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INDEED the 2014 edition of the Zimbabwe Dancehall Awards ceremony gave us some positive and interesting talking points.
This year’s edition was totally different (in every sense) from the inaugural. Keen followers of the genre will certainly admit that the event gave a clear picture of the current social standing of Zim dancehall.
Forgive my bad manners; congratulations to all those that emerged victors in their respective categories. Those who walked away empty handed, don’t worry, you are also winners by the virtue of your nomination. Next time it will be your turn. Just keep on keeping on.
Every individual is entitled to their opinion(s) but the general agreement among those who attended the event and those who analysed the final results is that the awards ceremony was up to scratch and spot on in most of the categories.
The only visible challenge on the day was time keeping, which the organisers had little or no control over. Both the nominees and fans started marching into the venue way after the 19:30hours kick off time.
It was through the announcement of winners that men separated themselves from boys and women from girls.
The success of Zim dancehall has largely been attributed to favourable airplay of songs by radio stations supported by clubs and Tendai Tembo aka DJ Flavor won in this category. And it is against this background that Star FM was duly rewarded by winning the Best Radio Station Supporting Zim dancehall.
Powered by inimitable characters in the mould of Godfather Templeman and Garry B, the station continues to be a pace-setter. Star FM has a number of slots that are solely dedicated to Zim dancehall.
Only a few individuals among the multitudes of Zim dancehall followers do not know about Zim dancehall Remedy and All Stars Party sessions that are held every week on the station.
Through the programmes, Star FM has undoubtedly made itself a leading voice in promoting Zim dancehall in electronic media. Fairness, Templeman said, was behind their success.
“The station plays music as it is. We don’t favour or get bribes to play certain artistes. Any good project has an equal chance of airplay. Our focus is on serious artistes, those that have the drive to succeed.
“We also help upcoming artistes by giving them advice on what needs to be done to succeed. Quality music is the trick in this business. It attracts listeners for the station and in the process fans for the artiste. ‘Dancehall Remedy’ is all about quality and that is why fans and artistes have embraced it,” he explained. On the programme “Dancehall Remedy” artistes have an opportunity to showcase new projects and new styles while fans can make contributions through various channels.
“We are people-centred hence we have open platforms for communication. If you notice, our shifts are shorter than other radio stations but we are still making a massive impact,” said Templeman.
He added that the awards have brought sanity to a genre that has previously been associated with negative issues. The corporate world unlike in the first edition of the ceremony was visible. Also, artistes inspired by the desire to win gongs produced quality work.
Seh Calaz/Soul Jah Love debate
It appears the battle between the two chanters is still far from ending. It rages on. The outcome of the awards was inconclusive. Both artistes managed to snatch crucial victories. Somehow the result is a clear reflection of the fans’ opinion though radicals might want to dismiss it. Seh Calaz won Best Vocalist, Best Video and Best Club Hit Song while Soul Jah Love walked away with Best Social Message, Best Collaboration with Shinsoman on “Hativasiye Vane Nyota”.
Winky D Vs Tocky Vibes
They all topped the winners’ list but it is Tocky Vibes who emerged stronger between the two. No doubt the Ninja president beats Tocky Vibes all systems out when it comes to live performance (stage presence and etiquette) and dressing. However, in terms of current public support and poignant lyrics, Tocky is second to none. The young lad is at present the holder of the National Arts Merit Award for Best Male Artiste of the Year award. In short, this is Tocky’s moment. He is at the apex. Tocky won Best Male Artiste, Best Social Message (shared with Soul Jah Love) and Song of the Year Award while Winky D won Best Live Performer and Best Dressed Performer. Judging with the victories, Tocky has enough arsenals to be King of Zim dancehall.
The Best Artiste Manager question
Godfrey “Vokal” Bakasa is a talented young and energetic manager who indeed has been in the thick of things, helping shape Seh Calaz from the misguided missile he was to a decent artiste. To his credit, Calaz stands among the few respectable Zim dancehall artistes with endorsements under his belt.
Vokal has created a Calaz that respects contracts, a Calaz that knows how to handle his brand in public and on any other day deserves to have been crowned Best Artiste Manager. But a painful reality is he lost to a better man.
What he (Vokal) is achieving with Calaz, Jonathan Banda long did with Winky D and is on another stage of further developing the Ninja president brand.
Clearly the young lad still has some distance to cover and should remain level headed.
Put simply, Vokal needs to keep his eye on the ball. He still has age on his side and will in the coming editions definitely walk away with the gong.
Categories
Some people felt the event had too many categories – some unnecessary. Nominees contested in 29 categories. Sadists always want to see others walk away in pain but unfortunately the set-up did not permit. This somewhat took away the zeal that characterise such events. Almost everyone walked away with a gong. Simply put, they appeared to be a need to create a balance among the winners.
Conversely, founder of the event Phineas Mushayi believes more categories still need to be added.
“So many factors contribute to the success of the genre and subsequently the artistes. The individuals behind the factors also need to be recognised. Talk of producers, Diasporas supporting the genre, online guys and directors that all contribute to the final product but operate behind the scene. We actually wished we could increase the categories but we were set back by lack of sponsorship,” said Mushayi, adding, “I’m happy with the outcome of the event, it went according to plan.”
However, promoters felt cheated as they were missing from any of the “many” categories.
“The event was a great improvement from what they had last year. You will certainly get one or two people complaining.
“It is always difficult to please everyone. I’m, nonetheless, disappointed that the organisers did not honour promoters. We are the ones that make the artistes big hence we also need to be recognised,” said Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza.
Other notable winners were Kinnah, Killer T and Ras Caleb (of Tokwe Mukosi fame) who walked away with the Most Disciplined Artiste, Most popular in the Ghetto and Best Conscious Song awards respectively.
Lady Squanda scooped the Best Female Artiste award, in the process proving she is certainly the queen of Zim dancehall.
Genre gets “important” support
The Zim dancehall artistes proved that they are loyal to the genre. A sizeable number of dancehall followers and promoters; among them business mogul Phillip Chiyangwa, Robert Zhuwao, Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, Lawrence Chinoperekwei and Boss Spencer graced the event.
Online Reporter