adminOwn Correspondent
He was part of the urban grooves wave and knows how it feels to fight for recognition in a sea of rising talented youthful artistes. He has seen the Zimdancehall wave sweeping across the country and realised that most upcoming youngsters are going through situations similar to his yesteryear encounters.
Tinos Viriri, aka Slicey T, who fronts the group Slice International, which rocked the airwaves with tracks like “Ndiwe Wandinoda Mudiwa” and “Nhasi Nhasi” during the urban grooves movement, has found a way to assist and inspire Zimdancehall artistes to keep their fire burning.
Now based in Canada, the musician, who is also the founder of Africa Radio Station in Canada, has every reason to give the young crop of musicians a hand.
By exposing Zimdancehall artistes to the international community through his station and organising general tours through his promotions company, African Canadian Art Society, Slicey T has brought smiles to the faces of many local musicians.
He has organised shows for musicians like Winky D, Oliver Mtukudzi and Nox to tour Canada and the United States. His company has been in business for a long time but his desire to take Zimdancehall seems bigger than general showbiz affairs under his jurisdiction.
Plans are also underway to host Tocky Vibes in Canada end of September.
Slicey T’s passion for young talent apparently overrides other African Canadian Art Society responsibilities. Maybe he feels indebted to sponsors and promoters that helped Slice International find sound footing in the urban grooves arena to the extent of getting slots at shows featuring musicians like Alick Macheso, Assegai Crew, Diamond Musica, Tongai Moyo and Progress Chipfumo
It is this passion that has led him to go beyond playing Zimdancehall on his station and hosting the artistes in Canada. He has decided to bring home something that will inspire the young musicians further.
Slicey T returned home last week with music equipment and accessories that he has been donating to studios since he arrived in the country.
So far, the musician has given out condensed top-of-the-range microphones ahead of bigger deals that he has struck with established dancehall artistes.
He has bigger studio equipment to be unveiled to popular dancehall stars before he goes back to Canada,
He is working with Star FM and Power FM to advance his charity cause.
“I was part of a movement similar to the rise of dancehall and I know the challenges that young musicians face when they compete for recognition in such a situation. I have gone through it and I know how important sponsors and promoters are to the life of a rising musician,” he said.
“We got assistance from various people in order to get recognition and I am trying to do the same to the current crop of musicians. It is not easy to break to limelight and these youngsters need our support.
“I have been working with them over the past few months when I was in Canada and I felt that I should come and inspire those that are still to make names in the genre. I am excited to work with those that are already popular but I am also happy to identify talent and make a difference in someone’s career.
“It means a lot to me to get involved in such projects and I will do my best to make sure that these young musicians get the support that I can afford to give them. It is my pleasure to be involved in Zimdancehall after having been part of urban grooves.”
Online Reporter