Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
GIFT AMULI says he is the SECOND BEST sungura musician in Zimbabwe.
He says Alick Macheso is the king of the kraal at number one and he is the best of the rest. On number three, he says that position belongs to Mark Ngwazi.
“I can’t be outclassed by First Farai because I am the second-best sungura musician in Zimbabwe where Alick Macheso is the king,” he said.
“Mark Ngwazi is the third-best sungura musician in that order. “Those who know sungura very well will certainly agree with me.”
Amili is breathing fire after losing a US$1,000 winner-takes-all clash to First Farai.
He is claiming that a dubious adjudication process cost him victory. The clash, held recently at Makuluwani in Whitehouse, Harare, was organised by Ester Music Development Association.
The two sungura musicians have been involved in a long-running public feud.
Narrating the events that led to his defeat, Amuli, who is now managed by seasoned music promoter Venencia “Mai Jojo” Madake, claimed he was robbed of the prize money.
“First and foremost, the attendance at the clash was poor but, as artists who had been hyped that we were going to perform, we fulfilled our contractual obligations,” Amuli said.
“In my case, I am not a cry-baby, but I was short-changed last weekend at the ‘Clash of Titans’.
“I played very well and outclassed First Farai. When the first round of votes was announced, I successfully managed to outwit First Farai left, right and centre.
“The organisers and adjudicators, who were led by the MC present, Mamaradha (real name Leonard Katsangu), messed everything up.
“He advised us to come back on stage to perform again for five minutes and I was shocked to note that First Farai was also fuming.”
The Zvishavane Sounds band leader, who claimed to have won the second round, said he got the shock of his life when MC Makamaradha announced that he had lost.
“It was chaotic, to say the least, because I became a loser from being a winner.
“The circus was too much and there was also a plot against me by fellow artists, especially Wasu Dacoda, who was mobilising musicians to vote against me.
“By the way, musicians who had come as supporting acts were not supposed to vote, but I was shocked to find out that they voted.” Amuli said he later approached the promoter, who he said was honest about his role in the event.
“I had to approach the promoter but he was honest with me that his task was only sponsoring the clash and not choosing the winner.
“I understood him and we are moving on.
Despite the loss, the outspoken Amuli said he would move on.
“We don’t stop doing sungura, even if it means I will continue struggling or being robbed of what is rightfully mine.”
First Farai, who came through the Music Crossroads competitions and represented Zimbabwe at the regional finals in Tanzania in his formative years, said he was accustomed to winning such contests.
“I do my magic on stage. My name is Aliyah Mwanambo. Thanks to everyone who stood by my corner.
“My tears are wiped,” he posted on social media after winning the contest.
The clash was the latest chapter in the pair’s colourful feud, which dates back to earlier this year when First Farai filed cyberbullying charges against Amuli.
Music promoter Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza later mediated between the two, resulting in First Farai withdrawing the charges.
The two musicians subsequently turned their differences into content, recording diss songs and using their public spat to fuel their creative rivalry.
