Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
WHAT started as a classy black-tie album launch quickly turned into a high-stakes bidding war when a signed copy of Mudiwa Hood’s latest album ‘Dhara Re Madhara’ went under the hammer for a staggering US$90,000.
And, just when business tycoons at the glitzy affair thought they were closing in on the prized album, Joanna Sharpe, wife of West Property chief executive Ken Sharpe, entered the fray and effectively destroyed the bidding.
The bidding had already climbed to US$45,000 when Joanna dropped the bombshell that she would top whatever amount had been offered.
That was the moment the room went into overdrive. “I will top up all the bids,” Joanna declared, putting an emphatic stop to the spirited bidding that had seen some of Zimbabwe’s business heavyweights battle it out for the signed collector’s copy. The final figure was US$90,000, making the album one of the most expensive individual music collectible this year, to change hands at a Zimbabwean entertainment event.
The black-tie affair was clearly not your ordinary album launch.
Guests understood the assignment.
Dressed to impress, the who’s who of the business, entertainment and fashion worlds turned up in their finest evening wear, with the atmosphere resembling a corporate gala as much as a music celebration. Business tycoons took turns going on stage to place their bids, transforming what could have been a routine album launch into an entertaining spectacle.But Joanna had the final say.
After securing the signed album, she praised Mudiwa for his talent, personality and professionalism.
“Mudiwa is a joyful man, he is talented and very professional. Congratulations on the album,” she said.
Her winning bid became one of the biggest talking points of the night, with guests left buzzing about the extraordinary amount paid for a signed copy of the 12-track project.
But money was not the only thing making noise. Mudiwa brought the auditorium to life with a performance that sent guests into a frenzy.
The rapper performed songs from ‘Dhara Re Madhara’, while also digging into his older catalogue, giving fans a taste of both the new Mudiwa and the artist they have followed over the years.
The auditorium was soon transformed into a concert arena, with guests singing along, dancing and cheering as he moved between his new material and familiar hits.
The performance also underlined the diversity of the new album.
The 12-track ‘Dhara Re Madhara’ album features an eclectic cast of artists including Jah Prayzah, Kae Chaps, Bagga, Ishan, Denzel Malakai and Andy Muridzo, among others.
Mudiwa said the variety was deliberate. “I wanted the album to be versatile. I wanted to bring different artists from different genres so that the album could appeal to different people,” he said.
He said he deliberately wanted to use the project to create opportunities for emerging musicians.
“I also wanted to give a platform to some of the rising stars because we all started somewhere.
“If you have an opportunity to bring someone up, you should do it,” he said.
That philosophy appears to have shaped the entire project, which refuses to box Mudiwa into one particular sound. From established names to younger voices, ‘Dhara Re Madhara’ attempts to create a meeting point between different generations and musical styles. And, while the US$90,000 winning bid stole the headlines, the evening was ultimately a statement about Mudiwa Hood’s growing influence beyond music. For an artist who has spent years juggling studies, music and business, the launch showcased both worlds in spectacular fashion.
There was serious money in the room, serious businesspeople at the tables and serious music on stage.
At that moment, ‘Dhara Re Madhara’ stopped being just an album.
It became a collector’s item — and one very expensive statement of confidence in Mudiwa Hood.
