Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
This year marks 25 years of discovering new music talent, and yet another record will be set at the 2025 Chibuku Road to Fame finals.
Known for producing stars from remote areas, this year’s preliminaries are now in full swing, although the format has undergone a slight change.
There has been a modification in how the preliminaries are being conducted to fast-track the programme.
“To make the competition even more exciting, the provincial finals have been consolidated, making them six in total. The joint provincial finals will feature 20 groups in total. The results for the first province to perform will be announced before moving on to the next provincial performances.
“From each provincial competition, winners will be selected. The top performers from these provincial finals will earn their spot in the national grand finale, where the country’s top ten will compete for the ultimate title,” reads part of the statement.
Using the same format, organisers have covered much ground since August 23, when the search started.
It is expected to run until October 4.
Last month, the event organisers began this year’s preliminaries by selecting representatives from Midlands and Mashonaland West simultaneously.
In Midlands, the Afrofusion outfit Core Vibes came first, while Ambassadors were voted second. The Sungura ensemble Ecossa Rhythms was voted third during the tight contest.
In Mashonaland West, All in One (Afrofusion), Boom Jazz (contemporary), and Nhapi Tapi (Afrofusion) emerged as the top three finalists.
On August 30, Chinotimba Stadium in Victoria Falls hosted the Matabeleland North provincial finals. The Afro-fusion group Simuniziva came out on top, while Abelifa The Inheritors secured second position with traditional jazz.
Zambezi Zambezi Fusion made it into the top three.
Last weekend, the Bulawayo and Matabeleland South finals were also held.
In Bulawayo, Dab Band (Afrofusion) emerged as overall winners, followed by Amani Pulse and Royal Band in second and third positions, respectively.
In Matabeleland South, Bolamba Culture Birds were voted winners, while the sungura outfit Mukanoni was voted second. In third position was Luduhambo Express, a talented sungura outfit from Beitbridge.
With the event organisers fast-tracking the preliminaries, they are now only left with Harare and Manicaland, and Mashonaland East before the main grand finale.
Running under the theme “25 Years of Discovering Talent,” the contest’s appeal has increased, with participants taking it seriously given the prize money at stake.
True to the theme, the prize money is worth the contest, which was initiated in 2001 as a means of giving exposure to musicians in remote areas. At the provincial level, sponsors are giving away US$2 500 as the first prize, while the second and third finalists receive US$1 500 and US$1 000, respectively.
After the provincials, the national winners will pocket US$15 000 plus a recording contract. The second and third finalists will receive US$10 000 and US$7 000, respectively.
This has heightened the level of competition, as groups are now investing heavily in this contest. A lot has improved, including wardrobe, choreography, and timekeeping, which are some of the prerequisites for winning the contest.
Some groups prioritise rehearsals, as the contest is now known for not only rewarding stars but also changing the lives of participants.
The overall US$15 000 prize money is enough to change the fortunes of winners, especially since they are starting from scratch regarding their expenses. Matabeleland North Afro-fusion outfit Kweseka Band went home US$15 000 richer at the 2024 Chibuku Road to Fame grand finale at Glamis Arena in Harare.
Hailing from Hwange, the group is made up of talented stars who are hungry for success.
The same is expected at this year’s event, coinciding with the contest’s silver jubilee.
A “battle of bands” is guaranteed as the countdown to the main event reaches its fever pitch.
Some of the previous winners include Black Face, Bopoma Stars, Munandi Express, Terry and Bliss, Hwambakwe Stars, Identity Band, Grade 2D, Romeo Gasa, among others
