Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
IMAGINE local wheel-spinners performing in Japan at packed fan parks and arenas.
What about waking up to good news of a Zimbabwean disc jockey headlining a show in Germany or Austria?
Will this ever happen, or are we still miles behind?
Is it a bad idea to try to conquer the world and see how far we can go?
What does it take to meet the standards set by some of our regional counterparts — like Black Coffee from South Africa, who was recently in Mexico, wowing over 20 000 highly appreciative fans from start to finish?
Coffee’s playlist at the Mexican Pyramids also featured a sleek selection of songs by fellow countrymen, including Maphorisa, Shimza and Kabza, who do both deejaying and recordings.
Research has shown that such milestones set by regional DJs who have gone on to conquer the world do not come cheap.
It requires a huge investment — along with a change of mindset, professionalism and self-belief — while learning from the best people or institutions is a prerequisite.
Across the Limpopo, there are schools for disc jockeys, sound engineering, and stage communication where wheel-spinners are empowered to know their value.
Locally, DJs are yet to meet their regional wheel-spinners’ standards — not because they are not good, but because there seems to be a lot of negative energy pulling them down.
Of course, some are not creative, but we still have the best that are capable of conquering the world.
And it should start locally, then go regional, and finally go international.
Several wheel-spinners who spoke to the Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub concurred that it was never too late for our disc jockeys to go international.
Star FM presenter Ndumiso “Skywalker” Dube believes that Zimbabweans do not fully support one another.
“Zimbabwean DJs have all it takes to hold their own shows and go digital, but talent is not respected here,” Skywalker said.
“We have what it takes to go international and play our own local music overseas, but talent is still yet to be appreciated — something that has not worked in our favour.” Many people do not see any value in us (disc jockeys), yet they want our services.”
Despite being looked down upon, Skywalker believes Zimbabwean local DJs can still change the narrative by investing in their craft.
“As DJs, we need to put an A-game wherever we perform to ensure that we embrace technology and professionalism. By so doing, we can go international and fill big venues such as stadiums and fan parks,” he remarked.
Fellow hype man, Arnold “DJ Fantan” Kamudyariwa, who has been drawing full houses both locally and regionally, concurred with Skywalker that local talent should be respected.
“I have been following the debate, and as someone who holds regular shows alongside DJs, I have noticed that there are a number of factors that have made us popular — especially the need to embrace technology,” DJ Fantan asserted.
“The other reason why our services are now in demand is creativity, which has seen most event organisers go for DJs. Most DJs are now creative compared to musicians whose acts are predictable, while others do not have a lot of hits to last for an hour. Hence, event organisers choose disc jockeys.”
DJ Fantan, who was recently in Zambia, hit back at critics who are criticising local wheel-spinners for playing similar playlists.
“People who criticise us for playing similar playlists are crazy because we play what people want to hear. In every country where we travel and perform, we make sure that we research what they want to hear.
“As such, trending songs and sing-along tracks can make our jobs easier — as was the case when we went to Zambia recently.”
Radio personality Milton “Dee Knife” Nyabanga believes DJs have what it takes to conquer.
“DJs are creative, and they help us do away with monotony. In Europe, DJs have been filling stadiums, and we are seeing the same trend in South Africa and other regional countries, largely because of their creativity.
A number of musicians have fallen by the wayside due to monotony and their choreographs, which is predictable,” he said.
With the debate raging on professionalism, self-belief, and embracing technology, Zimbabwean wheel-spinners can still become big.
Everything starts with a step, and creatives should be allowed to conquer despite massive criticism and negative energy aimed at DJs determined to conquer the world.
