IN a thrilling display of Afro-fusion music, DNA Band from Mashonaland Central province’s Bindura and Harare’s Chitima emerged victorious at the weekend in the provincial competitions, claiming the last two coveted spots in the Chibuku Road to Fame national finals.
Scheduled to take place on October 4 at Harare’s Gwanzura Stadium, the highly anticipated event promises to be an unforgettable experience.
DNA Band leader Farai Meki and Chitima band leader Charles Chakanetsa promised to play for the highest reward in the competition.
Accordingly, DNA Band and Chitima join Core Vibes, an Afro-fusion band from Midlands, All in One (Afro-fusion, Mashonaland West), Simuniziva (Afro-fusion, Matabelaland North, Dab Band (Afro-fusion, Bulawayo), Bolamba Culture Birds (traditional contemporary music, Matabeleland South), Afro Pulse (Afro-fusion, Masvingo, Mnenga Band (Afro-fusion, Manicaland and Jungle Foxes (sungura, Mash East) in the Chibuku Road to Fame national finals.
The Chibuku Road to Fame competitions are a collaboration between the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and Delta Beverages.
Running under the theme Celebrating 25 Years of Discovering Talent, the national final prizes are as follows: US$15 000 plus a recording contract for the first prize, US$10 000 for the second prize and US$7 000 for the third prize.
The provincial showdown, held at Makuluwani Bar in Harare, was a testament to the incredible talent Zimbabwe has to offer.
With only two representatives from each genre — sungura, traditional, reggae, dancehall and mbira music — the competition was fierce, yet the atmosphere remained electric.
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The contestants, fuelled by their passion for music, delivered mesmerising performances that left the audience in awe.
The second position from Harare also went to Afro-music bands, Music Crossroads Academy’s Khaya Lami and Mashonaland Central’s Shanda Band.
Third positions were taken by Rimi Band from Harare which plays traditional music and Mashonaland Central’s Mt Darwin Stars Band which play sungura.
The top winning three bands from each province walked away with cash prizes.
The first prize was US$2 500, the second being US$1 500 and the third was US$1 000.
Afro-fusion is a dynamic and evolving genre that merges traditional African rhythms, instruments and melodies with contemporary styles such as jazz, funk, reggae, rock and hip-hop.
It is a bold celebration of African heritage while embracing global musical influences, creating a unique sound that resonates across generations and cultures.
As the MCs expertly hyped the crowd, the different flavours of Chibuku flowed effortlessly, with sales counters buzzing with activity throughout the event.
The excitement wasn’t limited to the stage, as free-style sungura dancers showcased their best moves, vying for a Chibuku pet.
Band members from and Mashonaland Central’s Mt Darwin Stars Band also displayed their dancing ingenuity.
Despite two minor technical hitches caused by a power outage, the sound system’s powerful output and impeccable mix ensured that the performances shone brightly.
The winners, DNA and Chitima, stood head and shoulders above the rest, their victory a testament to their exceptional talent.
As they took to the stage once more, their performances transformed into jubilant celebrations.
Mark Ngwazi, his brother Tindo Ngwazi and Jah Lemmy kept the energy high, entertaining the crowd for the remainder of the evening.
The event not only showcased the incredible talent of Zimbabwe’s musicians, but also cemented Makuluwani Bar’s reputation as one of Chibuku’s favourite drinking spots.
The prestigious Chibuku Road to Fame National Final Winners Hall of Fame boasts some of Zimbabwe’s most celebrated musicians who have emerged from its stage, including Progress Chipfumo, Mark Ngwazi, Tindo Ngwazi, Romeo Gasa, Andy Muridzo, Jah Lemmy and Guruve Sounds, among others.
With around 20 national winners recorded to date, the competition continues to be a powerful catalyst in shaping the country’s music landscape.
Clive Jonga, band leader, back vocalist and mbira player for RIMI Band, was thrilled to have been placed third in the competition.
“Coming close has motivated us to keep improving and pushing ourselves,” he said.
“Congratulations to the winners, and we look forward to future challenges. Much love and thanks to Chibuku.”
