ZITF 2016: Winky D, Jah Prayzaha��s crowning moment

Bruce Ndlovu
Jah Prayzah, Alick Macheso, Winky D, Sulumani Chimbetu and Oliver Mtukudzi are five of the artistes that have been touted as the a�?Big Fivea�? of the countrya��s music scene.

It is no secret that, as Zimbabweans tighten their belts, the crowds at live shows have been dwindling as people cut costs. The five aforementioned artistes however, have earned the Big Five tag because of their ability to bring in a crowd wherever they perform around the country.

Over the last few months Jah Prayzah and Winky D have seemingly started to break away from the rest of the pack, as they sprint ahead on the back of the popularity of both of their albums which were released last year.

While Macheso seemingly reclaimed his position at the apex of the countrya��s musical food chain with his new offering Tsoka Dzerwendo , it remains to be seen whether the project has the legs to carry him forward over the next few months.

The attendance at the shows in Bulawayo of the other big two, Sulu and Tuku, may be indicative of the status quo in the countrya��s music scene. Sulu performed in front of a good but not awe inspiring crowd at Club Royal in March, proving that although he has not had a chart topping hit in a while, he can still pull a crowd.

However, Oliver Mtukudzia��s show at the Large City Hall on Friday night during what was thought to be a bumper ZITF period may be indicative of the shift in the balance of power in the music scene.

Tuku pulled a paltry crowd on a night when it was thought that many would join him for the commemoration of Sam Mtukudzia��s life and music.

Fast forward 24 hours later and change the venue to the Bulawayo Amphitheatre, and you are reading from a different script. The two packed the Amphitheatre to the brim despite a counter attraction across town in the form of the Second Coming at Queens Sports Club.

On the same weekend that the countrya��s most celebrated superstar had failed to pull a sizeable crowd, Jah Prayzah and Winky D had pulled perhaps the biggest crowd of the year in Bulawayo.

Was ZITF 2016 the moment the two confirmed themselves as the alpha males on the countrya��s music scene?

Winky Da��s manager Jonathan Banda believes that the two are merely forging their path and looking to replace old heroes.

a�?Times change and newer artistes come on to the scene but that does not mean that the main objective is to replace Macheso or Tuku. They had their own journeys and these two are having theirs as well,a�? he said.