The Sunday Mail
TOCKY Vibes’ behavior came under public scrutiny on Friday night after he made a scene by blocking Jah Prayzah from joining him on stage. The unbecoming act by the chanter was preceded by poor crowd management skills that prejudiced advance paying revellers who found it difficult to access the show venue.
Show promoters are estimated to have lost thousands of dollars as hundreds of revellers bulldozed their way into the VIP and VVIP sections. Fans broke the huge glasses at the entrance into the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) as chaos outside the venue spiralled out of control. As if Tocky’s questionable conduct was not enough, he failed to impress an urbane crowd at the HICC as shown by the lukewarm response to his performance. Oliver Mtukudzi diligently played his part putting up a vintage performance that easily whipped fans into a frenzy. From the onset, Samanyanga sent fans into spasms of delirium.
[SEE PHOTOS OF THE CHAOS AT THE SHOW on our Sunday Mail Visual News]
The legend’s hits including tracks from the latest offering “Mukombe Wemvura” such as the anthem “Dzinga Hwema” which kept fans busy on the dance floor.
Visiting South African ensemble Mafikizololo came after and they did not disappoint.
They delivered a top drawer performance that left fans clamouring for more.
However, things went horribly wrong after the “supposed” man of the moment Tocky came on stage. So subdued was his act that from the first track, people started walking out of the venue. Jah Prayzah might have felt the young artiste could do with more support and he tried to get on stage but Tocky blocked him from being part of his set.
Jah Prayzah was coming from his show at Pamuzinda. In fact, Tocky’s crew tried to manhandle the lanky musician backstage.
Tocky was furious about Jah Prayzah’s presence, suggesting the musician had come to “steal” his limelight. “We do not go to their shows so what does he want here?” said Tocky as he abruptly left the stage. But Jah Prayzah maintained his cool: “I just came to show solidarity and not to compete or outclass anyone.”
