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competition put Prayzah on number one, two and also number six.
“In my view, the moderators failed to realise not only the purpose of such competition, but also the complexity of arts in general. The musical art is a poetic expression that is meant to educate, entertain and shape future socio-cultural trends of a nation with a view to connect both the past and the present in a smooth continuity,” he wrote.
Mutodi said given this background and comparing RadioZim’s yesteryear reputation with its current behaviour, it would appear as if a moral hazard problem is taking over at the once beautiful FM radio station.
“If it is Coca Cola themselves that are dictating the charts, then I say shame at (sic) them. Their actions could go further and affect their brand. They must not take music for granted otherwise their slogan ‘future lies on our brands’ could suffer big time if other artistes protested and barred them from putting them in such a barbaric and subjective competition.
“If they have an artiste they want to promote, they should seek other means of doing it and not using a flawed Coca Cola charts show. It’s deplorable,” ranted Mutodi.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s, spokesman Sivukile Simango, said it was a case of sour grapes on Mutodi and it was sad that he would stoop that low.
He said ironically the same artiste had two of his songs on the Top 20 of RadioZim’s sister station National FM, but did not complain and is only doing so because he did not win in the RadioZim competition.
Simango said Jah Prayzah’s songs were voted for by the station’s listeners, so it was absurd for one to claim that the votes and the result were a sham.
“It’s really regrettable and highly unprofessional for Mutodi to resort to these bullying tactics. If he had a problem with our voting system or the charts result he should have engaged us, instead of addressing his displeasure on a social platform,” he said.
Simango added that it was unfortunate that their sponsors were also being dragged into the mud by Mutodi.
“We appreciate what our sponsors have been doing for the local arts industry. This is unfortunate because we want more sponsors to come in to sponsors such initiatives,” he said.
After posting his displeasure on his page one of Mutodi’s fans Nkuluno Frans Bamala replied him saying he did not think the radio station and Coca Cola were at fault as far as the dominance of Jah Prayzah in the competition was concerned.
“Zimbabwe voted for his songs and he amassed a lot of votes, not taking nothing away from other artistes, but Jah is a unique artiste who produces hits that are competitive.
“This is not the first of its kind (case), Marko Sibanda always had two songs in the competition and another good example is Simon Chopper Chimbetu, whose songs Simba Nederere was number six and Pane Asipo was at number 2 on National FM some years back,” he said.
Another friend on his page, Courage Nyamutamba, was quick to dismiss Mutodi’s ingenuity as an artiste saying he should leave it to the talented.
“Iwe Mutodi unofunga kuti zvaunoimba zvingavhoterwe iwe vhele music yagara haisi yako/hey Mutodi do you think what you sing is worth voting for, music is not your calling,” he said.
Another Mutodi follower, Graham Chipo Tamanikwa, said besides Mutodi’s songs being on National FM his videos made it into the ZBCtv Top 50 Videos of 2012, but he was quiet.
“VaMutodi if I am not mistaken on ZBCtv Top 50 you had two videos that made it. Why did you not complain you even posted a thank you note on your wall? So the votes are only authentic when you win, please grow up,” he said.
Online Reporter