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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
A New Year’s Eve bash is slated for Harare’s Gwanzura Stadium featuring some of the top dancehall performers in Zimbabwe, as the countdown to 2014 begins.The crossover gig will see fireworks lighting up the skies when the clock strikes midnight, and whoever will be on stage will have the honours to lead music lovers in the countdown.
Dubbed “Zim Dancehall 2014 Countdown”, the all-night gig will feature the likes of Freeman, Dhadza D, Guspy Warrior, King Shaddy, Sniper Storm, Killer T, Soul Jah Love, Cello Culture, Kinna, Seh Calaz and Ricky Fire.
Other performers are Jay C, Merciless Zimbabwe, Abisha Pama, Sunshine Family, Itana, Magikal, Mad House Crew, Tiva Styles.
Dancehall selector Garry B and chanter Templeman are expected to spice up the show on the turntables.
Lady Squanda and Angel P will be representing the female chanters and like their previous shows they will go head-to-head on the microphone.
Without a doubt, 2013 was a good year for Zimbabwean dancehall with new talent coming up. Among the new voices are Killer T, Shinsoman, Seh Calaz and Cello Culture.
If there was an artiste who took Zimbabwean dancehall by storm in 2013, it must be Killer T. Songs such as “Tirikumhanya”, “Makarova Gunners”, “Suspects”, “Officer Mirai Chirukazi” and “Ziso Rako Hameno”, were popular at watering holes and clubs.
Born Kelvin Kusikwenyu, Killer T has become a household name not only in his home area of Mbare, but in most high-density suburbs.
The dancehall star got his nickname from his brother who always referred to him as a “killer” when it came to dancehall lyrics.
He used to sing with his younger brother Temptation and the duo was named “Killer T”. Killer T was recorded by producer Bryton Munyuki of Iton Music.
That is when he made the hit song “Makarova Gunners” and since then he has never looked back. His signature tune, the gun staccato “Po po po,” has become synonymous with ghetto youths and even rivals in the dancehall genre are forced by fans to chant the slogan once they get on stage.
The self-proclaimed “Matapi Chairman” won the hearts of many and his fan base has grown beyond the capital Harare as he has performed in other cities.
He has become a celebrity overnight in his neighbourhood and each time he strolls around, he is mobbed by children and women alike demanding the signature tune.
Guspy Warrior has also had a fine run during the course of the year, buoyed by the popularity of his sexually suggestive “Seunononga”.
He too will be at the countdown gig.
The number is receiving heavy rotation on most radio playlists. Like most dancehall artistes who are doing well in Zimbabwe, Guspy performs with a full band and he was one of the artistes who lit up the stage at the Lion Lager Campus Activation Nights.
Dancehall star Freeman of the “Danger Zone” fame is another heavy hitter at the gig. Freeman, born Emegy Sylvester Chizanga, hails from Dzivarasekwa, which is known as DZ. DZ has been appropriated to mean “Danger Zone”.
His collaboration with Lady Squanda on “Dancehall Doctor” remains a beauty and it proved Freeman’s lyrical prowess. Dhadza D, whose claim to fame is the hit “Dairai”, also commands a huge following. He is known for his scintillating performances on stage.
Last but not least Shinsoman has made a huge splash on the music scene with the release of the song “Mawaya Waya”. The song was voted the 2013 Hit of the Year on Power FM.
Shinsoman did some brilliant collaborations with the likes of Killer T and Freeman. Show promoter Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions said: “It’s both the last gig in 2013 and the very first gig in 2014 as we celebrate the New Year.
“We want to thank all ghetto youths for believing in Chipaz Promotions and their support is greatly appreciated.”
Online Reporter