Who will be crowned ‘Kings of the Ghetto’?

Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
THE City Sports Centre will come alive as ghettos around Zimbabwe battle for supremacy in a clash dubbed “King of the Dancehall: Ghetto vs Ghetto” on December 6.The clash, a local version of the Jamaican festival “Sting”, will see local artistes representing their respective ghettos or home towns with the audience choosing the winner. The ultimate winner will pocket R10 000, the second R5 000 while the third will get  R2 500.

Promoter Barbara Chikosi of Red Rose Entertainment said the show was a revival of 2009’s Harare Gardens’ clash where King Labash, Winky D, Bad Man, Sniper Storm and the late Daddy D took to the stage for a battle.

The clash was dominated by Kambuzuma-based chanter Winky D, who won and later declared his victory in a hit titled “One One”.
“When we initiated the clash in 2009, local dancehall was not as popular as it is today. We had very few artistes that participated but it was a huge success,” she said.

She said she predicted this year’s show will be even bigger thanks to the growing popularity of the genre.
“Artistes who feel they have what it takes to represent their home areas are welcome to approach us because we want to have a fair representation of all the ghettos. Their personal victory translates to victory for their neighbourhoods as well,” she said.

So far, Chitungwiza-based Guspy Warrior, Lady Squanda, Ricky Fire and Seh Kallas of Mbare have confirmed their participation.
Reggae Sounds Systems, Judgment Yard, Mighty Ducks and Legendary Sound will also be part of the show.

Chikosi, however, said the show was not meant to sow divisions among artistes as it was purely meant for entertainment.
“Fans should take this show as entertainment for them as it will be held in the middle of the festive season. It is also meant to create a platform where dancehall artistes polish up their acts for the sector to be more competitive,” she said.

The show comes at a time when music promoters are encouraging tolerance among dancehall artistes. Early this month, Emergy Chidzanga, more popularly known as Freeman, from Dzivarasekwa was left running for cover as fans threw cans at him while performing in Highfield’s Gwanzura Stadium.