INFORMATION, Communication and Technology, Postal and Courier Services minister Supa Mandiwanzira has cautioned local artistes against big egos that have seen some dumping promoters who would have helped them reach the top, once they started enjoying stardom.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Speaking at the launch of Andy Muridzo’s second album at Dandaro Inn on Wednesday, Mandiwanzira said the rising musician was lucky to have promoter Partson Chimbodza who had identified his talent.
The launch of Ngarizhambe was also graced by Motswana music sensation Charma Gal.
“Problems with artistes sometimes are that if identified by promoters and they later start making money, they become big-headed leaving the promoters as they claim to know everything.
Stick to the one who promoted you from the beginning as you will go far. Some have gone to America, United Kingdom and Australia, but if you become big headed you will not go anywhere,” he said.
Mandiwanzira praised Chimbodza for backing artistes including Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu and Progress Chipfumo.
He, however, urged promoters to do more to promote local talent than bring in foreign acts who are paid lots of money, but expressed his gratitude to Botswana artistes with strong ties to Zimbabwe.
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“If we are to become a successful nation we must begin to appreciate that which is our own by putting them on the forefront first, before we put foreigners and the only way we can put our own is to have people like Chimbodza who are promoting young talent, identifying and putting it at higher level,” he said.
Mandiwanzira described Muridzo as a talented artiste with bright future.
“Andy, the way you have started you will go far vanoti wave kumberi seChair yaMakandiwa asi wapfura ipapo (they say you are ahead as Makandiwa’s chair, but you have surpassed the level). Some were saying your singing is similar to Jah Prayzah that if he charges too much people will opt for you,” he said.
He applauded artistes who graced the launch including Dino Mudondo, Kireni Zulu, Peter Moyo, Beverly Sibanda and Lady Storm for showing unity by gracing the launch.
Muridzo said he was optimistic that the album will do well on the music industry and thanked Charma Gal for gracing the occasion.
“To my friend Charma Gal all the way from Botswana, I salute you for your love accepting my invitation to gracing my launch,” Muridzo said.
“We are getting better by each day and many people now appreciate our music. I am confident that our second album will do well on the market as we want to prove that we have what it takes to be among the best groups in the country.”
Songs featured on the album recorded at Maselo Studios are title track Ngarizhambe, Tinopekedzana, Haungatikoromotse, Dherira, Tande, Chomuduri, Chidhafu Dhunda, Ngaituruke, Zvipande, Tungamira Tiende, Kuzvarira Kamwe, Handirambe Mukoma, Unoendepi, Sarunde and Dhali Huya.
Since the arrival of Muridzo and his Jeetaz Band on the local music scene, his brand of music had always been compared to that of Jah Prayzah, however, the Budiriro-based musician has denied being a copycat saying that the latter was his role model who inspired him to write songs.
The launch was also graced by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Elvas Mari, promoters Josh Hozheri and Mahwindo, Diamond Studio’s artiste and marketing manager John Muroyi among other representatives from the arts sector.
