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ACE music promoter, Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, yesterday hailed Star FM listeners for having faith in his brand.
Chipaz won the Lifetime Achievement gong.
Speaking to H-Metro, after his triumph, Chipaz said he was humbled by the honour.
“When I started this journey in 2004, I never thought that I would last in the game until 2014, when I celebrated my 10th anniversary.
“I started this promotion business at a time when it was not easy to be embraced by artists who were used to big names, which came before us. I only realised that I was destined for greater things in 2014 when we clocked a decade and I also dedicated it to my mentor, Philip Chiyangwa,” he said.
Chipaz, who chairs the Promoters Association of Zimbabwe, believes focus has taken him places.
“This award is a bit special to me because it means a lot to my team.
‘‘Of course, I was the first promoter to be awarded NAMA Promoter of the Year award and the first promoter to be awarded an honourary award in UK in 2023.
“However, this award is a bit special to me because listeners, who happen to be our fans, are the ones who voted for this.”
He added: ‘‘In this game, you need to come up with a number of concepts to ensure that you are remembered as a game-changer.
“I got most of the tips from the late Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi and Tongai Moyo and then introduced the Chipaz Bhir, which has become a favourite for many.
“At one point, I held four gigs in one day at Harare Sports Centre, where I hosted a Zim dancehall bash, Harare Gardens (gospel), Pamuzinda (Sungura) and Longcheng (Amapiano).”
He is also credited for hosting an array of international artists — Davido from Nigeria, Busy Signal (Jamaica), Luciano (Jamaica), Charlie Black (Jamaica), Romain Virgo (Jamaica), I Octane (Jamaica) — to Zimbabwe.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Alick Macheso, who won the Best Sungura award.
“We are grateful to Star FM listeners who made their verdict. I will celebrate the award in style with two shows this weekend — one in Mvurwi and another one at the Castle Tankard.
“We will celebrate with our fans who have made our work easier. We are singing for them and it’s a triumph when the same fans give their vote to us,” he said.
He was pitted against Mark Ngwazi, Sam Sando Hombe, Simon Mutambi and Romeo Gasa. Leo Magozz pocketed two gongs, the same as Feli Nandi.
Below is the full list of winners:
1) Song of The Year — Leo Magozz – Fire Emoji
2) Best Female Artist — Feli Nandi
3) Best Male Artist — Freeman
4) Best Hip Hop Song — Leo Magozz – Fire Emoji
5) Best R & B Song — Takura — Haarore
6) Best Newcomer — Saintfloew — Silas Mavende
7) Best House/Amapiano — Shasha —Ungowami
8) Best Zim In Diaspora — Quonfuzed — Kamunamato Kekubhawa
9) Best Producer — Nicky Genius — Lola
10) Best Gospel Song — Minister Michael Mahendere — Tangai Neni
11) Best Duo Or Group — Zimpraise — Ndiri Mweya
12) Best Zimdancehall Song — Freeman — Vakomana Ve Drip
13) Album Of The Year — Freeman — David and Goliath
14) Best Alternative — Feli Nandi — Ndoona Iwe
15) Best Collaboration — Leo Magozz and Friends — Fire Emoji
16) Best African Pop — Ishan feat Annato ria — Lola
17) Best Sungura Artist — Alick Macheso — Tinosvitswa Nashe
18) Lifetime Achievement Award — Patson “Chipaz” Chimbodza.
Online Reporter