Dancehall Africa

Tag: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe: Young Magacha Takes Dancehall to Church
Tinashe Magacha’s latest album “Mvura Ngainaye” shows that the man has what it takes to stand his ground on the gospel scene. His dancehall style is rare in the gospel music terrain and his lyrics are touching. Brother to popular gospel music icon Sabastian Magacha, Tinashe has vowed to stand firm with his own style.
The title-track acknowledges and appreciates the purpose of water in our lives and it is taken as the solution that God provides in different situations in people’s lives. Dancehall music is rare in churches, yet there are many Christian fans who love the genre and the album comes to quench their thirst.
Magacha introduced himself on the music industry with his first single “Weminana”, which received less attention because people are yet to understand his touch and he hopes this album will push him to greater heights. “People are responding very well and are even surprised as well as excited. People did not expect me to come up with an album,” Magacha said.
Fans are still trying to get a grip of Magacha’s music and understand him as a gospel-dancehall musician and some are excited to see Sabastian’s young brother coming up with a different beat.
November 4, 2015
Zimbabwe: Student in Court for Modelling Without Underwear
A Harare Polytechnic College student, who made headlines last week after images were leaked of her flashing her privates at adjudicators during a beauty pageant, appeared in court Monday.
A Zimbabwean college student who allegedly took part in a modelling contest without any underwear has appeared in court in the capital Harare, state media reported on Tuesday.
Panashe Zhaware, 21, is alleged to have walked the ramp in a full-length fuchsia pink dress with a revealing split all the way up the front. Photos surfaced this week of the Harare Polytechnic student at the event, which was apparently held at the end of last term in July.
The official Herald newspaper said that Zhaware “intentionally wore her evening gown without her undergarments”.
“It is the state’s case that the incident was captured on camera,” the Herald said.
The student has been charged with public indecency and was granted $100 bail at a court appearance on Monday.
She denied the allegations.
Local tabloid H-Metro said in a report at the weekend that the principal of the polytechnic, Tafadzwa Mundondo, and nine other models had also been taken in for questioning, as had the organisers of the pageant.
Mundondo said he was not involved in any way, according to H-Metro.
“That was a function in July and we have not been aware [of the indecent exposure]. It was a students’ function and we had nothing to do with it. They inform us of what they will be doing. This is one of the isolated cases that happened at the college,” he told the paper.
There were unconfirmed reports that the other nine models also wore no underwear after being told to take off their pants “to catwalk properly on the ramp”. There were also claims that photos of other students were deleted.
Zhaware has been told not to interfere with state witnesses and to stay at the address given to police, the Herald said
October 14, 2015
Zimbabwe: Musicians to Honour Tongai Moyo
All is now in place for the annual Dhewa Commemoration shows to celebrate the life of the late sungura musician Tongai Moyo. The shows will take place over two weekends in Harare, Chinhoyi, Kwekwe and Kadoma. Peter Moyo will join hands with musicians such as Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu, Tocky Vibes, Seh Calaz and Killer T for the shows.
In separate interviews, the musicians concurred that Tongai, who was popularly known as Dhewa, was a gifted musician and they would celebrate his life in a big way. Suluman Chimbetu, through his publicist Joe Nyamungoma, said Dhewa was one of the musicians that inspired many young artistes. “He has inspired a number of musicians in the country and his life is worth celebrating,” said Nyamungoma.
Kinna a dancehall musician said he was happy to be one of the musicians who will perform at the commemorations. “I did not work with him (Dhewa) but I like his music. We need to respect our elders in the music industry,” he said.
Jah Prayzah, through his manager Keen Mushapaidze, said he was happy to be part of this year’s commemorations and promised to give his best. Peter said they have decided to have the commemorations running for two weeks due to demand from Utakataka express fans.
“For the past years fans have been complaining of commemorations in a few cities, so this year we want to satisfy our fans from different areas hence we will be moving from Harare , Chinhoyi, Kwekwe and Kadoma,” he said.
Peter also hailed different artistes who have pledged to perform on the commemorations.
“Musicians from different genres will be performing. We are starting with a commemoration party to be held on Thursday at Dandaro Inn in the capital where different artists will converge. On Friday we are going to have Zimdancehall versus sungura affair during the commemoration shows at Mushandirapamwe in the capital and at CSC in Chinhoyi,” he said.
They will wrap up the first commemorations with a family show at the Jongwe Corner where contemporary musician Jah Prayzah and Jean Masters will also perform. The “Young Igwe” as he is affectionately known, thanked his father’s fans who have trusted and stood with him since Dhewa’s death. He also thanked his own fans who have accepted him since he took over Utakataka Express.
“The road has not been a bed of roses but I would like to thank everyone who has stood with me since the passing on of my father. My fans are mixed since some are my late father’s loyal fans and some are my own fans who have been supporting me,” he said.
“I am happy that the full band Utakataka Express that my father left is now intact with everyone now with one goal to continue building the brand and taking it to another level. We are happy to work together and we are glad other musicians are supporting us.” Dhewa rose to fame in the late 1990s and hits such as “Samanyemba”, “Naye”, “Muchina Muhombe” and “Ndazvimba Mapapu” among others catapulted him to national, regional and international fame.
He released 14 albums in a career spanning over two decades. He succumbed to non Hodgkin’s lymphoma at St Anne’s Hospital on the evening of October 15, 2011 in Harare.
October 14, 2015
[Zimbabwe] All Set for Face of Kariba
Preparations for the inaugural Face of Kariba scheduled for this weekend at Kariba Country Club have gathered momentum. The beauty pageant which will see more than 10 models vying for the coveted title is being organised by Kariba Youth in Business Trust. Show organiser Alois Chimbangu said the pageant was expected to empower and create opportunities for the youths in Kariba.
“This is the beginning of an awakening giant that will not only provide for us but change lives of many young people in Kariba so that they can live life equally with those in other towns,” he said.
Chimbangu said beauty pageants promote tourism.
“I see Kariba as a virgin market so this is a golden opportunity for business people in and outside the town to tap the market through our platform. It has a lot of unheralded beauty of which after crowning the winner, she will not only represent the town through her beauty but will also market the areas too,” said Chimbangu.
He said there will be lots of entertainment line up on the night.
The Queen will walk away with a scholarship secured by the trust from the Mirror, a renowned organisation that promotes black intellectual beauty in Zimbabwe. Fans will be entertained by upcoming Zim dancehall artist Power Rasta who is also from Kariba and IKONIK crew while the event will be sponsored by CUT hotel, Size 4, Designer Closet and LETEEZ Fashions.and many others.
Kariba Youth in Business Trust has for the past months demonstrated how young people can be useful ambassadors of their small towns through starting their own businesses.
December 17, 2014
[Gossip] Zimbabwean media accuses top musician, Jah Prayzah of stealing Samini’s song
NewZimbabwe.com has accused award-winning Zimbabwean singer, Jah Prayzah of ‘stealing’ Samini’s hit song ‘Samini’. According to the report, the singer stole the song off his Tsviriyo album passing it off as his own and grabbing several accolades from its appeal.The song Sisi Makachena released in 2013 is, in fact, originally a composition by Ghanaian musician Emmanuel Samini, who released his hit song in 2007.
Entitled Samini, the original track is meant to announce a change of name in the artiste’s stage name – from Batman to Samini – and declares that he is here in his new identity to entertain his fans. It was a Ghanaian favourite when it was released back in the middle of the last decade and receiving national airplay and appeal.
Jah Prayzah’s stolen version celebrates a woman who is dressed smartly and entices him; a woman even admired by his relatives as a potential daughter-in-law. While the meaning of the songs is different, Jah Prayzah pilfered the arrangement of the song and the harmonies, complete with background chants and passed them off as his own.
December 17, 2014
Zimbabwe: Buffalo Souljah Up in Arms – Zim Does Not Value My Efforts – Why Only Kirsty, Chidzonga?
South African-based dancehall star Buffalo Souljah, real name Thabani Ndlovu, broke his own record over the weekend when he bagged yet another Channel O Music Video Award in The Most Gifted Reggae Dancehall category. Winning against Basawine Orezi (Nigeria), Patoranking (Nigeria) and Shatta Wale (Ghana), he remains the only Zimbabwean to get 12 nominations at the regional awards and winning six times over the last 10 years.
Now the Mufakose-bred musician has embarked on a campaign to get recognition in the country and will be writing an open letter to the President.
In an interview with The Herald, Buffalo Souljah said he was not going to remain silent when he continues to be ignored despite raising the country’s flag in a discipline that has the same magnitude as the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Mwana asingachemi anofira mumbereko. I’m proudly Zimbabwean and have been bagging awards and raising the country’s flag for the last 10 years without any recognition from my country.
“I am marketing the country to over 50 million viewers across the continent and that is why I am requesting for the same acknowledgement that the likes of Kirsty Coventry and Munyaradzi Chidzonga have received in the past,” he said from his base in Mzansi.
While he posted his request on his Facebook page, Buffalo Souljah said his team was in the process of penning an official open letter to the President.
“It is hard to come out in the open here and say where you are from since there are always people who hate you for it. Because of that many others who are making it beyond our borders choose not to acknowledge their Zimbabwean roots or associate themselves with anything Zimbabwean,” he said.
Besides the prestigious Channel O Awards, he also takes pride in his Nigerian Sound City Viewer’s Choice Award and Africa Music Awards nomination under his belt.
He, however, said although some people think he permanently resides in South Africa, he is in Zimbabwe most of the time, visiting his mother in Budiriro or their rural home in Zvimba.
Meanwhile, Buffalo Souljah announced his retirement from music, signing out with a 23-track album, “The Chosen One”, last month.
He said after years of “hustling to stay relevant” he was now working behind the scenes and pushing upcoming artistes through his record label United States of Africa.
The stable is home to Vanessa (Queen Vee) Sibanda and Lil Wayne look-alike Antonio “Young Nucho” Kalembe from Angola, among others, and has Buffalo Souljah as producer.
His new accolade has not deterred the 34-year-old musician, who was discovered by the late Prince Tendai, from quitting music.
December 3, 2014
[Mp3] Buffalo Souljah_-_Da_Chosen_One

[download id=”1529″]
November 19, 2014
[Video] Langa Langa Remix Wayne Wonder, MC Dementor, Stonebwoy, Decordha, Nastou
Wayne Wonder, MC Dementor, Decordha, Stonebwoy on LANGALANGA Remix Shoot and Directed on Florida, New Jersey by Alexi Ju Nior Level7Films 2014
November 18, 2014
[News] Zimbabwe: The Soldier Does It Again
South Africa-based dancehall star Buffalo Soldier has scored big with his 12th nomination at the upcoming Channel O Music Video awards scheduled for November 29.
Again the only Zimbabwean in the regional music awards, he is vying for the Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall award for the song “Basawine Orezi” against Jesse Jaggz featuring Wizkid (Nigeria), Patoranking (Nigeria) and Shatta Wale (Ghana).
While he is excited about raising the Zimbabwean flag, he pleaded with locals to participate in their numbers and vote for him on the Channel O website.
“I would love to have my people to take charge like they do on the Big Brother Africa. I look at the awards as the music version of the African Cup of Nations. I have been waving the Zim flag out here since 2007 with videos airing on Mtv, Channel O, Trace Tv, Nigeria Sound City and Afrobeat Music Channel,” he said.
He said it was now up to the Zimbabwean media and those in different parts of the globe to support him as it was motivating to have his people back him.
Big Buff, as he is also known, said such support was the strong force behind the growth of other regional artistes who were enjoying massive airplay and success in other countries.
“There is always this stigma and hatred from my fellow artistes that are not OK with how I’m the only Zim artist who gets nominated.
But this is because I am consistent with my content. Each year we produce high quality budget music,” he said.
In that respect, the “Ezandla Phezulu” singer applauded locals for taking positive steps in producing good music.
He, however, said the secret to breaking onto the regional platform was to invest in quality videos also.
“I’ve said this before to our artistes. Our music production is sounding good but missing quality music videos that can stand against Nigerian artistes like Davido and P-Square,” he said.
He said it was the collective efforts from different sectors that would lead to the growth of the music industry, the essential stakeholder being the corporates that need to extend financial support.
“It takes money to pay for international collaborations and it is unfortunate that Zimbabwean corporates do not believe in sponsoring the local artist. This has led to the slow progress in our success in making a mark on the regional scene like what the Nigerians and South Africans have done,” he said
Of his 12 Channel O nominations, Buffalo Soldier has won five times. He also has the Nigerian Soundcity Viewers Choice Award under his belt
In terms of his visibility on the local entertainment scene he said he was disheartened by how local promoters were not booking him for local shows.
He has also not had any award nominations in the country.
“My team and I are planning to come home for a launch tour for my album this December. I want to thank some Zim radio stations that have been playing my music,” he said.
October 30, 2014
Zimbabwe: Dancehall Thugs Haunt Freeman
Is he a bad musician or unlucky performer? Zimdancehall chanter Freeman – real name Emegy Sylvester Chizanga – has become a prime target of hooliganism at big dancehall shows.
Usually, when he goes on stage during the big shows, missiles rain on Freeman.
It happened at Gwanzura Stadium, Harare Gardens and even in his backyard at Dzivaresekwa Stadium.
It happened again last weekend at Old Hararians Sports Club where Freeman was part of a contingent of local musicians sharing the stage with Jamaican chanter Kalado.
Although most of the missiles of the night were thrown at Kalado, Freeman got his share of cans and bottles when he was on stage.
In Kalado’s case fans were utterly dismayed by his poor performance and registered their displeasure through unacceptable dancehall hooliganism.
But Freeman’s performance was not bad and the missiles apparently came from his usual haters.
Freeman said the main reason for the violence was the hostility between various “clans” in Zimdancehall.
“Zimdancehall is infested with bad-minded people. There are always people who come to shows to cause violence simply because an artiste performing is not from their clan,” said Freeman.
“Just like what happened last weekend, there are people that come to the shows to cause commotion and they have targeted me at various shows.”
However, Freeman says he will not be deterred by the haters because he has become used to the culture of violence at dancehall shows.
“I will never leave the stage when haters start throwing cans because it is a sign of weakness on their part,” he said.
The Dangerzone leader said he is now taking the attack as part of his performances and he would not try to identify his haters because he is not alone in the predicament of dancehall hooliganism.
“The attack was not a problem for me because artistes get ‘caned’ these days. I actually expected it because that has become a part of Zim dancehall. If you go to a dance hall show and that does not happen then you are not in Zimbababwe. Winky D gets attacked and so does Soul Jah Love and many others.
Even visiting Jamaican Kalado got the cans so it is now part of dancehall culture.”
The incidents of violence persist mainly because show organisers and responsible security personnel at the events are not taking action against the perpetrators of violence.
When contacted for a comment on the latest incident, Kalado show promoter and Digital One boss Luther Pazvakavambwa seemed to be in denial over the issue.
At first he professed ignorance over the missile-throwing incidents despite being at the venue on the night.
When pressed further he said only a ‘reasonable’ number of cans and bottles had been thrown on stage.
“Well, cans were thrown but they were not that many. After all, Kalado himself thought people were throwing cans at him because they liked his performance,” he said before hanging up and then ignoring this reporter’s calls for the rest of the day.
September 20, 2014