment glory in the farm town of Mvurwi as well as bringing before the stage forgotten heroes.

The growing spirit of entertainment that has encircled the town has created memorable times and wetted the appetite for more exciting moments in the town which has seen Mzansi Lounge shows headlining mainstream papers like the NewsDay, Life & Style.

In a recent interview with the ShowBiz Times, journalist and brand ambassador of the Mzansi Lounge, Simbarashe Sithole said he is more driven by the need to return the forgotten artist on the stage as well as offer a platform for local upcoming artists to showcase their talent and get a springboard to make it higher in the entertainment circle.

“We are quite happy with the rising levels of the showbiz sector in our town of Mvurwi to which is my home as well. As a journalist passionate about his home and the future of entertainment I have partnered with local clubs in the province to work towards uplifting arts in our country.

“Also, we are keen to see that those artists who seem to have been buried by the new music trends have also acquired a stage and satiated the nolstagia in their fans. I am happy to say we have made meaningful strides towards that vision,” he said.

Mzansi has so far brought to limelight several artists among them  Andy Muridzo, Peter Moyo, Progress Chipfumo and recently hosted Wasu Dacoda and the Syndicate Girls.

Local artists have also managed to brush shoulder with heavy weights the likes of Innocent Samwa and Brianmore ‘Ding’ Chipara who recently staged a touching Tuku Tribute song during the Wasu dubbed show.

Meanwhile, Mzansi proprietor and music promoter Prince Chipende said there is a growing demand for more artists by the town and even earmarks to host big names like Jah Prazeh.

“We are experiencing a growing demand for shows from people and we have so far brought a number of artists to perform which has been profitable for many of them.

“I am confident very soon will also be able to woo bigger superstars the likes of Jah Prazeh,” he said.

 Samwa rocks Bindura brand ambassador ceremony

Entertainment Reporter

Mvurwi based Afro-fusion artist Innocent Samwa recently made a name after rocking the stage during an Econet award ceremony held in Bindura at Mayfair Lodge.

The artists said he was thrilled to showcase his music prowess during the Brand Ambassador Awards Program where he performed his hit jiti song, ‘Chikopokopo’,  'Akaromba' and 'Ndoda kufara' 

“I am overwhelmed with the recent performance that I did in Bindura where I was part of the workshop held by Econet.

“I had handed over my name to participate during entertainment time and when the stage time came I took people by surprise as no one knew that I was I am artist, I managed to perform a very impressing and interesting stage show as everyone came upfront dancing.

“Even way after the show I became a paragon of virtue, I got quite inspired by the confidence, esteem and support that I got from the fellow mates who were in attendance,” said Samwa.

Samwa who trades by the Richtary music label is one of the most upcoming afro-fusion artists who is currently working on videos for his album 'Mavambo'.

As the case with several upcoming artists, getting a stage and shows to perform is difficult in the showbiz sector yet it is one of the major factor for artists to have a chance to showcase their talents so as to attract promotions.

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