The Sunday Mail
A programme meant to identify and promote new talent in the Zim-dancehall genre was launched last week in the capital.
Of late, the genre has been enjoying an upward trend, literally overtaking every other genre in the country despite the violent skirmishes that have characterised it (dancehall).
The growth trend has motivated aspiring chanters, mainly ghetto youths, to try their luck in the cut-throat music industry.
However, most of them have found it difficult to make a breakthrough due to financial constraints and a host of other challenges.
While others have been fortunate enough to get into the recording booth, for many chanting it remains an elusive dream.
But the coming on board of Fast Track Communications in association with Miami Night Club is set to bring a sigh of relief for the aspiring artistes.
In an interview last week, directors of the company said they had introduced a new programme that will be held on a weekly basis in a bid to boost the growth of Zim-dancehall.
The initiative includes open mic sessions and other competitions. It is expected to go a long way in helping talented but disadvantaged individuals and groups to realise their dreams.
Under the programme, wannabe artistes will get to showcase their talent in front of an adjudication panel and a dancehall-loving audience. Winners of the contest will get contracts to record with some of the country’s top dancehall labels.
Information obtained by this publication revealed that deals have been struck with top producers Roger ‘‘Levels’’ Kadzimwe and Jeepers.
“There is a lot of raw talent in this country, but most of it is going to waste due to lack of sponsorship and proper guidance.
“However, we have come up with a weekly competition for the aspiring chanters.
“Whoever wins during the open mic session will get a recording contract with some of the recoding stables that we have identified,” said one of the directors, Francis Zemura.
Apart from the recording deals, the aspiring artistes will also be linked with some established Zim-dancehall artistes.
“One might be talented but if he or she does not have proper guidance or channels to follow, that will count for nothing. We have been in the music business for a while and have created links with some of the big names in the genre hence we intend to create fruitful synergies between the newcomers and the veterans,” added Nathaniel Mahlunge.
In light of the increasing violence in Zim-dancehall, the Fast Track Communications directors said they will be preaching the message of tolerance within their sessions.
Music, they said, was meant to entertain people, not to leave them injured or dead.
“The artistes have to play a lead role in discouraging violence. We are going to make sure that we inculcate a culture of brotherhood and sisterhood within the artistes so that they shun violence. Going to music shows should not be equivalent to visiting a jungle or a war-torn region,” they said.
