dyton mupawaenda
OBEY MAKAMURE, otherwise known as Tocky Vibes is one of the most talented musicians in Zimbabwe and has been a consistent artiste since he burst onto the scene in 2014.
He was a breath of fresh air as he came with a refreshingly different version of Zimdancehall at a time his colleagues were dishing out vulgar songs.
Most people fell in love with his hustle and his music was being played in many homes, especially in the ghetto where people relate to his message.
Inevitably he became a favourite for shows, both public and private gatherings. He has remained a humble, ordinary musician over the years.
Tocky Vibes is one of the most watched Zimbabwean musicians on the popular music video channel, You Tube with millions of views — he had breached the 10 million mark within three years of making it onto the music scene.
You Tube has been useful in spreading his work globally and it has also been one of the reasons he is a regular performer, particularly in the United Kingdom.
However, he is also among those artistes who have not achieved what they ought to have materially for one reason or the other.
It is globally accepted that many talented people, across all fields, do not fulfil their potential and the blame has been placed on the environment they operate in.
Blame is, thus, placed on the people who surround these talented people. While he is one of the cleanest musicians lyrically, Tocky Vibes has found himself battling contractual issues way too often and this started way back since 2014.
He has been a no-show on many occasions and ended up clashing with promoters of the events, would have felt short-changed while, on the other hand, he would be feeling the promoters are attempting to exploit him.
The latest fallout involves a South African music promoter Royce Mapaike.
The two had entered into an agreement that the promoter would bankroll Tocky’s video shoots and in return the musician would then perform two shows.
It is now claimed that Tocky was involved in a hide and seek game with the South African police at the weekend while there are reports that his passport has now been flagged and if he decides to visit the neighbouring country.
Tocky’s camp is singing a different tune, accusing Mapaike of grandstanding and denying or downplaying the claims he made against the artist. The truth might only come from a legal process due to the counter accusations.
What is however, clear is that Tocky Vibes needs a strong legal mind in his camp to ensure that these incidents do not derail or ruin his career.
Talent alone is not enough and Tocky Vibes needs to surround himself with useful people.
Only then will he fulfil his potential.
Online Reporter