Online Reporter
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Zimdancehall artiste Tocky Vibes’ much-anticipated album launch, dubbed “Mashangurapata,” at Alexandra Sports Club on Saturday failed to attract the expected audience, despite strong support from fellow musicians and a high-quality production set-up.
Once regarded as one of the most influential voices in contemporary Zimbabwean music, Tocky Vibes’ latest project was meant to reaffirm his relevance and creativity.
However, the show, which featured a star-studded line-up including Killer T, Feli Nandi, Seh Calaz, Tamy Moyo, Kurai Makore, Silent Killer, Oriyano and Andy Muridzo, recorded a very low turnout.
The empty ground told a story of disappointment for an artiste who once commanded thousands at his performances.
By late evening, attendance figures remained sparse, prompting many in the industry to label it one of the most underwhelming album launches of the year.
With a 30-song album now officially launched, many fans and industry watchers are asking what comes next for Tocky Vibes.
Will he continue releasing the songs individually, or will some tracks be shelved due to the disappointing launch?
The questions are heightened by his recent success on international tours, which suggested momentum and growing appeal.
Yet, despite this progress abroad, his home-ground at Alexandra Sports Club appeared to have forsaken him, leaving observers to wonder why local support did not match his international acclaim.
These unanswered questions cast a shadow over the launch and set the stage for speculation about Tocky’s strategy moving forward.
The good part is Tocky was well-prepared for the night.
The sound, lighting and stage set-up were professionally executed, and the venue was fully equipped for a large crowd.
Other artistes appreciated Tocky Vibes’ effort , even sending messages of encouragement.
Yesterday, Baba Harare encouraged fans to support him despite the low turnout.
“Don’t worry Tocky Vibes, inini ndakamboimbira vanhu two, muridzi webhawa na waiter. It’s only that our bad days kubasa ari public. Let’s keep moving forward. Long live Chamakuvangu,” Baba Harare wrote expressing solidarity and encouragement for his colleague.
Industry observers have cited poor marketing, limited engagement with younger audiences and unfortunate timing, as the launch coincided with both the Jacaranda Music Festival and the Chibuku Road to Fame finals, which drew thousands elsewhere.
Those close to the artiste say Tocky Vibes had invested significant time and resources into the project, hoping to reassert himself as a creative force.
However, the poor attendance appeared to test his resolve.
On social media, Tocky later posted a motivational message, writing, “Usakande Mapfumo pasi Mashangurapata” — a Shona phrase encouraging perseverance in the face of adversity.
In the competitive Zimdancehall landscape, where new voices continue to emerge, Tocky Vibe’s experience stands as a reminder that relevance must be constantly renewed.
While his legacy remains undisputed, the weekend’s poor turnout underscored the challenges established artistes face in reconnecting with a fast-changing audience.
Fans and industry observers have been left questioning the reasons behind the disappointing turnout.
Some wonder if Tocky Vibes was misled about the potential audience at Alexandra Sports Club, given the star-studded line-up.
With such prominent names on the bill, expectations for a full house were understandably high.
Yet, the glaring absence of a sizable crowd has raised further questions: if the line-up was indeed strong enough to attract large numbers, why did these artistes not manage to draw more fans to perform for what turned out to be a paltry audience?
The mismatch between the talent on stage and the attendance has left both fans and critics pondering whether the flop was a result of over estimation, poor promotion, or a shift in audience interest.
Meanwhile, the day before, Baba Harare sealed his much-awaited comeback with a classical show at Jongwe Corner.
Titled “Greater and Wiser,” the Jiti star launched his five-track project, defining a new era in his career.
This was a deeply moving and transformative experience for both Baba Harare and the audience as the singer reinvented the wheel back to his self-proclaimed throne.
Baba Harare had dumped circular music for gospel and his sojourn only lasted for a year.
Two songs off the album — “9 Months’ and “Couple of the year” hit 100 000 views on YouTube in less than 24 hours.
This has been viewed as a testament to his unparalleled musicianship and vocal ability.
Other songs on the album include “Poverty,” “Chigaba Chinorira” and “Tiende.”
He has also accompanied four of the new songs with videos.
“I am back for business, I will let my work do the talking,” said Baba Harare at his launch.
Some fans who attended the launch said they had done so to confirm whether Baba Harare had truly returned to Jiti.
A section of the fans thought that this was a gimmick for him to surprise launch another gospel album disguised as a Jiti offering.
With his wife nowhere near the launch, the thoughts quickly died down and indeed the new offering is of Jiti genre.
“I was trusting this guy, although his announcement was exciting but I wasn’t sure he was going to dump gospel music for circular offerings after the way he expressed himself back then.
“Now, I confirmed first hand and the album is made up of Jiti songs, riri kuterereka haro, pachava ne masong ekutambisa Christmas akatiwandira,” said one reveller, identified as Mhofela.
The launch also saw Feli Nandi, Obert Chari, Prince Chingwida, Calvin Mangena and Culture Love performing.
Freeman, who is preparing for his HKD Festival slated for end of this month made a surprise appearance at the launch, same as Captain Britain. The event attracted a sizeable crowd.
Peter Tanyanyiwa