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Mathew Masinge and Maria Chiguvari
LEADING music promoter, Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza has admitted this year’s Harare Cup Clash was flawed after wide criticism from fans.
Chipaz has been behind a number of Zimdancehall events including the famous 2014 Sting dating back to the early 2000s.
The main debate has been centred on how the artists were judged, the riddim used, and the time afforded to each contestant on stage.
Some of the critics have gone all the way to suggest that a proper panel of judges should be assigned while the hosts DJ Fantan, Etherton B, and Godfatha Templeman must be changed or at least be rotated.
The trio has been accused of favouritism towards artists bred in Mbare or who they have worked with before.
Some sections feel one of the contestants, Jah Soft from Domboshava, was eliminated unfairly for lack of association.
Others suggest the losing finalist in the men’s category, Khonangale, who came all the way from Bulawayo was also unfairly dismissed.
In an interview with H-Metro, Chipaz welcomed the constructive criticism.
“For me winning is a bonus but the fact that an unknown artist is now being mentioned in all corners is a success story for the industry.
“We are a brand that is open to constructive criticism on how to stage a better clash in the future.
“We have no problems with changing presenters because our main thrust is to nurture more talent,” said Chipaz.
He said it’s part of the event’s culture that the fans judge the artists based on their performances.
“Unfortunately, there is only one winner and for this year’s competition we planned well, it was one of the most attended and peaceful.
“As is the culture, we allow the audience in attendance to pass their judgment and not those watching on social media platforms.
“Yes, this might sound odd but we are open to more suggestions since no one is 100 percent accurate,” he said.
In a wide spread social media post, chanter Seh Calaz urged organisers to introduce preliminary rounds before the main event.
“Registering, contesting, and qualifying zvofanha kuitwa a month before chero vakaita 500 ma yuts but potsvagiwa shasha, eliminating kana 450. Vanenge vasara ndovanoimba day reshow.
“They should introduce different emcees, producer, Djs and new judges on every set,” posted Seh Calaz on his Facebook post.
Seh Calaz also pointed that organizers should correctly put it out that the winner only rules the clash, not the genre.
“I think ma Cup clash ese anotevera panofanirwa kujekeswa kuti ahwina mukombe ndiye mambo wekudhiri remaclash regore nenguva iyoyo not zimdancehall king,” added the post.
Etherton B also added his voice saying.
“Nyaya ya Jah Soft iri kundishugurudza, inotoda kugadziriswa,” he wrote in a post directed to Godfatha Templeman.
Prominent Zimdancehall producer, DJ Fantan felt everything was done by the book and the critics are just biased.
“In regards to the Jah Soft issue, I think the fans are just biased while there is footage to show who outshined who.
“There has been a lot misunderstanding with some claiming the youngster was cheated.
“I even posted a video showing how he won against a number of artists and the same fans were the judges.
“At the end, he was knocked by Gina Marina who stole the hearts of the fans after three good rounds,” said DJ Fantan.
Godfatha Templeman has called for a rematch between this year’s cup clash winner, Libho, and unfairly dismissed, Jah Soft on Star FM’s Dancehall Overdrive tomorrow.
Chipaz Promotion has set December 21 for the national finals.
Online Reporter