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Bulawayo group i-Tribe are scaling greater heights as their popularity seems to be growing with each passing week. With its solid harmonies, dynamic rhythms and refreshing musicality, i-Tribe have proved they can get any crowd tapping, dancing and singing along to their sound.
The year-old band, which stunned many last week after their spectacular performances at the just ended Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa), draws its music from the traditional, contemporary and modern cultures of young Zimbabweans.
They define their genre, which is a fusion of ethnic, afro soul, afro jazz and reggae music, as World Music.
“Our music isn’t limited to one specific genre as it has a bit of afro jazz, reggae, soul so we coined it World Music,” i-Tribe lead vocalist – Xolani “Xmile” Ndlovu said.
The group, which had never performed at an international festival, is grateful for the Hifa experience and platform which they said had opened doors for them.
“Before the festival, very few people knew about iTribe as the band is only a year old,” Xmile said.
“The festival has enabled us to get major recognition as people showed interest in us and want us to perform at various shows.”
Through networking at the festival, the group managed to link up with Namibian afro-jazz artiste – Jackson Wahengo among other artistes and are working on a possible collaboration with him.
Two singles – May Inkomo and Khona Le are expected to be released this month ahead of i-Tribe’s debut album launch in August.
Their first performance at Hifa was a free show on April 29 at the 1st Street stage. They shared the stage with Buffalo Souljah, Guspy Warrior and Wahengo. Their second performance, which left revellers clamouring for more, was on April 30 on the Coca-Cola Green stage at the Harare Gardens.
The band is comprised of six members – Xolani Ndlovu, Thandeka Dhlana, Zenzele Moyo, Sydney Mutsinze, Mehluli Dube and Mzingaye Ndlela.
“Our band seeks to change the world through one spirit of love, tolerance, unity and creating one tribe.”
Besides their Hifa performance, i-Tribe has performed at Intwasa koBulawayo Arts Festival and Ibumba Festival and plan to grace more international festivals.- Showbiz Reporter/Harare Bureau.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter