of the biggest economies in Africa rivaling some of the economies in Europe and even surpassing some like Turkey but they never seem to be awe struck by foreign acts.
The reason I like about South Africans is that no matter how mediocre their music or sport is, they still root for it like no man’s business.
The pride and love for their country has given rise to appreciation and growth of local music.
In fact that spirit has rubbed on to our exiles in that country, who believe they are better off than their compatriots just because they are down south. I say this because hero worshiping by fly-by-night promoters and fans when foreign acts come to our country.
It reminds me of my youth days when I thought everything American or foreign was good as I had this mentality that I wasn’t good enough. In fact during those days I thought that Michael Jackson bleaching his skin and having plastic surgery was cool.
Our promoters whom we can’t curse, as it’s their money being used to bring these foreign artistes are letting us down due to their obsession with ordinary acts.
I hear Elephant Man is the next artiste coming to this country soon and as I was looking at his profile, he appears to be an ordinary artiste though he has his flashes of brilliance here and there.
Though a high-octane performer, all hyped up and full of energy as well as sleazy lyrics Elephant Man is just that, and to bring him here I think is a big gamble the promoters will feel in the long run.
Why bring in B rated artistes when the world is awash with A-listers who can really entertain the masses like what we saw when the great Beenie Man or Buju Banton did when they came here?
Up to now old timers still talk about the Bob Marley, Peter Gabriel as well as Tracy Chapman shows which have remained etched in their minds. Some have even forgotten that Maxi Priest or even Brick and Lace were here just last year.
Yes, we want tourists but for them to masquerade as serious musicians is a bit unfair to the music-starved public.
What I mean is some of these artistes are being brought here to make easy money for some fast thinking promoters who have this “kiya Kiya” mentality.
Our own dancehall icon Winky D is on a conquering mission in Babylon and is doing wonders in those parts of the world and word coming to these shores say the man is blazing them down in no ordinary way.
Messi WeReggae or Bigiman as Winky is affectionately known to his legion of fans was well received by audiences in Canada and the United States.
The tour began soon after landing in Dallas Texas on May 20 at 2 Kats Live, a venue that accommodates up to 400 and reports say it was packed to capacity.
Then without skipping a beat, together with Cee Jay Besa, a US based Zimbabwean musician of the Mutare fame they flew into Edmonton, Canada where an expectant crowd at Duggan Community Hall was all hyped up for the gig.
It’s high time for Zimbabwe to make its mark on the musical world with our own wonders. Senegal has done it with their Akon, whilst West African countries have also done it with their natives, check how Fela and Femi Kuti have put the Nigeria flag on the map and now 2face as well as the twins P Squared.
Locally Tuku could have done it or even Mukanya but it seems time and the dynamics of music are not on their side so new and young blood like Winky is needed. With much more exposure and experience I think Winky would be the first real musical superstar after Rozalla Miller, Rosalla would have made it but she was more like a one hit-wonder and after “Everybody is Free” not much was heard about her except mild tunes.
Now Winky is nearly there. Why don’t we give him all the support to make him even bigger rather than licking these foreign acts that want to behave like some small gods with cheeky demands.
Winky now has to be more consistent and make sure his music has much more crossover appeal and hope he is going to tame that great big Elephant during his show. Cee Jay told me there was this dude who was a sound engineer at their Toronto shows, who didn’t even understand even a single word Winky sang about, but was high over heels with his act- that’s what superstars are made of.
I know a lot of folks out there, don’t like Zimbabwe due to some reasons beyond us, but Winky is our ambassador and for good things to be said about us we have to show them what we can do. Let’s give Winky D all the support we can for I think he is one of the few musicians who can really take Zimbabwean music to another level internationally-they say prophets are not recognised in their own regions but with Winky it has to be different- he is our own. Chants can be sent to [email protected] or 07735 130 288

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