JIBILIKA Dance Trust (JDT) in partnership with PEPFAR on Thursday launched a 12-track dancehall album titled Positive Riddim. A collaboration of various local artistes, the album rides on the self-explanatory riddim.
KUDZAYI ZVINAVASHE
JDT projects director Plot Mhako said: “Zimdancehall has over the past few years risen to dizzy heights creating a frenzy across the country and beyond thus influencing and informing youth behaviour. “We believe that if young people do not learn the way we teach, then we teach the way they learn and young people listen more when spoken to in their language and Zimdancehall is the youth language in Zimbabwe.” The artistes that have made songs in this riddim are Shinsoman, Killer T, Freeman, Tally B, Tocky Vibes, Tiva Styles, Platinum Prince, Element B, Spiderman, Spartan X, Jay Tee and Juwela. The album, produced at Mt Zion records by Temptation Chirenje popularly known as Tman, is laden social commentary messages like the importance of education, condomising and faithfulness, among others. The artistes featured in the music project are set to perform in some of Jibilika’s campaigns and talk to students in schools about HIV and Aids. While the riddim has been dominated by male artistes project co-coordinator Gamuchirai Danzvara said she was confident more female artistes would come forward in their follow up project. Counselor for Public Affairs at the United States Embassy Karen Kelley said without access to the right information and services young people will continue to be exposed to more dangers of contracting sexually transmitted infections and HIV. “Our support to this initiative is tailor made for young people to enable them to acquire information that will be useful for their everyday decision making,” she said. Artistes on the project were chosen through their social standing and despite the monetary reward they will also impart constructive messages. This comes months after Platinum Prince released a controversial song titled Mona Wakandigarira which was complemented by an equally controversial video that featured the prominent pole dancer Zoey. Speaking at the Press conference on behalf of all the artistes involved in the music project, Platinum Prince pledged to spread positive messages. The campaign is set to be taken to other cities across the country.
