adminBongani Ndlovu and Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporters
FANS on Friday evening snubbed Sniper Storm’s show as a handful of revellers turned up at Club Forty-40 to see the dancehall star perform but Shinsoman had a full house at Horizon Pub and Grill on Saturday. About 30 people showed up for Sniper Storm. The self-proclaimed Musoja who was accompanied by his side-kick and up-and-coming dancehall artiste Legend Eli was however not discouraged.
The General, as Sniper is known in dancehall circles, went down memory lane performing his yesteryear hits that got him fame, including his 2003 hit song Hubinya which was well received. He sealed off his act with the fans’ favourites Wainira Musoja, Love Yemusoja and Kuvarira Mukati.
Speaking after the performance, the veteran dancehall artiste said he was not worried about the low turnout as his main purpose was to perform either to an empty or full venue.
His side-kick Legend seemed ecstatic even after the dismal turnout as he expressed gratitude to his fans. He got his chance to perform his only two popular songs Giroriya and Hakuna Kutamba Kwakadaro.
“Bulawayo is a great place where we have amazing support. I am humbled by the way the fans were singing to my tunes, a thing that I least expected on this show,” said the up-and-coming artiste.
At Palace Hotel, the much-hyped Jacob Moyana and Charles Sibanda and Ndolwane Super Sounds show was also marked by a low turnout, with less than 20 people attending.
It was reported that regular imbibers at the joint were asked to vacate the premises in the evening and when they wanted to re-enter, were made to pay $5.
By 11PM the writing was on the wall that the show would not record the high turnout that was expected. Even at the gate they reduced the entrance fee to $2 in a bid to attract customers. Sibanda belted out tracks like Donsa, Sunduza and Zethembe from the time when he was with Martin Sibanda.
He performed tracks like Azibuye Emasisweni, Inhlelo Zami and Amasiko from his solo career.
At 1AM Moyana went on stage and was accompanied by two skimpily dressed female dancers who would on occasion turn around and gyrate, especially when he sang his hit track Munotidako.
Moyana had the crowd in stitches with his Shona expressions that to the not-so-discerning ear were filled with sexual overtones.
At Horizon Pub and Grill, Mawayawaya hit-maker Shinsoman snubbed a pool party on Saturday afternoon but made it for the evening show.
His manager Peter Chiyangwa said: “We never got into any agreement with anyone concerning the afternoon party. What we know is that we were performing in the evening alongside DJ Merciless and in the said afternoon, we were having a show in Gweru.”
The dancehall artiste, born Romeo Anthony, shared the stage with rapper YOZ and dancehall chanter Merciless, all from Harare.
Opening the show was DJ Merciless who was exceptional as he prepared the crowd for dancehall father, Shinsoman.
The husky-voiced Shinsoman performed old and new hits that include, Mawayawaya, Mama Divante, I Love You Mama, Baby Help, Ndodiwa Manhi, Heavy Msambo, Ndanakirwa, Hatichabatika and Kutambudzika, a song that features self-proclaimed dancehall doctor Freeman.
As usual, he invited his side-kick YOZ Wenyu on stage to perform his two tracks Maduve Wangu and Tasangana Zvidakwa, songs that feature Shinsoman. The two delivered an excellent performance as they were joined by a number of fans on stage.
Online Reporter