adminKumbirayi Shoniwa Entertainment Reporter
In a move which shows that dancehall music has finally come of age in Zimbabwe, the first ever Zimdancehall Awards ceremony will be held at the College of Music in Harare on 26 March.
The awards will not only seek to honour the artistes alone but also those involved in the whole dancehall industry including promoters, producers, DJ’s, the media, video producers and other stakeholders involved.
Categories include Best Artiste (male and female), Best Collaboration, Song of the year, Best Riddim, Young and Upcoming Artist (male and female), Best Video, Best Artiste Manager Best Artiste from outside Harare and Legend of Zim dancehall among others.
The event will be graced by Government officials, corporations,media personalities, seasoned musicians from other genres, music and arts patrons as well as NGO’s that work with youth-related issues.
A team of co-ordinators has been announced to steer the event including Oscar Pambuka (patron), Phinias Mushayi, Gibson Chitiga, Sekayi Ngodo and Wilson Mtetwa who is the fund-raising co-ordinator.
Speaking to The Herald Entertainment, one of the co-ordinators expressed excitement at hosting the inaugural dancehall event and urged the corporate world to give support to the initiative.
“The music has taken over the streets and the hearts of both the young and the old not only in Zim but also in the Diaspora.
“This has provided a positive opportunity to the mostly youthful artistes as they can now make a living from their musical talents,” said Mushayi.
The objectives of the awards ceremony is to reward artistes/producers for their effort and talent as well as to motivate upcoming artistes who can look forward to a career in the industry that is destined for further growth judging by it’s popularity.
Notable musicians who have made a mark include Winky D, Sniper Storm, Freeman, Seh Calaz, Soul Jah Love, Lady Squanda, Lady B, Shinsoman among a host of many others.
Dancehall originated from Jamaica and has been modified into a Zimbabwean form that has literally dominated the music scene over the past two years with some claiming that it has overtaken sungura and gospel as the most popular type of music in the country.
Online Reporter