Zimpapers Logo

Busy Signal

Showbiz Correspondent
JAMAICAN superstar Busy Signal yesterday evening touched down in Harare ahead of his performance with South Africa’s Busiswa during the Southern African Music Arts (SAMA) Festival in Bulawayo and the capital.

Busy Signal, who is known for the song Dreams of Brighter days and Busiswa of Gobisiqolo fame, will perform at the SAMA festival at the Large City hall car park this Friday and at the Glamis Arena in Harare on Saturday.

In Bulawayo, local artistes Winky D, Killer T, Cal_Vin, Sandra Ndebele, Mzoe 7, Tocky Vibes, Seh Calaz, Centre Party, DJ Liz, Madlela Skhobokhobo and Judgment Yard are also billed to perform at the event which will serve as a competition between dancehall and house music.

Y2K Promotions spokesperson Candice Mwakalyelye said Busy Signal wants to get a feel of Zimbabwe hence his early arrival.

“Usually artistes come a day before or on the day of the show without time to rest. He’s just here to relax and see what the country has to offer and meet the people. In Harare Busy Signal will go round to meet the ghetto youths and fans in the country. “On Thursday he’ll visit Victoria Falls before he touches down in Bulawayo in the evening for the show the following day,” said Mwakalyelye.

She said Busiswa will land in Bulawayo on Thursday.

Alexander Marapara of Y2K Promotions said three streets will be sealed off for the show in Bulawayo.

“On Thursday we shall set the stage and we’ll block the streets surrounding the Large City Hall. On the day of the show we want to take him and Busiswa to the high density suburbs such as Mzilikazi, Mpopoma and the like,” said Marapara.

Advance tickets are already available and have been pegged at $10 and $25 for VIPs. They are being sold at the Large City Hall, BAC Leisure and TOK Sports shop.

Y2K promotions is not a new name as this was the first music promotion company to facilitate the performance of most local acts in the UK.

The SAMA festival began in August 2009 and is aimed at promoting musicians with African origins, predominantly from Southern Africa. Zimbabwean acts that have previously headlined the SAMA Festival are Mafriq, Roki, Winky D, Sniper Storm, Shingai Shoniwa and The Noisettes.

This year’s UK festival was held in April and was oversubscribed. It featured performances from Oliver Mtukudzi, Winky D, Jah Prayzah and Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave.

The company is also popular as it keeps those abroad abreast with the latest music in Zimbabwe as well as news about their artistes by availing it on their website www.y2kpromotions.com.