Fifty underground dancehall chanters selected under the Zimdancehall talent search programme will showcase their prowess on the microphone today when they share the stage with an array of renowned chanters at Harare gardens today.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO OWN CORRESPONDENT
The show, dubbed Zimdancehall Breakthrough, will see 10 of the upcoming artistes performing using live instruments, an initiative that has been hailed by the promoter of the event.
Speaking to NewsDay, the event co-ordinator Jackie Dzambasa of Chipaz Promotions said they wanted to continue with the mission of unearthing hidden talent across the country.
“We are continuing from where we left last year as we seek to take dancehall to the world. Today’s show is aimed to promote talent for underground artistes who are failing to get exposure,” Dzambasa said.
“I am urging dancehall enthusiasts to come in their numbers and witness the new breed of dancehall chanters who are ready to take the genre to another level.”
According to Dzambasa, after today’s show, 10 artistes are going to be selected and signed under their stable (Chipaz Promotions).
Veteran chanters who are set to spice the show include Dhadza D, Freeman, Guspy Warrior, Soul Jah Love, Sniper, Killer T, Seh Calaz and Kinnah, among others.
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On the female side, Sandra Gazi, aka Lady Squanda, Brenda Bechani, known as Lady Band, Bounty Lisa, real name Linnet Musenyi, are the only ladies that are challenging the male-dominated genre and they will be out to prove their prowess.
Popular disc jockeys DJ Bhaffy, DJ Blue Ice, DJ Rude, Digital One and DJ Krispy, among others, have also been awarded the chance to showcase their skills on the turntables.
Some of the artistes who are billed to perform said they were ready for the show and are promising fireworks as they will be sampling new songs.
Dhadza D, the energetic artiste who has a record of mesmerising audiences with his dances, said he was well prepared for the show with polished acts for fans’ hard-earned cash.
“I am going to set the venue ablaze as I belt out new songs like Chitungwiza and Ndini Fire King among others,” Dhadza D said.
Another chanter, Guspy Warrior, said he would be out to show that he is a serious contender for the dancehall throne.
“This is a good stance taken by the promoter giving platform to the upcoming artistes to showcase their talent.
“It is now left for the artistes not to spoil the show, but to put up fine performances that would really bring the significance of the platform they have been accorded,” Guspy Warrior said.
The country’s dancehall genre continues to grow, judging from the number of artistes who have ventured into the genre and several Jamaican dancehall artistes like Capleton, Elephant Man, Tony Rebel, Turbulence, Mavado and Agent Sasco, among others, visiting the country.
