Extra Large joins Dream Star train

Sophia Chese Arts Correspondent
Urban Grooves outfit Extra Large, who used to command a huge following about five years ago, are set to prove their mettle this weekend at the “Dream Star Zimbabwe” finals to be held at the 7Arts Theatre in the capital. The band that is fronted by uprising of duo Jimmy Mangezi and Norman Manwere is set to headline the talent search show finals alongside Leonard Mapfumo and a number of upcoming artistes.

In an interview, “Dream Star Zimbabwe” spokesperson Rumbidzai Matinanga said they are optimistic that Extra Large will deliver. “Those guys are still in the game. It’s just that these days other genres are a bit overshadowed by Zim dancehall but that does not mean other genres like urban grooves have died,

“As an organisation we want to give room to every artiste regardless of genres. In our previous shows we worked with Zim dancehall artistes like Kinnah and we feel we have also to give the opportunity to urban groovers to prove themselves,” she said.

“Extra Large made headlines with their hits which include “Maroja”, “Mai Linda” and “Aiwa Mukoma” which were laced with satirical humor. Organisers of the Dream Star Zimbabwe who bemoaned lack of sponsorship but applauded the Chinese Business Community said they are not going to stop the initiative.

“Sponsorship was a challenge but we are happy that the Chinese businesses and community supported this life changing initiative succeed not forgetting the outgoing Ambassador Lin Lin,” said Matinanga. This year’s edition saw the organisers moving to the country’s big towns including Mutare, Bulawayo, Chinhoyi among others but most of the finalists came from Bulawayo, Harare and Kwekwe were the organisers consider to have the best contestants.

“Although we travelled around Zimbabwe, for us Bulawayo, Kwekwe and Harare were the most impressive towns in terms of talent. Some that had potential to be stars crumbled with the heat of the semi-finals and those that shook off the nerves and were on point on the night made it through to the finals,” she said.