The Sunday Mail
Mtandazo Dube Leisure Editor —
REMEMBER the Shut-down Harare gigs, The Big 5, Chipaz Bhora and those initial Zim dancehall shows that featured over 20 artistes on one stage? That was the work of Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions.
We know the man better as Chipaz, the guy who has brought game-changing ideas to the gamble called music promotion.
He has upped the stakes, brought fresh themes and renewed interest in live shows and showbiz as a whole. So you can imagine the dismay that followed my initial interest when I saw a gala-like poster with a star-studded line-up of performers bearing Chipaz’s logo with his face being the biggest image on the advert. It simply read: “Birthday Celebrations.”
Shortly after the flyer was posted on a WhatsApp group that I am a member of, someone immediately commented, “Ma theme arikunetsa mazuva ano” (fresh themes have become scarce). What had gone wrong, I mused. Had Chipaz and his team run out of ideas to the extent of unimaginatively branding an event “birthday celebrations”? So I gave Chipaz a call.
And surprisingly he sounded excited about the project. He said organiser-in-chief Benji Nyandoro of Jive Zimbabwe had come up with the idea and much to Chipaz’s surprise, artistes and other stakeholders had bought into the idea.
“It is unheard of, a promoter promoting another promoter,” said Chipaz, adding, “I must be doing something right.”
The gig features superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu, Andy Muridzo, Peter Moyo and a plethora of Zim dancehall as well as urban grooves artistes.
That got me excited. It is definitely a festive season starter — a thriller in the making. A gig that is easy to market and, given the support the show has received from companies, organising it should be a stroll in the park.
Nyandoro, who is as busy as a beaver, explained that this was a way of honouring Chipaz, acknowledging the good being done by a fellow promoter.
Said Nyandoro: “Coming out to do this gig for Chipaz is highly unusual. Promoters are always fighting each other for the same cake. But I believe that as promoters we should strengthen each other.
“The cake is still too small to fight over. We have to combine forces to stage even bigger events. This is our small way as Jive Zimbabwe of saying to Chipaz ‘thank you for growing this cake to this level where we can all eat’.”
He added: “I am humbled by his team and the artistes that agreed to be a part of this event. This is more than a birthday celebration. This is a massive endorsement of a guy who not only changed the game but is known for doing unique things.”
Nyandoro said everything Chipaz touched from nightclubs to restaurants became massive success stories.
“Look at what he did with Zim dancehall even with sungura and gospel. He has supported a number of youngsters with advice, things like PA Systems, cars to ferry instruments, guitars and marketing.
“Today look at the number of artistes that use his venue, Dandaro, to launch their albums or grow their fan bases. I just felt it was time we celebrated someone while they are still able to enjoy the benefits that come out of such endeavours not when they are on a deathbed or sometimes dead.”
Indeed Chipaz assisted the likes of Jah Prayzah, Sulu, Kapfupi, and several Zim dancehall artistes in their formative years. I saw him attempt touring outside Zimbabwe with Tuku, Madzibaba and Tedius Matsito.
As Tongai “Dhewa” Moyo battled cancer and struggled with his medical bills, Chipaz was one of those always by his side. And when Peter took over the band after his father’s death Chipaz held the young man’s hand and steadied him.
At the height of the cholera outbreak, he organised cholera awareness campaigns and benefit concerts. He is the first promoter to win a National Arts Merit Award (Nama).
Jamaican artistes Popcaan, Luciano, Charly Black, I-Octane, Busy Signal and Romain Virgo all know that in Zimbabwe there is a man called Chipaz.
As he turns 43 on Thursday November 17 and then celebrates his birthday in style, surrounded by music superstars, fellow promoters and hopefully thousands of music lovers two days later — I say congratulations, sir.
