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In direct contrast, Harare has also become a second home to many a Jamaican artiste.
Several South African artistes have frequented Bulawayo from back in the day. These includes Soul Brothers, Brenda Fassie, Lucky Dube, Dan Tshanda and Arthur Mafokathe.
However, South African disc jockeys have not been left out in the “great trek” to Bulawayo. A number of seasoned South African DJs have also made strides to get closer to their Zimbabwean fans.

Some of the leading spinners are DJ Zinhle, DJ Cyndo, Tira, Mono T, Cleo, Kent, Black Coffee, Waxxy, the list is endless.
Although they have proved to be popular, their performances have been met with mixed feelings by fans in the city.
Most music fans seem not to get the gist or what to expect from an international disc jockey.

It is sad to note that a number of times most of these DJs are upstaged by local spinners who strive to prove their mettle with the “renowned” stars.
A number of local DJs have made headlines for the wrong reasons after being booed offstage by fans after a mediocre performance. Revered South Africa’s producer and turntables master, DJ Cleo, disappointed his loyal  fans in 2009 prompting them to throw missiles on stage as they could not stomach such a performance from an award-winning artiste.

In September last year one of South Africa’s female spinners DJ Zinhle was upstaged by local drumming outfit Djembe Monks after she failed to play it well on the decks.
Only a fortnight ago Euphonic disappointed the majority of fans that had turned up for the gig as they struggled to keep revellers on the dance floor. 
What is expected from a DJ? What is the difference between local and international spinners?

Saturday Leisure talked to some music fans at the Euphonic show held at upmarket pub and restaurant, Horizon, last Saturday and most of them highlighted that they did not understand the concept of bringing a DJ to perform all night long.
Zibusiso Ncube said as much as he loved music he sometimes could not differentiate a local and a foreign spinner.

“It is not a bad idea to host a foreign DJ but it is the performance that we would have come for.
“He must show great expertise and play us some of his or her best mixes rather than the usual tracks that can be played by our own local DJs that we dance to in the clubs everyday.

“There must be a difference, we are not just passive music lovers but we would have gone to hear and dance to the best music mixes,” said Ncube.
Nomvulo Sibanda said when she parts with her cash to see a foreign DJ in action she expects to have a memorable time that would always remain etched in her mind.
“When I go out to see an international DJ I expect to be blown away, to enjoy and hear some of the best music which local DJs do not play everyday,” she said.

One of Bulawayo’s DJs of the moment, DJ Mzoe, said the only difference between local and foreign spinners is that the majority of them had their own tracks which gave them an advantage.

“If you look at it closely you will notice that the majority of international DJs have their own tracks which are very popular with the audiences.
“As a result they have an advantage over us as they will not only mix and play music from other artistes but will also get the chance of performing their own tracks,” said the 2011 Miller DJ of the year winner.

He also took a swipe at local people who do not support their own artistes.
“If local DJs were to organise a show, you will see that only a handful of people will  attend because they look down upon us,” he said.

Another reveller Nomathamsanqa Gumede took a swipe at local promoters whom she accused of hosting artistes who failed to live up to their billing and shortchanging fans.

“It is not all foreign DJs who should come and perform in the country. Promoters             should critically look at their success rate back in their country before they come here because we pay to see them on stage and it’s disappointing to go back home bored after a show,” she said.