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Rockford “Roki” Josphats performed for the first time in Bulawayo at the Hustlers Leisure Centre where the Road to Fame show was held, weeks after his Brother Stargame fiasco.
Although the ever-controversial Maskiri was visibly drunk, he drew praises from some in the crowd with others clearly livid at his behaviour as they hurled insults towards him.
Maskiri was called on stage to sing Wenera with Roki amid wild cheers from revellers.
Maskiri stumbled on stage and when he tried to sing the chorus of the song he went off tune.
Roki then jumped in to sing the chorus as Maskiri waited to sing his verse.
When Maskiri sang the first verse, he only mumbled about five lines, then stopped and laughed. Roki then changed the song to Zverudo Zvaramba and the same happened. Maskiri got off stage and some revellers started chanting his name to come back.
Roki was the main act of the night and he mostly played songs from yesteryear. Roki did a first as he performed with a live band, shifting from performing using a disc, supported by Mafriq singer Discord.
Revellers who said they had them value for their money welcomed the move.
He played Seiko, Ayiya Ho, and the ever-popular Chidzoka and added songs by Mafriq like Chizevezeve, Ndomuwudza Sei among others.
Roki performed his new song Dandaro that was well received by the crowd. To note was an addition to his dance group Chocolate City of former Sexy Angels dancer Tariro Chabveka, who has joined Red Angels. There were instances during the show that she gave dances that evoked her former erotic dance career.
In an interview during his break Roki said he loved being in the Bulawayo entertainment scene and would support Road to Fame, as he was one of the pioneering performers at the show.
“I love the Bulawayo vibe and I always support local talent. I have performed here before and I will always support Road to Fame as this is a chance for up-and-coming artistes to be seen,” said Roki.
He said Bulawayo artistes should create music that had a target of not only local and regional but an international market.
“The music is good but the thing is they should look at doing music for the international market not the local and regional one,” said Roki.
He said next month a video for his new song Dandaro would be out.
Other acts that gave a good account of themselves were Centre Party, POY and up-and-coming hip-hop artiste Gregory.
Baba Wemangoma, a Harare-based artiste, took a swipe at Maneta Mazanhi.
He referred to the ex-Big Brother Stargame contestant as an item that was only fit to be in a dustbin much to the chagrin of some revellers.
Road to Fame was launched in 2003 and was won by Otis Ngwabi that year. Roki has won it three times.
The show is a platform for up-and-coming urban grooves artistes to showcase their talent with established artistes giving them much needed experience.
Online Reporter