Winky D poised for stardom

when they use different styles.
It is even more difficult to compare an artiste who is as unpredictable and uninhibited as Winky D.
However, events in the recent past could help to judge how much Winky D is worth.
The first step is to put to paper the figures and call facts as we know them.
During last year’s Harare International Festival of the Arts Winky D, whose real name is Wallace Chirumiko, performed before a full house in the Coca-Cola Green, a venue which normally takes up to plus or minus 500 people.
And early this year, in February to be precise, Winky D who is lovingly called by such sobriquets as “Di Bigiman”, “Ninja President” to the recent one “Messi weReggae”, must have dreamt of success but only that he didn’t know it would come this fast.
The dancehall emcee is angling for superstar status with each performance.
This was confirmed by his victory at the 12th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards 2011 where the dancehall prodigy bagged two prestigious gongs – one for Outstanding Song for his chart topper “Musarova Bigiman” and the second for People’s Choice Award (Music).
He has in the shortest time risen to be one of the most sought-after musicians in dancehall, a feat which others take a lifetime to achieve.
So much for the awards, but frankly speaking Winky D is maturing with age line wine.
The reason is he has always set the bar high for himself and always made himself relevant to the society by being he voice for the ghetto people.
Again this has worked well for him because many people relate to his pain, success and struggles since we call come from the ghetto.
He rose to prominence when he performed at the Dancehall Clash organised by Red Rose Entertainment. There, Winky D – who was dressed in camouflage — emerged as the crowd favourite and was consequently crowned king.
Later, another opportunity to prove his mettle arose when he featured at the Akon/Sean Paul concert where he literally squared off with the likes of Akon and Sean Paul.
It didn’t end there. He was to share the stage with Capleton aka King Shango but prior to the gig he had a fallout with the organisers and the show was poorly attended after Winky D decided to pull out at the last minute.
While he continued to perform at high-profile gigs his fan base also grew with each outing.
It was at the Summer Beer Fest where he featured alongside Beenie Man, another international dancehall king, that all hell broke loose. Di Bigiman showed why he was rated highly in the genre when he appeared on stage tucked in a ninja outfit.
The crowd went into frenzy, ate from his palms and was completely blown away by his standout performance.
Since that performance, Winky D has gained confidence and zeal to do more for his fans and that spirit has caught the organisers of this year’s Hifa.
According to Manuel Bagorro, who is the founder and artistic director of Hifa, nothing was amiss about bringing the same acts especially when he is convinced that they would deliver the best.
So at this year’s Hifa, Winky D makes a welcome return this time not in the small Coca-Cola Green but at the Telecel Main Stage on April 30.
The reason why Winky D earned such a big slot is that he is now worthy the recognition.
Tickets for the concert are going for US$12 meaning that he is in the same league as Lokua Kanza of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kanza’s show is slated for the Telecel Main Stage on Friday April 29 and it costs US$12 a ticket, the same as Winky D’s gig, while Mic Inity will perform at 7 Arts Theatre for US$10. But if you look at Chiwoniso Maraire and Victor Kunonga’s combined concert at 7 Arts Theatre on April 27 tickets are going for US$10 each.
The mere fact that this year Winky D was accorded the Main Stage slot starting at 12.30pm and 1.30pm it goes to show how much the dancehall marauder is valued in Zimbabwean music scene.
The previous local artistes who were given the same status include Alick “Extrabasso” Macheso, Shingisai Suluma and Sulumani Chimbetu, who performed at last year’s festival. Since it will be an afternoon concert, it would be interesting to see how Winky D fares.
Will the Telecel Main Stage be packed as happened when he performed at the Coca-Cola Green last year? Is he going to have the same reception as last year and what surprises are in store?
Perhaps fans need to take note of Winky D’s words: “Don’t expect anything but the unexpected.”