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Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
It appears Obey Makamure more popularly known as “Tocky Vibes” was the biggest find in 2014.
The Zim dancehall chanter rose to fame with the release of his well thought-out lyrics on songs such as “Mhai”, “Ndazokundikana”, “Usakande Mapfumo Pasi” and “Dziripo Hama”.
Arguably, Zim dancehall enjoyed growth and popularity in 2014 and the year belonged to Tocky aka “Dancehall Priest” due to his clean lyrics.
Although Tocky is talented in penning enjoyable songs, he however, lacks in fashion sense.
Remember how he shocked many during Kalado’s concert held at Old Hararians Sports Club when he appeared dressed like a butler?
Of course, there are those who saw nothing wrong with that but the truth is one cannot pretend to be someone they are not.
Not all artistes are humble, in fact, you don’t have to show humility through dress code.
Humility comes naturally and for Tocky to try and make his fans believe that he is humble when he asks people to talk to his manager that is not the way to go.
His rise to stardom was short as explained in one of his popular tunes “Tocky Waenda Nenyika.”
True to his words, last year alone, he was the most wanted Zim dancehall artiste and he had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the Jamaican Kalado, superstar Oliver Mtukudzi and South Africa’s top pop group Mafikizolo.
He also thrilled fans when he performed at the Lion Lager Beer Festival held at Glamis Stadium.
Just when fans thought they had had enough of him, Tocky made a surprise appearance at Prophet Walter Magaya’s “Night of Turnaround” where he was the only secular musician.
He also introduced a live band featuring marimba which was the first of its own kind in Zim dancehall.
He missed out on his maiden tour of the United Kingdom due to the Ebola scare.
As much as Tocky was the artiste of the moment, he failed to maximise on his popularity due to poor management.
Besides having two managers, Tocky is still to learn a thing or two about stage etiquette.
Surprisingly, he never gave fans value for their money during live performances.
Fans would just go crazy when they see him on stage.
Another weird thing which reflected mismanagement or lack of it thereof was the issue of sound check.
Tocky never bothered about it but was quick to point fingers as his “imaginary enemies” for sabotage when things go wrong during his set.
Once that happens Tocky would lose his composure and blamed sound engineers for something which he could have avoided by simply sound checking.
With more shows coming his way, Tocky became difficult to deal with. The case in point was when he had a fallout with Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions.
What was needed between the two was to sit down and talk but that never happened as Tocky blew things out of proportion and claimed that Chimbodza wanted to destroy his career. Since the fallout, Tocky has never featured at Chipaz Promotions organised gigs.
There is no denying the fact that as fame grew, Tocky also became “big headed”.
There was fracas began when Tocky refused to curtain raise for Mtukudzi in Chitungwiza claiming that he could not perform before a paltry crowd. He then left the venue for Mutare where he had another show.
Josh Hozheri the promoter of the gig lost all the respect for the youngster and continued with the gig as if nothing happened.
Up to now the chanter cannot be reached on his mobile phone and when he is reachable he refers all questions to his one of his managers whether its personal or business.
As if that was not enough he performed dismally at the Book Cafe and Star FM’s Dancehall Remedy Second anniversary held in the capital.
These events have left many fans wondering if the musician’s stardom will go beyond 2015.
In fact, some even joked that Tocky’s sell-by date was December 2014.nad let’s see what 2015 has in store for him.
Online Reporter