Tendai Gukutikwa
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
IN a growing trend that is leaving a sour taste in the mouths of many music lovers, Zim-dancehall artistes continue to disappoint by failing to turn-up for scheduled shows, even when venues are packed and sold out.
Last Saturday was no different, and it looks like the trust between Zim-dancehall artistes and their fans in Mutare is quickly eroding.
Fans of the genre were left stunned and furious after two celebrated Zim-dancehall stars, Silent Killer and Madedido, failed to appear for their much-anticipated performance at the Fourth Street Lounge, popularly known as Kumatanga, located at the Mutare Showgrounds.
The event, organised by Street Promotions, had attracted hundreds of enthusiastic revellers.
With few major entertainment events happening in the city that night, the Fourth Street Lounge was the place to be.
As always, Mutare – entertainment-starved revellers – turned out in full force to support what was billed as one of the biggest dancehall events of the season. But instead of the energy-packed show fans expected, disappointment took centre stage.
Despite weeks of promotion, including a video message from Silent Killer himself urging fans to come in their numbers, the two headliners never arrived.
No explanation was given on the night.
And calls to the artistes went unanswered.
Venue owner, Terry Matambo, expressed regret over the incident.
“We apologise to all our loyal patrons here at Fourth Street. The promoters hired the venue and asked to use the Fourth Street Lounge brand. I offered them the venue for free, knowing it would benefit us through bar sales. They were responsible for gate collections and artiste management. I also provided security.
I am still shocked, honestly. Silent Killer even recorded a promotional video confirming his appearance. He told me personally that he was leaving Harare.
We started calling him when it got late, but nothing came through,” said Matambo.
Matambo said such no-shows damage, not only his brand, but also the trust of music fans in Mutare.
The promoters, Street Promotions, also issued an apology during an interview with Diamond FM, confirming that both Silent Killer and Madedido had received deposit payments and transport allowances ahead of the show.
“It is really unfortunate things ended this way. We paid them their deposits and agreed to pay the balance once they went on stage. Everything was done in good faith. Silent Killer had released a promotional video encouraging fans to attend. We had no reason to doubt him. Unfortunately, we did not have a written contract – it was all verbal. But we truly believed they would show up,” said the agency.
The situation grew tense on the night of the event as fans, mostly comprising ghetto youths, began to realise the headliners were a no-show.
Many demanded answers from Boss Terry, who did his best to explain the circumstances.
Security at the venue remained tight, with well-controlled access to the VIP area and main sections, but even good crowd control could not mask the growing frustration of disappointed fans.
DJs played on in an effort to lighten the mood, but the music could not cover the growing sense of betrayal.
This incident comes barely two months after another Zim-dancehall artiste, Blot, also failed to turn up for a gig in Mutare at Club Mandisa despite having confirmed his appearance live on Diamond FM just hours before the event.
Fans and promoters alike are now questioning whether this pattern of no-shows is not a deliberate thing by the disgraced artistes to swindle promoters, especially when communication is so lacking.
The artistes often go silent after missing gigs, leaving organisers, fans and venues in the dark with no explanations.
“This kind of behaviour is, not just unprofessional, but a slap in the face to fans who support their music. People spend their hard-earned money expecting a real show. These artistes need to respect that,” said one Zim-dancehall music fan, Ras Jonso.
Attempts to reach Silent Killer for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered.
Online Reporter