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Tony Rebel hails Zimbabwean artists

Life & Style
JAMAICAN Tony Rebel has hailed Zimbabwean reggae band Hotta Fire for its expertise.

JAMAICAN Tony Rebel has hailed Zimbabwean reggae band Hotta Fire for its expertise.

Report by Entertainment Reporters

The band played for the musician who performed at the Shoko Festival on Friday and in Chitungwiza on Saturday at a gig dubbed “The Inauguration”.

Speaking to NewsDay soon after his performance on Saturday night at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex Tony Rebel said the nation has talent that must be promoted and taken for international tours.

The musician showered praises at local artistes like Mic Inity and Mannex among others and said he was impressed with what he had seen.

“I was stunned by the talent that I have witnessed in Zimbabwe.

There are very good and talented artistes like Mic Inity and Mannex among others who must be well supported,” he said.

“Zimbabwe is like my second home and I felt honoured visiting the country after failing to come here for the past 20 years.

“Everywhere I go, I travel with my band, but with the Zimbabwean tour I was told there was a band that would play for me and with Hotta Fire band there was no difference with my band back home. I was overwhelmed with their performance despite rehearsing only once.”

Asked whether he had intentions to collaborate with local artistes he said: “As a producer I have no problem and nothing can stop me from doing collaborations with Zimbabwean artistes as the sky is the limit.”

It was a night to remember for the local reggae and dancehall fanatics as they were treated to top drawer performances by all the local artistes who performed at the Chitungizwa gig.

Mannex, Lady Thunder and J Farai were the backing vocalists while an array of groups supported him.

The supporting acts included Freeman, Sniper Storm, Platinum Prince, Kinah, King Labash Bounty Lisa, Jiggaz and Spiderman, Jay C, Killah T and Lady Squanda among others.

This was Rebel’s second show with his maiden performance being at Shoko Festival where he performed at the Chiwoniso Maraire stage. Meanwhile, the third annual Shoko festival closed in style with an array of hip hop, spoken word and dancehall artistes mesmerizing fans at the Chiwoniso Maraire main stage at Water Whirld.

Dubbed “The Shutdown”, the official closing show saw both local and international musicians locking horns Saturday night.

Hope Masike and Monkey Nuts rocked the stage with their collaboration that has toured different countries including South Africa.

Their fusion of hip hop and mbira was greatly received.

Multi-award winning rapper Synik and South African spoken word artiste Ewok were, however, the best the night had to offer.

Their collaborative stage work that featured beat boxing and hardcore lyrics made them popular with the audience.

Zim hip-hop man-of-the-moment Jnr Brown stood his ground to give his audience an electric performance largely in vernacular rap.

His hit song Madrinks got the crowd singing along to the last word, but the collaboration with Tehn Diamond as the “Few Kings” left a lot to be desired.

The main act of the night, South African multi-award winning rapper Khuli Chana was on fire.

Though rapping in his vernacular which many locals do not understand, his act had the audience up on their feet in dance.

German DJs Symbiz Sound closed down the show with collaborations with various local musicians among the Dhadza D and Pauline Gundidza.

Though tight, their performance was greatly affected by technical glitches, leaving them with no choice, but to abandon some of their rehearsed songs.

Even after the main show, the audience stuck around till the wee hours of the morning entertained by live DJs.