adminManica Post Correspondent
Mutare’s foundations of entertainment shook earthquake style as UK based Jamaica native dancehall DJ Chris Goldfinger swept into town.
Easter Saturday came off the hinges at the Glow Bar at the Golden Peacock as the team of DJ’s kept revellers on their feet in what was the DJ’s maiden visit to the eastern city and showed why he is one of the top notch DJ’s in the genre the world over.
He was accompanied on the bill by fellow dancehall DJ’s Kivo Santana and the Red Fox Family based in Harare’s dancehall music shrine Red Fox Hotel run by prolific promoter and businessman Robert ‘RobertZee’ Zhuwao.
Zhuwao himself was part of the entourage that rolled into town.
And the response from Mutare left the DJ beside himself with appreciation.
“It was amazing coming with Chris to Mutare. We had always just come and concentrated on Harare and had never been brave enough to take the act to other towns. This time around we made forays into Bulawayo and Mutare and the response was electric,” said Kivo Santana.
Chris Goldfinger made a name for himself primarily as a dancehall DJ for a BBC radio slot which he piloted for an impressive 13 years and has rubbed shoulders with the who’s who of the reggae and dancehall music scene the world over.
He has interviewed key names including Chaka Demus and Pliers, Beenie Man, Capleton, Damian Marley and Luciano, growing a religious following from radio listeners in the United Kingdom as well as the world’s capitals where he has travelled as a wheel spinner.
“We didn’t know what to expect from Mutare but the electric response was proof that we were unfairly starving this side of the world of dancehall music. From the lessons learnt we no doubt shall be bringing more acts to Mutare and build stronger ties with our Red Fox Family fans and fans of the genre this side of the country,” assured Robert Zhuwao.
The scores of fans who turned up in a festive mood ahead of resurrection Sunday were kept on their feet for spells throughout the night as the main billing left them intoxicated from his mastery of sampling dancehall music whilst his obvious younger protégés in the corridors of DJ mastery complemented him to the tee
In spite of having travelled from Harare by road to Bulawayo, before coming to Mutare for the concert, Chris Goldfinger showed not even an inch of fatigue as he played throughout the set and the team entertained into the early hours of the morrow mu.h to the crowds appreciation.
“The capital just found a rival in the levels to which dancehall is appreciated. Certainly there is more to be offered this side of Zimbabwe and in due course we shall be widening our menu that we bring to Mutare,” assured Zhuwao.
Apart from being a DJ, Goldfinger runs dancehall themed outfits in the United Kingdom hence his mastery of what people love to be presented with when one steps behind the turntables.
As he played and shook the foundations of the mountains, Goldfinger left an indelible mark in the history of dancehall shows in Mutare and possibly with it, the start of a new era for dancehall music lovers here if Zhuwao’s assurances are anything to go by.
Online Reporter