AFTER a year-long sabbatical, legendary music promotion company Chipaz Promotions led by Patson Chimbodza is set to make a return this summer.
By Sindiso Dube
Chimbodza’s last encounter with international acts was last year when he brought Jamaican artist Romain Virgo for the Black Opal Face of Zimbabwe finals. Before that, he had brought in I Octane at City Sports Centre in December 2015.
Chipaz will host South African multi-award winning rapper Cassper Nyovest in Bulawayo at the Large City Hall car park.
The concert will also feature Bulawayo’s top rapper Cal_Vin — who has a song with the South African — and dancehall chanters Soul Jah Love and Freeman.
Other supporting acts include Mzoe 7, Guluva Se7en, Asaph, DJ Skaiva, Dj Liz and Nospa.
Cal_Vin will make his third dance with Bulawayo before taking his act to Harare where he will perform on the Impala Car Rental event the following night.
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Chipaz said his break from showbiz was a strategic business move.
“I am still here doing what I love doing. I will never resign from the arts, but will redesign the arts sector. In showbiz, you need a fall-back position, the industry is a big gamble and we take big risks. For instance, once you engage the services of artists, police and any other staff, they need to be paid even if a show flops. Basically, I had not taken a break, but I was making sure that my BMW repair business was stable in the event that the showbiz industry fails me,” he said.
“I have a passion for music and I believe in identifying and nurturing talent everywhere, hence we are bringing in Cassper Nyovest with the help of Babongile Skhonjwa to Bulawayo. A number of local acts will showcase their talents there.”
Chipaz urged other promoters to provide more platforms for upcoming artists and feature them when they host international acts.
“As promoters, we should not stick to only renowned artists but also groom young talent for them to be big. We need more big names like in Jamaica, but that can only come if we give young talent a chance to prove their worth,” he said.
Chipaz is credited for helping artists like Tongai Moyo, Jah Prayzah, Andy Muridzo and Killer T among others to scale dizzy heights.
