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Entertainment Reporter
Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfield will tonight play host to Zim dancehall mash up featuring some of the big names in the genre. The gig starts at 4pm and coincides with Soul Jah Love’s 25th birthday celebrations courtesy of Conquering Music Tribe.
As usual fireworks are expected at the show when Seh Calaz, Shinsoman, Kinnah, Ricky Fire, Freeman and Dadza D take to the stage.
Other artistes billed to perform are Jah Child, Ipah Yute, Cello Culture, Jah Trigger and the popular Ras Pompy.
Soul Jah Love promised fans lots of entertainment and music plus surprise guests. He said Seh Calaz will also grace the event.
“I’m happy to say that Seh Calaz will be there. Calaz and I are best of friends regardless of what people say. He is coming to the show because kumangoma ndezve kunakidza vanhu (in Zim dancehall it’s all about happiness),” he said.
The “Hauite Hauite” singer was also happy to announce Winky D as the guest artiste.
“Mukoma wangu Winky anenge aripo achindibatsira kucheka keke. (My brother Winky will help me cut the cake). It’s a special day for me and I want people to come and have fun. It’s an all night gig and there should not be any rain fears, it’s all systems go,” Soul Jah Love said.
Winky D and Soul Jah Love are good friends. The two recently released their first collaboration single titled “MaGaffer”.
According to Soul Jah Love aka “Chibaba Chacho”, the two will perform the song live on stage.
The gig will also featured top emcee — Etherton Beenie and DJ Flavour of Judgment Yard as well as special appearances by Fyah Lynx.
Looking at the line up it is easy to see why this year has been a good year for Zimbabwean dancehall music. There were a number of artistes who stepped up their act and made names in the genre.
If there is an artiste who has taken Zimbabwean dancehall by storm, it must be Killer T.
His songs such as “Tirikumhanya”, “Makarova Gunners”, “Suspects”, “Officer Mirai Chirukazi” and “Ziso Rako Hameno”, have become popular at watering holes and clubs.
Born Kelvin Kusikwenyu, Killer T has become a household name not only in Mbare but in other high-density suburbs.
The dancehall star got his nickname from his brother who always referred to him as a “killer” of dancehall lyrics. He used to sing with his young brother Temptation and the combination became “Killer T” taking the ‘T’ from the latter’s initial.
His signature chant, the gun sound “Po po po,” has become synonymous with ghetto youths and of late he is on record for slamming factionalism through his oft-quoted chant “Isu hatiite zvemagroups”.
Dancehall star Freeman of the Danger Zone fame is another heavy hitter at the gig. Freeman born Emegy Chizanga who hails from Dzivarasekwa also known by its slang name as DZ short for Danger Zone is not only a force in Zimdancehall but his influence goes beyond his backyard.
Dhadza D whose rise to fame was when he released the hit “Dairai” commands a huge following in most ghettos. Dhadza D is known for his scintillating performances on stage.
While the gig is not a popularity contest it is by and large a battle as chanters will be out to outdo each other through their lyrical prowess.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter