Fungisai gets BBC play-listing

Bruce Ndlovu
Controversial singer Fungisai Zvakavapano Mashavave has joined compatriot Winky D as the second Zimbabwean to be played on BBC after her song, Vanondibatirana, alongside dancehall chanter Killer T got play-listed on the station last week.Aï¿½ Aï¿½

The gospel songbird-cum-dancehall divaaï¿½ï¿½s award winning collaboration with the countryaï¿½ï¿½s hottest dancehall star received its first play on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Radio 1Extra on Sunday last week.

Getting airplay on the station has become a celebrated feat by African musicians, with South African rapper AKA flaunting the stationaï¿½ï¿½s play-listing of his hit song, Baddest, in December.

It remains to be seen whether Fungisaiaï¿½ï¿½s song will be as successful as Winky Daï¿½ï¿½s Disappear on the stationaï¿½ï¿½s charts and among listeners.

The Ninja Presidentaï¿½ï¿½s summer hit song from his Gafa Life Kickstape hit number one on the Destination Africa Top 5 hosted by DJ Edu on the station.

Despite the controversy from her collaboration with an artiste who seems to be at odds with her gospel roots, the song with Killer T has found favour with fans who connect with its compelling mixture of gospel lyricism and danceable dancehall rhythms.

aï¿½?As you can see, the inner person in me is battling the norms of society. Right from the onset, you would hear that I have performed with Bongo Maffin, I would perform with Luciano with all that smoke.

aï¿½?It has always been like that. It is not that easy but I have managed to say this is who I am and I hope with time people will love me for the person that I am, not the person they want me to be,aï¿½? said Fungisai explaining the collaboration.