adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
MUSICIANS in the city have lauded radio station ZiFM for giving them a platform to showcase their talent through shows such as the Bulawayo Top 10 Chart.
The radio station which celebrated two years of existence last week held celebrations in the city with DJs Kimble Rogers and Gibson Ncube steering the party at Club Eden.
The programmes, a chart show dubbed Bulawayo Top 10 Chart Show and The Zi Saturday Zone: Yo link to the City of Kings & Queens were introduced by the station last year to promote music from the city.
To date, the chart show, hosted by Ncube, has showcased more than 30 artistes from the city including The Real G, DJ Lava D featuring Mbo Mahocs, DJ Keitho, Kwabatsha, Khuxxman, Marius Keng, DJ Cooperman, Djembe Monks, Dingi Cash, Tha Kin, Klap, LA Josh & Duke Raider, Lady Thug, X-mile, DJ Face, Thandi Dlana, Alaina, Bob Skinner, Tramaine, Antivirus and Rudo Amor.
Hip hop artiste Calvin Nhliziyo, whose track Babengakholwa is sitting on the number one spot on the show said he was grateful for the show because his track was now receiving a fair share of airplay on other radio stations.
“The chart show is good because this is where I got my breakthrough as an artiste. Ever since I was played on the chart show, my track has been on other radio stations such as Star FM and Power FM,” he said.
Four-member hip hop group Tariq’s Crew whose track Tu Step is on the number five spot on the chart show said they were grateful to the show as it was their first step in getting recognition nationally.
“The show has helped us as people now know us and they recognise our music. We have had people come up to us with advice that we should engage in aggressive marketing of our music,” said Nkosithandile “Rap Genius” Ngwenya.
However, artistes such as Mcheznana have castigated the ZiFm chart show saying they were treating Bulawayo artistes as special cases.
“I do not see the purpose of a show that treats us as a special case. This is not a development, actually it’s a step backwards. We want to be on the charts nationally not in some corner,” he said.
Another artiste, Zibozizodwa is of the same view saying seasoned artistes were jostling for recognition on the chart show with up-and-coming artistes, showing that there was no growth in the entertainment industry.
Speaking through his manager, Michelle Madau, PoZee — one of the seasoned artistes who have featured on the chart show said the show was a noble programme, specifically for Bulawayo artistes.
Madau said up-and-coming artistes should up their game and produce quality music as other artistes have done on the chart show.
“It’s fair game for up-and-coming and seasoned musicians to be on one chart show. This will improve quality of music and up-and-coming artistes will know that they will be competing for votes with seasoned artistes,” said Madau.
Online Reporter