VISIONARY youthful Russell Mavhudzi says he will be responding to the escalating demand for reggae music through the October Reggae Explosion set for October 4 at the Sherwood Golf Course in Harare.
Through his brand Rus-tlah Entertainment, Mavhudzi, an entertainment consultant, secretary-general of Music Management Forum of Zimbabwe and International Music Managers Forum board member, has worked with reggae artistes for about five years in his career, which now spans over 18 years.
“By hosting different reggae artistes and attending their shows, I’ve become part of a reggae family and saw a niche market that reggae lovers have been starved of their required entertainment,” he said.
“After a successful Winter Reggae Fest on June 7, people have been requesting that we do another event and we have chosen October 4 so that all plans are carefully executed to avoid any disappointments for the reggae lovers and followers.”
Across the world, reggae’s journey began in the gritty studios of Kingston, Jamaica, giving a voice to the oppressed with conscious lyrics and hypnotic rhythms.
Icons like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Dennis Brown paved the way for a genre that soon inspired generations globally.
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In Zimbabwe, reggae took root as early as the 1980s, with legends like John Chibadura fusing it into sungura sounds.
Today, the reggae landscape has expanded into diverse styles from roots rock reggae to dancehall and Afro-fusion, and despite February being regarded as the National Reggae Month across the globe, October has gained special significance on the reggae calendar as the birth month of icons like Peter Tosh, Luciano and Frankie Paul.
Last year’s performance by Burning Spear in Harare cemented October as a month to celebrate reggae’s global and local impact.
Zimbabwe as a nation has a strong history of reggae following.
First generation musicians, especially sungura ones, included reggae openings or its flavour in their music.
The prominence of dancehall and conscious reggae music is an indication of the development of the genre of reggae from Roots Rock Reggae.
“So yes, there is a lot to celebrate in October within the reggae fraternity, hence the October Reggae Explosion,” Mavhudzi said.
“Our line-ups have always brought some element of surprise and quality entertainment since we attend shows of other bands and study their work ethic as well as ability to entertain.
“Those who can follow our social media pages under Reggae Wave Zim will get timeous updates on our line-up as well as request their preferred artistes.
“Likewise, it’s an inclusive event where us as organisers, the fans and the artistes are all part of the decision-making process showing one love and unity as this is the message of reggae.”
With potential guest artistes like Malawi’s Black Missionary Band and Mozambique’s Ras Haitrm in negotiations, the October Reggae Explosion promises to be a landmark event on the 2025 music calendar.
As its basslines echo from the shores of Jamaica to the heart of Africa, Zimbabwe is set to turn up the volume this October 4 at Sherwood Golf Course in Harare and be part of a day where music, culture, and unity meet under the sun and stars.
One stage, one love, one unforgettable experience.