Zimpapers Logo

Jah Prayzah

Showbiz Reporter
JEYS Marabini, Jah Prayzah, Winky D, Romeo Gasa and Alick Macheso will light up the Chibuku Road to Fame national finals taking place at Glamis Stadium in Harare today.

But before the experienced artistes take to the stage, 10 up-and-coming musical groups representing the country’s provinces will sing their hearts out for a $7 000 prize money and recording contract.

The first and second runners up will pocket $5 000 and $4 000 respectively.

Participating groups are Kupenya Stars (Bulawayo), Murinye Express (Midlands), Sunrise Jazz band (Manicaland), RJ Zvavapachena (Mashonaland Central), Zonda Mthakathi (Matabeleland South), Adequate Sounds (Harare), Mafaro Chete (Masvingo), African Roots (Mashonaland East), Jazz Crooners (Mashonaland West) and Shantani Band (Matabeleland North).
Kupenya Stars director Robson Murambiwa said the sungura band was raring to go, declaring that the group would bring the coveted prize to Bulawayo.

“We sing in diverse languages and this gives us an edge over other groups. We’re fully prepared as we’ve been rehearsing day and night to fine tune our act so we can bring the trophy to Bulawayo,” said Murambiwa.

Shantani – an afro fusion group – said they were ready to tackle the best in Harare.

“We’re more than ready. We’ve polished our performance from the one we did at the provincial finals. People in Harare should expect serious competition from us,” said the Hwange group’s leader  Zibusiso Ngwenya.

Zonda Mthakathi group leader Brian Ncube said: “We’ve participated at the national finals before and although we didn’t get any recognition, we learnt a lot.

“This time, we’re going to perform as men and make sure we leave a mark at national level.”