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Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
Most sungura artistes have retreated to the outskirts of the capital as competition becomes stiff with the emergence of the Zimbabwe dancehall genre. Artistes such as First Farai, Kapfupi, Nicholas Zakaria, Gift Amuli and Shuga Shuga have all but become rare “commodities” in the Harare.
It is very rare to find their posters in the capital while dancehall artistes are enjoying a purple patch.
Is dancehall taking over?
Sungura musicians who were interviewed said Harare-based music promoters are shunning them.
Amuli, who is scheduled to perform in Gokwe, Karoi and Chirundu this weekend, said Harare promoters were difficult to come by.
“We do not have an option, if we find a promoter for shows outside Harare, they pay for our transport and we look around for other shows where we collect gate takings and venue owners sell beverages,” he said.
Recent developments suggest that First Farai is finding the going tough and has since abandoned urban shows.
“It is not economical to stage a show in urban areas; the competition is stiff, that is why I have decided to stage shows outside the main cities and towns,” said Farai.
The musician said promoters were shunning him hence his renewed flirtation with the rural folk.
“If I hold a show, let’s say in Mhangura, I know I would be alone and I will have maximum attendance unlike in Harare where the promoters only go for the ‘big boys’. If I had a promoter who is willing to pay me enough money, I won’t think twice, I will perform,” said Farai.
“Most of the time I would be on the road and I promote myself because at the end of the day I want to eat,” he said.
The musician was recently in the news for failing to pay the company that had provided transport to ferry his band members and music equipment to different provinces.
At one time, Kapfupi was so popular that he was even able to hold his own shows in nearly every high-density suburb in Harare and even faraway places like Gweru.
However, he could not maintain the momentum, forcing him to retreat to the outskirts of Harare, in anticipation of a come- back.
“I have limited shows in Harare. I play where I have a following,” said Kapfupi.
Recently, he was at Dotcom’s show at Mverechena Hotel, before going back to Shamva, Chirundu and Mukumbura to stage shows.
Shuga Shuga said he was now concentrating in staging shows in Mozambique where he has a huge following.
“I do not even know the last time I had a show in Harare. I usually tour Mozambique where my music is very popular,” he said.
Veteran music promoter Barbra Chikosi, popularly known as Mama Red Rose, said:
“The cost of hiring 25 dancehall artistes at once is almost equivalent to that of hiring three musicians of Alick Macheso’s calibre.”
Online Reporter