Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
THE dynamic sounds of Zimbabwe have been echoing across the globe, thanks to the dynamic performances of hip-hop and R&B artiste Shone Zw and his DJ, Tatenda LXA. The duo have been captivating audiences as part of Coldplay’s highly acclaimed “Music of the Spheres World Tour”, joining a stellar line-up that includes trailblazing singer-songwriter Ayra Starr and Australian talent Emmanuel Kelly.
Since late last October, Coldplay has been thrilling fans across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The addition of the Zimbabwean duo has brought an exciting new flair to the tour, which has been hailed as “the greatest live music show-ever” by The Times and “genuinely stunning” by The Guardian.
Coldplay, formed in London in 1997, features lead vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion. The band’s performances, filled with hits like Hymn for the Weekend, have mesmerised audiences with their energetic live shows.
Tatenda LXA, a renowned DJ and producer, described the experience of performing at Eden Park in Auckland last year as “amazing”. “The energy and the crowd’s response were just phenomenal,” he said, reflecting on the electrifying atmosphere. The duo’s success has been so overwhelming that additional dates have been added to Coldplay’s schedule, with performances in Hull and London on the horizon.
Tatenda LXA, who has previously been part of Afro Nation and Legendary Music, is currently a resident producer at Roman Raps. He has collaborated with prominent artistes such as Bagga, Kikky Badass, and Crooger, bringing a wealth of experience to the stage.
For Shone, the experience has been nothing short of a fairy tale. He recently performed before Argentine footballer Lionel Messi and even shot his first-ever video in India with Coldplay. He was also part of the award-winning track Gore Remix. The blend of hip-hop and rock has proven to be the secret ingredient to many nights of musical bliss, resonating well beyond the confines of the venues where they have performed.
The British-Zimbabwean connection is not as new as many might think. Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin, who looks as English as a cup of tea, spent much of his youth in Zimbabwe, his mother’s birthplace. This is why he loves greeting the crowd with his opening line Maswera sei? (Good evening) when he steps on stage with poise and ease.
In an interview, Martin also shared a memory of hearing the song Graceland for the first time while living in Zimbabwe at the age of ten. He was trying to get the attention of a girl who, in his words, was “doing the eighties equivalent of not texting me back”.
“I remember this song playing and thinking, at least the music is awesome,” he recalled.
Coldplay concerts are always eventful. Beyond the usual spectacle of fans enjoying hits like Viva la Vida, there have also been some “abnormal” moments. Last month for instance, an incident involving a Chief People Officer and a former CEO from an astronomer company went viral. The pair were caught on the big screen at a concert, embracing before abruptly ducking and hiding. Martin’s reaction was priceless.
“Either they are having an affair, or they are just very shy,” he told the crowd.
