BY WINSTONE ANTONIO/KUDZAI CHITSATSO
ZIMDANCEHALL music has undoubtedly transformed the local music industry and lives of many artists across the country. The genre has also inspired many youths to take up music as a career.
Among the artistes who have contributed to the current status quo are Ninja president Winky D, Killer T, Kinah, Nutty O, Seh Calaz, Freeman, Guspy Warrior, Lady Squanda and the late Soul Jah Love, among others.
The year 2021 brought with it new voices in the Zimdancehall circles, deaths, international collaborations, new albums and controversies.
On a positive note, some artistes were recognised for their lyrical prowess that saw them winning local and international awards.
Controversies
Passion Java, Seh Calaz tiff
There was a war of words between chanter Seh Calaz and controversial preacher Passion Java in November. Java had taken to Instagram to mock Seh Calaz, describing him as a spent force who had churned out three albums in one year, but had nothing to show for it in terms of wealth.
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Seh Calaz responded with a video saying Java was just bitter because he turned down his offer to join his Passion Java Records. He went on to release a diss track dubbed Handibvume Kupusiswa, produced by Lazy T. Seh Calaz claimed that Java was not a promoter, but a culture vulture whose intentions are to use musicians for clout before dumping them. In response to the diss track, Passion Java under his recording label dropped an unreleased Soul Jah Love song dubbed Nzwisiso. In the midst of the tantrums, the Mumota Menyu Murikubvira hitmaker claimed that the flamboyant Passion Java sacrificed the life of the late Soul Jah Love, who was under Passion Java Records management at the time of his death early this year.
Lady Squanda in robbery storm
Zimdancehall queen Lady Squanda, real name Sandra Muchaneta Gazi, was in May reportedly implicated in a kidnap, robbery and assault storm after she was accused of bashing a man she accused of ending her love affair with a local car dealer only identified as Boss Moyo. It is alleged that the female chanter kidnapped, assaulted and robbed Victor Chaponda, popularly known as Pablo in Chitungwiza, of his valuables. A report was made at Chitungwiza Police Station under RRB 4767689.
Chanter Silent Killer arrested
Chanter Jimmy “Silent Killer” Mudereri was arrested in November for alleged assault. He was alleged to have assaulted Tinashe Kamudyariwa, younger brother to famous wheelspinner Arnold, popularly known as DJ Fantan.
Enzo Ishall fights with Holy 10
Zimdancehall maintained its culture of controversy normally associated with the late Soul Jah Love and Seh Calaz, but this year Enzo Ishall joined them with his tantrums directed at hip-hop singer Holly 10 over the King of Zim hip-hop crown. Their beef made noise with Enzo Ishall later calling for fellow dancehall artistes to come to his rescue.
Winky D bags international awards
Dancehall president Winky D won the Africa’s 2021 Accountability Music Award with the song Njema off his 2019 album with the same title. The ONE, Accountability Labs and Trace Africa sponsored gong celebrates artistes who speak against corruption through music. The award came on the backdrop of another international gong, the Jamaican International Reggae and World Music Award (IRWA).
Soul Jah Love dies
On February 16, the showbiz industry was plunged into mourning after the death of award-winning dancehall singer Soul “Soul Jah Love” Musaka, who succumbed to diabetes complications at a city hospital and was declared a liberation hero. Aged 31, Soul Jah Love was laid to rest at the Warren Hills Provincial Heroes Acre where he was honoured with a 21-gun salute as he was being buried next to his father, Ephraim. His burial was not short of drama, just like his life as mischief followed him to the grave.
Enzo Ishall quits, rejoins showbiz
In September Enzo Ishall shocked many followers of his music and dancehall genre at large when he announced that he was quitting music for good after releasing a gospel song Ehee.
In his announcement, Enzo Ishall said he was going through some personal issues and wanted to rebuild his life. Surprisingly, within a month he made a sudden U-turn and returned to the showbiz again as he released a new track titled Zuva Risingasvike.
Born Kudzanai Mamhere, Enzo Ishall rose to fame in 2018 after featuring on the Avion riddim with his song Kanjiva, which became an instant hit at the time.
New Zimdancehall voices
Zimdancehall is a genre that keeps ushering in new talented artistes almost on a daily basis. Popular record label Chillspot Records unleashed talented young talents such as Young Star and Likkle Art famed for the song Musarwadziwe.
Dancehall awards cancelled
The annual Zimbabwe dancehall awards failed to take place this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has continued to choke the showbiz industry.
International collaborations
Many dancehall artistes have made an impact with international collaborations. Among those who managed to collaborate with international musicians are Nutty O, who collaborated with Jamaican artiste Demarco on track Ndiwe off his album Mustard Seed.
Some of the released albums
A number of artistes have made an impact this year with their new albums. Talented and lyrical dancehall star Emmanuel Manyeruke, popularly known as Guspy Warrior, has released his new album titled Emmanuel (a gospel reggae/dancehall fusion).
Another popular dancehall artiste, Killer T born Kelvin Kusikwenyu, released a 16-track album titled Inzwai Kuchemawo Mambo.
Nutty O released an album titled Mustard Seed, while Freeman dropped an album titled Robbery.
Zimdancehall cup clash postponed
The annual Zimdancehall cup clash which is held at its ceremonial home City Sports Centre in August could not happen due to COVID-19 restrictions.
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