The Sunday Mail
A couple of days ago, the world bade farewell to 2015, which was dubbed “gore rezvidzidzo” (year of learning).
The year was eventful in showbiz and several things that transpired are worth revisiting.
There was no shortage of drama and excitement in the losses, mishaps, blunders, successes and milestones.
Gone too soon
It was yet another year of losses in the arts and culture industry as Daiton Somanje, Chiedza Brown, Mudhara Danger and Kiki Divaris crossed to the other world.
The country lost some of its most talented arts practitioners. In April, Daiton breathed his last at a hospital in the capital. Then there was the unexplained death of Chiedza Brown in September, daughter of the late mbira queen Chiwoniso Mararire and Andy Brown. Suicide, we were told. Could there be curse in that family?
When her mother Chiwoniso died, mourners were denied body viewing and the coffin was confined in the hearse until burial. Fidelis Cheza aka Mudhara Danger was also found dead in his bedroom in October. For a 67-year-old imbiber who had lived his life to the fullest, no foul play was suspected but what a great loss it was to the film industry. And only last month, Kiki Divaris died aged 90. She was another great, a liberation war heroine. The modelling industry wailed, the film industry mourned, musicians grieved and Government accorded her a State-assisted funeral. Full of life right to her grave, Kiki lived a full life and she left many memories to cherish.
Jah Prayzah becomes king
If there was any doubt before, 2015 proved that Mukudzei Mukombe, popularly known as Jah Prayzah, operates on a different level.
Like a hurricane, Jah Prayzah swept away everything in his path when he unleashed his latest offering “Jerusarema” in June. He filled up venues and made truckloads of money in the process. He dominated newspaper headlines and finally capped the year with a high quality and well scripted DVD album. If his competition does not catch up soon, the “Eriza” hit-singer is likely to dominate 2016 again.
The fall-outs
From Zim dancehall to sungura and even the hottest band in town — Jah Prayzah’s 3rd Generation — there were management shake-ups.
Alick Macheso and his manager, Tsandukwa had a great fall-out after over a decade together.
Tsandukwa believed that he was more of a partner than a mere tour manager. Of course he was dumped like a piece of junk. Although he initially tried to fight his dismissal, he eventually accepted his fate. Lucky for him he is a beneficiary of Government’s highly successful land reform programme. We hear he is now busy cattle ranching at his farm.
Although details relating to the real reasons why Jah Prayzah dumped his manager, Filda “Mother Filo” Muchabaiwa are sketchy, it was a less than amicable divorce. Lawyers had to be called in to ensure tempers did not flare up but in the end, Mother Filo was convinced to go away quietly. To date, she has kept her silence. It must have been a golden handshake, she does not seem to have fallen on hard times at all.
Tawanda Mumanyi aka Seh Calaz also dismissed Godfrey “Vocal” Bakasa. Vocal, who had become the face of Mabhanditi — Calaz’s outfit — also left quietly and we hear that he may soon find a new home at the Bodyslam Family.
Sungura king fails to rise
As has become the norm, speculation about the imminent release of Alick Macheso’s new offering dominated showbiz headlines. Unfortunately for the singer’s fans, there were empty promises, another year has gone by and the “Mundikumbuke” singer has not put the long-awaited 10th album on the market.
Many thought the departure of his long-serving manager Tsandukwa would yield better results but it seems that is not helping. Will the sungura king rise in 2016? Only time will tell.
Peter Moyo’s ‘bad luck’
It is a case of a dream that never was. Peter Moyo dreamt of being the top sungura player in 2015, especially with the release of his well-woven second album, “Mabasa aMwari”.
He even called himself the Sungura Messiah, maybe that is why his album was rejected.
But if truth be told, the boy did wonders on that album. The lyrics and beat were on point and for those who have come to understand Peter and his singing, his voice was on point too. What could be going wrong with the Young lgwe? He tried to behave in 2015, not many girlfriend issues, yet he is barely up there.
Biggie, Chipaz come together
Two of the country’s most active promoters, Biggie Chinoperekwei of Devine Assignments and Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions put their differences aside to collaborate on what became 2015’s biggest show. Both promoters have previously been honoured by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe through the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama).
They have often competed for artistes and audiences, holding shows a stone’s throw away from each other and battling for audiences, but they pooled resources to bring Jamaican superstar Busy Signal to Zimbabwe. Considering the success of the show, perhaps they should combine forces more often.
The show dubbed ‘Carnival Shutdown Gig’ proved to be one of the biggest events ever staged by an international act in recent years with a huge crowd that saw the Glamis Arena being packed to capacity.
It was also one of the few occasions that a visiting headline act did not disappoint. With a polished performance that left his fans yearning for more, Busy Signal proved why he is highly regarded worldwide.
Minister Mzembi hoodwinked
The Toni Braxton show lived up to its billing.
Toni and her sisters, who were backing her, looked glamorous and delivered on the big stage.
However, Babyface, who curtain-raised for Toni almost stole the show. The “Its No Crime” singer sang most of his hits, danced and even mingled with the crowd. But not to be outdone was the promoter of the concert — Bernie Bismarck — who was accused of hoodwinking Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi.
According to Minister Mzembi, the promoter begged the minister to convince the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to allow her to pay certain concert related fees after the show, but Bismarck failed to pay the US$15 000 after successfully staging the event.
Harare International Carnival thrills
While the 2015 edition of Hifa might be easy to forget, the same cannot be said about the Harare International Carnival, which turned out to be one of the biggest national events in recent times.
Although the number of people that attended the Street Party was exaggerated, there is enough evidence that multitudes flocked Harare’s central business district to witness the biggest street party ever staged in the country.
Miss Zimbabwe circus continues
The chop and replace scenario has become some sort of tradition in the Miss Zimbabwe camp.
Emily Kachote was given the boot after her nude pictures allegedly went viral. Kachote’s replacement, Anne Grace Mutambu created no buzz during her reign and her sojourn to China for the Miss World competition in December went unnoticed.
With the amount of money that Miss Zimbabwe Trust spends on the event and the glamour that they have brought since taking over, it boggles the mind why results are still not coming.
Mr Ugly’s shock popularity
Still on pageants, the Mr Ugly contest turned out to be the most popular one on the international scene with every major news outlet in the world running with the story. What shocked the world was how someone, a past winner of the contest, could launch a scathing attach at the judges for cheating him of his “rightful prize”. William Masvinu believes he is the ugliest man alive and could not stomach being judged second best.
Zim dancehall craze continues
The Zim dancehall legion has carried on with its victorious campaign on the entertainment scene.
For the greater part of 2015, Killer T aka Kelvin Kusikwenyu was on top of his game, boasting of an album laden with hits that dominated the music scene.
Songs like “Itai Ndione”, “Ngavatendwe” and “Ngoma Ndaima”, among others, were on continuous rotation on radio stations and in night clubs.
However, towards the end of the year, Winky D, born Wallace Chirumiko, came in and stole everything from the Mbare-bred self-anointed Matapi Chairman.
Winky D’s party song “Disappear” and others like “Awuya Wuya” and “Not Nice” off his singles collection “Kickstape” are making quite some noise.
As usual, the likes of Sniper Storm, Soul Jah Love and Ricky Fire kept blazing while newbies like Dobba Don made announced their arrival.
Tuku celebrates milestone
Hard to ignore was Oliver Mtukudzi’s 40th anniversary celebrations at the multi-million dollar arts and hospitality centre, Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton last month.
Like a real superstar, Tuku first filled up the Pakare Paye Garden on December 5 before hosting hundreds of friends and colleagues for lunch the following day.
He was celebrating 40 years since he started his music career.
Although we cannot publish all the moments, events and individuals that left a mark in 2015 due to space constraints, The Sunday Mail Leisure will continue to keep you informed during this year.
