×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Luciano heads for Zimbabwe?

News
JAMAICAN reggae sensation Luciano, born Jepther McClymont, is billed to perform in Zimbabwe on April 10 at Long Cheng Plaza, Harare, courtesy of Chipaz Promotions

JAMAICAN reggae sensation Luciano, born Jepther McClymont, is billed to perform in Zimbabwe on April 10 at Long Cheng Plaza, Harare, courtesy of Chipaz Promotions, NewsDay has learnt.

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

Initially, the Give My Love A Try singer was supposed to have performed in Harare at the Sting 2014 show on November 1, but cancelled the trip due to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa.

The cancellation was after the Jamaican government issued a travel warning against travelling to Africa to its citizens.

“We are truly saddened to hear and watch this illness hurt so many of our fellow brothers and sisters, so as attempts are being made to stop this truly horrific situation.

“We keep you all in our thoughts and hope that this will be resolved as soon as possible. Blessed love from Luciano, Jah Messenjah,” he posted on his official Facebook page in November.

The concert organisers had already paid Luciano half of his appearance fee which they opted not to be refunded when the musician cancelled the show.

Although organisers of the concert have kept their cards close to their chest, some sources close to the goings-on told this publication that preparations of the concert were at an advanced stage.

“Luciano will be performing in Harare next month and the event organisers, Chipaz Promotions, are still sorting the papers with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and National Arts Council and everything is moving according to plan,” the source said.

NewsDay is reliably informed that Luciano will be supported by a number of artistes, among them Winky D, Seh Calaz, Soul Jah Love, Dadza D, Kinnah, Freeman, Lipsy and Sniper, while on the turntables will be the likes of veteran wheel spinner Gary B, Templeman, Judgement Yard, DJ Cables and Legendary Sounds.

Efforts to get a comment from Partson Chimbodza were fruitless as his mobile was not reachable by the time of going to print. Luciano performed in the country in 2007 when he was flown in by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.

Luciano is a devout Rastafarian whose lyrics promote consciousness and shuns slackness which is often prominent in reggae and dancehall music.

He began recording in 1992, with his first single Ebony & Ivory on the Aquarius record label, followed by a debut album Moving Up for RAS records in 1993.

After voicing-over for several covers for the producer Sky High, Luciano released Give My Love A Try, which was produced at Castro Brown’s New Name Studio and was a hit in Jamaica.

He, however, rose to prominence in the mid-1990s, at the height of the “Rasta Renaissance” in dancehall music, beginning with the album One Way Ticket in 1994.

With local artistes appearing to be running out of steam and promoters trying their luck on foreign artistes, but with only a countable number living up to expectations, Zimbabwe is fast becoming a first-choice destination for most Jamaican musicians proven by the number of those who have performed.

The growing popularity of reggae and dancehall has seen an array of Jamaican musicians, among them Beenie Man, Sizzla, Kalado, Turbulence, Mavado, Capleton, Lutan Fyah, Beres Hammond, Cocoa Tea and Fantan Mojah, performing in the country.