adminTinomuda Chakanyuka Midlands Correspondent
THE country’s most sought-after dancehall artistes will be in Gweru tomorrow for the first ever Dancehall Festival in the City of Progress at the Midlands Hotel car park.
For a long time, dancehall lovers in Gweru have been yearning for a show of this magnitude at which the country’s crème de la crème of dancehall music would clash. Tomorrow’s show has a dream line-up with a potential to satisfy their want.
Aptly dubbed Gweru Dancehall Festival (Kumangoma), the gig brings to the usually quiet city Winky D, Shinsoman, Killah T and Soul Jah Love. There would also be supporting acts from Gweru and Kwekwe.
For Winky D, who usually commands full houses in Gweru, the show would be a fine opportunity to prove to his fans that he is still the Don Dada (king) of the dancehall game in the country.
Will Shinsoman, Killah T and Soul Jah Love have the mettle to stage a coup and dethrone Winky D? Only Saturday night will tell.
It will be the first time that the Mbare duo of Killah T and Soul Jah Love performs in Gweru, but Shinsoman will be having a third time romance with the city revellers in three weeks.
The Mawayawaya hit maker was at Down Town Oasis last weekend where he left fans asking for more. Tomorrow night Shinsoman looks to continue from where he left last week.
To add a little jazzy flavour to the Dancehall Festival, songbird Pah Chihera of the Runonzi Rudo fame, will also feature, making her debut performance in the City of Progress.
The songstress would want to use the platform to show Gweru music fans what she is made of as well as build her fan base in the Midlands capital.
Whether or not Pah Chihera will keep up with the high voltage and energy associated with dancehall festivals, it remains to be seen on Saturday.
Gweru’s own dancehall muso, Legion, famed for the hits Mudhara Wemangoma and Mafridge PaKadoma will also grace the festival together with Lewaz Skattah as part of the opening act which also feature Nato Fire and Killah Man from Kwekwe.
The show certainly has the ingredients to headline Gweru’s entertainment diary this weekend.
Gweru’s finest wheel spinners, DJ Tamuka, DJ Muspyville, Maxfire and Young Ice will take turns on the turntables to keep revellers on the dance floor.
Show promoter Tafadzwa Maridadi said: “Gweru Dancehall music fans have always been complaining that we have not given them proper dancehall shows. This show is the answer to their concerns and I’m looking forward to the dancehall show of the year”.
The Dancehall Festival kicks off in the afternoon at 2PM to 6PM at the Midlands Hotel Conference Centre where local artistes will take turns to entertain fans.
Killah T famed for his punch-line Popopopopo, will make a cameo appearance during the afternoon show which has been designed for teenagers and other fun lovers who may not want to stay late at night.
Thereafter, the festival gets into top gear at the Midlands Hotel car park where Winky D, Shinsoman, Soul Jah Love and Killah T, Pah Chihera will perform.
Online Reporter