Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
TWO Afro-Fusion groups from the Midlands and Mashonaland Central provinces have secured spots in the Chibuku Road to Fame (CRTF) national finals set for next month.
The Cousins, from Midlands and Shanty Town, representing Mashonaland Central, triumphed in their respective provincial finals held over the weekend and will join Fugees from Matabeleland South and The Outlaws from Harare, who qualified last weekend.
In Mashonaland Central, the provincial finals took place at Club 007 in Glendale, where Shanty Town outperformed rivals Crazy 8, an Afro-fusion group, and sungura band Darwin Stars, who took second and third place respectively.
Meanwhile, in the Midlands, The Cousins won the top spot at Level 21 Bar in Zvishavane, beating Afro-Fusion group Core Vybs and Sungura outfit Shurugwi Stars, who were second and third. The provincial winners walked away with US$2 500, while the runners-up received US$1 500 and US$1 000 respectively.
This Saturday, the provincial finals of the competition for emerging musicians will continue in Mashonaland East at The Place in Chivhu and in Bulawayo at koNjabulo Elangeni Beerhall.
Matabeleland North and Manicaland will host their finals on October 19 at Lwendulu Beerhall in Hwange and Mandel Bar in Mutare. The provincial rounds will conclude on October 26 with Mashonaland West at Hustlers Bar in Murombedzi and Masvingo at Chihambakwe Beerhall in Triangle.
In the national finals, the winner will take home US$15 000 and a recording contract. The second and third-placed acts will earn US$10 000 and US$7 500 respectively.
This year’s musical search competition is being held under the theme “Bvirarira, Tshay’iNgoma”.
@mthabisi_mthire
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