adminZimbabwe’s Houze of Stone came first.
The Battle of the Year hip-hop contest is the grandest African dance competition with the winners getting the ticket to represent the continent in the world champs to be held later in France. The energetic and dynamic Houze of Stone put up a splendid display with breathtaking moves that won them many admirers.
However, I wasn’t really taken in by the way the event was organised as it showed some shoddiness and lethargy on the part of the organisers – a real lack of understanding of the importance of such events. Such a show with better preparations and organisation was bound to put our country on the world map.
In the end only two competing teams took it to the dance floor and I think that was a real pity. I think if people were really up to the game, the contest would have been even more hyper and exciting than what was witnessed last weekend. It’s said the event only had two top-drawer acts due to some immigration formalities, which saw some groups failing to get into the country. Come on, this is the lamest excuse I have heard in a long time!
Planning of this event started a long time ago and it was their responsibility to help organise the travel requirements of the visitors. Some of the artistes who performed that day did not have any contracts or knowledge of the itinerary of the show. They only saw their names on the posters and nothing more.
I met one dude just before the show and he was frantically trying to call the organisers as he had only seen his name on the posters and in the news but without any formal contact from the organisers. However, I am happy that the musicians who performed that day especially Mizchief didn’t disappoint at all. Miz who is enjoying a fresh patch in the music circles managed to outclass all and showed that he is still that same good old rapper.
Although he has been a pale shadow of the famed Channel O video jockey and artiste that he used to be he is surely showing signs of a comeback. Miz showed that he is on his way back to the top where he really belongs.
Later a word with the man, the affable Mizchief said he is in the country for good and dismissed some reports as mischievous that he was deported from South Africa.
Mizchief said he came back to sort out his papers and besides doing raps he is also a producer and a partner in The Rhymez that I Wrote concept which brings together aspiring and established rappers together.
Miz real name Heche Chamunorwa Kwenda said he is also working on a new album, which should be out by the end of the year.
“I was never deported from South Africa at any given time, I go there here and there as that’s where my family is but I want to establish some works here which need full time attention. Besides working on my album I am also producing other cats’ albums as well as doing some commercials for private entities,” said Miz.
On another note, it was with a heavy heart that I learnt that Sizzla Kalonji one of the most famous foreign Zimbabwean sons was involved in a serious road accident in his native Jamaica.
Without doubt Sizzla real name Miguel Collins is a favourite foreigner among most Zimbabweans due to the love and support he gave to this country when most artistes were shunning us.
Sizzla has been one of the few foreign artistes who have really said anything positive publicly to the international media, a thing which gained him some enemies as well.
He was called names and accused of helping loot the country’s wealth by foreign spin doctors but with resilience, dignity and confidence he stood behind his words and the country of Zimbabwe.
I hear Sizzla is on the road to recovery and might be out of hospital in a few days or weeks but shall be inhibited from holding shows while recuperating.
Get well soon Sizzla Kalonji, a great and dedicated son of Africa.
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Online Reporter