adminHarare Bureau
RENOWNED comedian Carl Joshua Ncube doesn’t shy away from controversy and he even admits it.
No one is safe from his satire – politicians, men of the cloth, fellow celebrities and businesspeople.Judging from his Book Café performance over the weekend, even he who is holier than thou, Jesus Christ, is now subject to his jokes.
Ncube, who was a guest performer at Tendai “Tehn Diamond” Nguni’s birthday celebrations, had jaws dropping when he threw in a controversial joke at the end of his act.
“Now Jesus was one of those guys who was easy going. Remember at that wedding when they ran out of wine and Mary came to Jesus saying ‘Jesus we have run out of wine,’ and he said ‘Woman, do not bother me before my appointed time’. I don’t normally like to do this but umm, Pihwai madrinks vasikana. Pihwai ma drinks vasikana (get drinks, girls). Zveku heaven tozozviona mangwana (We will discuss about heaven tomorrow),” he said mimicking “Madrinks” by Tehn Diamond and Junior Brown.
While the bulk of the crowd was left in stitches, there were a number of shocked faces in the audience.
“Artistes shouldn’t be censored but that’s blasphemous not funny. He is a good comedian but that Jesus joke was unnecessary. It seems Carl has now joined a breed of mostly international comedians that see nothing wrong in joking about religion,” said a patron identified as Mika.
Meanwhile, the “Be Amazing” birthday bash lived to its billing with scores braving the rains to support of the award winning rapper.
Fans were treated to top class performances by Ammara Brown, Trae Yung, So Profound, Marcques, Trevor Dongo and Madzitateguru, among others.
The gig was also marked by surprises with the birthday boy showcasing his Mbira playing prowess in a duet with Ammara Brown. It was his performance at the peak of the show that switched the party a gear up.
Tehn Diamond dished out most of the hits he did with Junior Brown and when fans thought they had seen it all, he performed his own, much to the amusement of the crowd.
True to his song Grown Up Kid his music presented a youthful yet vibrant feel that many attributed to experience in the industry.
He performed some of the songs from the upcoming album, The Perfect Tehn that showcased growth.
It was clear that he has given his music a Zimbabwean identity by deriving his lyrics from the urban African traditions and lifestyle.
This is a change from other hip hop artistes who find it fashionable to sing about superficial lifestyles they do not lead.
Tehn Diamond’s band members and producer Take Fizzo should also be commended for their up to scratch beats that sent the crowd dancing before even before the musician started singing.
His act also incorporated up-and-coming artistes that are promising to shake up the hip hop sector.
All eyes are on the musician who is eying a whopping $100,000 in revenue through music and his weekend act proved he is in the right direction.
Online Reporter