Online Reporter
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
TOCKY Vibes believes he is a hit with Zimbabweans living in the UK.
But, while the reception in Harare is tricky, he is still happy with the support he is getting in the capital.
The musician says it’s a different ball game, when it comes to cities and towns outside the capital, where he continues to receive huge support at his shows.
He has also noted that Zimbabweans in the UK are proud of their roots and will always connect to musicians from the motherland.
The musician, who regularly performs at major shows in the UK, feels he has steadily won the hearts of fans in the Diaspora through his music and relatable messages.
Last weekend, he shared the stage with sungura maestro Alick Macheso and Kurai Makore in Leicester.
In December, he is expected to return to the UK for another engagement, highlighting the growing demand for his brand overseas.
“The demand for Zimbabwean music here and its food has increased due to the increase in the number of Zimbabweans here,” he said.
“Zimbabweans are proud of their roots and, with technology, most of them are now connected to their roots.
“The other factor is that some Zimbabweans resident here now visit home, at least twice a year, unlike in the past, when some would spend 10 or more years without visiting their roots.”
He added:
“I think it is the message in some of my songs like ‘Mhai’, ‘Usandikanganwe’ and many others that resonate with the situation of several Zimbabweans who stay here in the UK.
“Each time I perform here in the UK, there are people who confess that my music is therapeutic since it reminds them about their roots and where they came from.
“I don’t take such acknowledgement lightly and it means a lot to me as an artist.
“Singing stuff with substance is every creative’s wish.
“I have been longing for this over the years and I am glad that I am now getting some feedback from the same people we sing for in the UK.”
However, Tocky Vibes was reluctant to compare the reception he receives in the UK with that at home.
“In the UK and other nations where Zimbabweans are, I am really loved.
“Back home, the trends can be tricky, especially in Harare, but, I still have loyal fans.
“In the outskirts, we are guaranteed full houses.
“However, that does not mean that I can’t perform to perfection in Harare and other big towns.
“I am a regular at big events in Harare, if you have noted that trend,” Tocky said.
Like many artists of his generation, who sometime face challenges such as sabotage and other setbacks, Tocky has remained firm and resolute in pursuing his career.
“In showbiz, anything can happen, ranging from sabotage to other missteps but a real artist doesn’t throw in the towel.
“We keep working hard and that alone has given me the zeal to keep going and working hard.
“I am not the person to complain all the time and say I am in trouble.
“Hurdles have made me strong and I don’t care what haters say.
“I always stick to my job.”
Tocky Vibes is one of the hardworking figures in Zimdancehall and has toured extensively across the UK, Asia and the sub-region.
His consistency and determination have helped him remain relevant despite the challenges that often confront musicians.
For Tocky, the Diaspora is not merely an alternative market but an important extension of his musical home, with Zimbabweans abroad providing a ready audience eager to reconnect with their culture, language and roots through music.
