adminHowever, one of the founding members of the group, Jonas Kasamba, is adamant that the group is going to be the next best thing in the entertainment circles.
The Congolese, who left his country in the 1990s to become a vital cog in the Orchestra Mberikwazvo, said the decision to leave their former paymaster Alick Macheso did not come overnight.
“This is a massive project and it did not come overnight. It needed careful planning and we are not leaving any stone unturned because we want this to be a success,” he said.
The group claimed that they mooted the idea of defecting more than 10 months ago.
“We want to grow and start our own things. We will certainly be a force to reckon with in the music industry,” he said.
The group will mark their grand entrance on the music industry with the launch of an album “Ndozviripo”, at a show dubbed “Rebels Ignited”, at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex on July 12.
The show will act as a litmus test for the ambitious group. It will either break or make the music outfit.
What is ironic about the show is the choice of the venue.
Over the years, Alick Macheso has made the venue his fortress. It is the venue that has shaped Macheso’s music career. Each time he performs at the venue, he is guaranteed a full house.
Is it that the rebels are trying to snatch Macheso’’s fan base?
Kasamba, who claims to have the backing of several music promoters in the country, said there was nothing sinister about their plans and choice of venue.
“Most of us are based in Chitungwiza, so there is nothing wrong about having our first show in the town,” he said.
Zimbabwe music is littered with history of defections, betrayal and backstabbing. Others do it for genuine desire to grow and others to “fix” their former paymasters.
Some defectors have gone on to become household names in the music industry while some have sunk into oblivion.
The late System Tazvida, who parted ways with The Khiama Boys to form Chazezesa Challengers, is one man who registered much success.
Tazvida went on to revolutionise his own sound and churned out hits such as “Smoko”, “Pfuma Yababa”, “Anodyiwa Haataure” and “Foromani”.
The late Paul Matavire left Jairos Jiri Band to form the Hit Machine and also enjoyed a purple patch in his career.
Alick Macheso went on to be crowned the “King of Sungura” after hebroke away from the Khiama Boys fronted by Nicholas Zakaria.
Will Extra Kwazvose live up to its billing? Only time will tell.
Online Reporter