JP Canadian tour gets thumbs up

Trust Khosa

CANADA-BASED youthful promoters, Mike and Malcolm Viriri, believe their journey as events managers has started on a flier.

The sons of radio personality Slice T, recently hosted Jah Prayzah in Canada, with the top artiste headlining the Afro Fest, with a vintage performance.

And, given it’s their first time in music promotion under their newly-formed stable Biggz Entertainment, the duo spoke highly of the Jah Prayzah experience.

“It was a priceless experience working with Jah Prayzah during the tour,” said Mike.

“We learnt a lot from day one of planning to the last day of the tour.

“We also learnt the need for intense planning when hosting an event, big or small.

“As real event planners, we should always adopt zero tolerance for any compromise, understand the artiste you are engaging with, especially their behaviour patterns, as well as noting their weaknesses and strengths.

“Don’t be a fan when doing business, as soon as you sign a contract, it’s now strictly business and deliver as agreed while you also expect the same.”

Mike said they were now planning their next gig.

“We are planning to invite Killer T, due to public request, and it’s easier to hit a home run with a horse on target, our dad told us.

“We also plan on hosting Nutty O, after we secure a Reggae Festival, Enzo Ishall is also on our cards, as well as Mafikizolo.”

Being their first gig, Mike said they had to stick to their father’s guidance to overcome pressure, which comes with organising international shows.

“It was kinda intense here and there but, obviously, being under the guidance of Mudhara, we had confidence knowing that when we are about to fall, he will support us,” he said.

Malcom, who is also a musician, said their relationship with Jah Prazah’s camp made their tour a success.

“Jah Prayzah has known us from as early as 2014 when our dad took us to his offices.

“We have had a mutual relationship as we see him as a big brother so we never really felt nervous around him before and after the show,” said Malcolm.

On their relationship with other events managers and promoters in Canada, Malcolm said:

“We haven’t really been exposed to more of them as it is our first project and we hope to work or associate with them on a business level.

“We are grateful to the Afro Empire headed by Tawanda Jokonya, who will be hosting Makhadzi and Master KG this weekend, we look forward to attending and learning more,” he said.

Like his brother Mike, Malcolm said he was also learning a lot from his father.

“He is a great dad well respected in North America for what he has done for the Zim Community, from the USA to Canada.

“He is an easy going person whilst so strict and knows he has targets.

“Through him, we had massive support from Zimbabweans all over Canada as some drove as from far as Vancouver, which is 12 hours away, and we don’t take that for granted that’s pure love for the artist and us,” he added.

Slice T is one of the pioneers of urban contemporary music in Zimbabwe alongside his boy band Slice.

He relocated to Canada after years in the industry and has since settled there.