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Simbarashe Mutizwa and Bhuzwani Moyo Showbiz Reporters
SOME of the country’s top dancehall artistes will invade Gweru for a Zim dancehall summer splash being held at the Midlands Hotel on Saturday evening.The event which is part of the Chipaz nationwide tour will be headlined by Winky D, Guspy Warrior, Shinsoman, Freeman and Terminator. Up-and-coming artistes including Legion, Tatman, Pin 50, Judah B, Young Hype, Creator Fyah, Jah Blessed and Mr Flirt will also perform.

Show organiser, Patson Chimbodza of Chipaz promotions said the show was aimed at giving up-and-coming dancehall artistes an opportunity to share the stage with established artistes.

“The Gweru Summer Splash is mainly made up of boys from Gweru whom we are awarding the chance to learn from dancehall veterans on how they can improve their skills.

“Dancehall fans countrywide are used to watching artistes using back tracks for their shows, but veteran artistes like Winky D, Guspy Warrior and Freeman will be using live bands for their performances. We hope the up-and-coming artistes will learn and also use live bands for their performances,” he said.

Chimbodza said preparations to bring the dancehall tour to Bulawayo were under way after successful tours in Mutare, Harare and Kwekwe.

“We are planning to take the dancehall tour to Bulawayo as dancehall fans there have been starved of dancehall for a long time. We will bring them their favourite artistes so that they watch them perform live,” he said.

Meanwhile, Legendary Sounds DJ Smylie and Judgement Yard’s DJ 2Bad will be in Bulawayo for performances at the Horizon Pub and Grill on Saturday evening.

But the fun in Gweru begins tomorrow evening as revellers dance to the tunes of energetic and soulful Afro contemporary artiste, Peace Ndlovu, popularly known as BaShupi.

The Harare-based musician teams up with Gweru’s emerging talent, Legion at the must-attend show to be hosted by Midlands Hotel.

Completing the cast of the entertainment menu are a number of new local acts from the City of Progress to give fans variety in entertainment value.

BaShupi, is fast establishing himself as a household name in Zimbabwe’s music circles.

In the past, the Wemamonya hit maker, has collaborated with Souljah Love and P Kay on different singles. He will be performing songs from his 10-track album Dura.

“I have previously collaborated with Souljah Love and other artistes like Simba Tagz and P Kay on a number of singles. I am promising my fans a thrilling performance from my 10-track album titled Dura which literally means everything. A dura (granary) stores everything for the home, so in this album I’ve combined various genres such as reggae and contemporary beats to cater for the tastes of different people,” he said.

After Gweru he takes his act to Chimanimani and Bindura.

BaShupi recently produced videos for his two hits, Muridzo and MaOne which are enjoying massive airplay on ZTV, radio and YouTube.

He said: “I am thrilled that two of my tracks are enjoying fair airplay on radio and TV. I am now working towards producing a video album for Dura. I am putting final touches on the video album and it should be out soon.”

Legion, born Wilton Doba 24 years ago, is one emerging talent who is here to stay.

The young dancehall artiste is famed for his hit, Mafiriji paKadoma, a rendition of Winky D’s Mafeelings Pamangoma.

Fans should expect nothing but fireworks when Legion takes to the stage as he is expected to belt out his latest track, Mapostori and Mapurisa.