Cheso & Sulu working on Dancehall duet

NEW best friends Alick Macheso and Suluman Chimbetu, who not so long ago were sworn enemies, are set to record a dancehall duet.

The two artistes had a massive fallout a few years ago when some of Macheso’s Orchestra Mberikwazvo band members, including star dancer Francis “Franco Slomo” Dhaka, joined Sulu’s Orchestra Dendera Kings.

For several months after the desertions to the “Sean Timba” singer, Macheso did not spare an opportunity to take a dig at the dendera crooner.

Promoters who tried to stage shows pitting the two mega musicians continuously hit a brick wall as they simply would not see eye-to-eye.

Macheso even became very close to Tryson Chimbetu, Sulu’s cousin, who is known to be very low on Sulu’s list of favourite persons.

But then there was an unexpected turn of events: Sulu began supporting Macheso in his acts, particularly at Red Cross events, and then he showed up at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts when Macheso was locked in a bitter maintenance fight with Fortunate “Tafadzwa” Mapako.

And then the two shared the stage — just the two of them.

With the dancehall frenzy, fans saw them on several occasions jointly dropping some chants and imitating the young Zimdancehall stars.

Word has it now that the top artistes, who have confirmed that they will be releasing their separate albums before the end of the year, are set to release a track together.

As if to prove that their relationship is getting stronger, last week Macheso’s daughter Sharon, who will be tying the knot with her “long-time sweetheart” Kudakwashe Munetsi, announced that Sulu would be the star performer at their nuptials to be held at Oliver Mtukudzi’s Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton on August 11.

Chimbetu’s publicist, Joe Nyamungoma, last week said: “Sulu has recorded with dancehall artistes before, although the music was not purely dancehall. He is not afraid to try new things and that is the same with Macheso.

“These guys have been collaborating with other artistes for a long time and the songs are countless.

“So here they just decided to do an experiment by going into the studio before each of them releases their separate albums and drop a track for the fans. They have been discussing it for a while now.”

He went on: “Macheso is finally opening his studio at his house. He says the dancehall track will be used to test the equipment.”

Should Macheso and Sulu actually go into the studio and record a dancehall track, this would be a huge endorsement of the increasingly popular genre.