Super-sub Tocky steals UK show

Takudzwa Chihambakwe
WITH only a week before the Zim Connect concert in the United Kingdom, Soul Jah Love was dropped from the line-up.
UK immigration denied the “Ndiri Zvinhu” hit-maker a visa as he owed England’s National Health Service £9 000 in medical bills.

The promoters, providentially, got the services of a guy who many mistakenly believe to be a spent force.

For a guy who gave us “Aenda ne Nyika”, indeed Tocky Vibes has been too quiet.

But on the night of the concert on February 24 at the O2 Peninsular Square in London, “super-sub” Tocky gave the most outstanding act among the likes of Ammara Brown, Stunner, Trevor D, ExQ and Charlie Kay.

But what is this youngster’s secret? How does he always manage to steal the show?

Tocky Vibes has alternated between genres since 2015, and even as fans complain that they don’t like this, he still dazzles at home and abroad.

“The secret is that I do not have any secret,” he quips. “I simply give all the glory back to God for He enables me to do all things that I do,” says Tocky.

“I was humbled to get such a massive and warm reception from the crowd throughout my entire set when I performed last Saturday. It can only be God because I was never supposed to be in London in the first place.”

After further experimentation in his last album, “Tsamba”, released in January 2018, Tocky says the mixing and matching will not involve pure gospel music.

“Yes, God is behind my success and has given me my gift, but I am not going to do gospel songs. I believe through the music I am doing I am already preaching the gospel. For instance, when I sing about love, this goes in line with the greatest commandment, which says love your neighbour as you love yourself; so by doing this I am already preaching the gospel,” he says.

But Tocky explains that he is not a Christian.

“I am not a Christian but I do what God wants me to do – always. You can find me in a Pentecostal church today, the next day I will be with Rastafarians or an Apostolic sect. I simply do what God instructs me to do. I am my own person – a unique being that has never been seen.”

Tocky says he does not regret abandoning dancehall in 2015/16 for reggae and contemporary music.

“Though some people stopped listening to my music, I do not mind because I was doing what God had told me to do at that time. No matter what people feel as long as I believe in what I am doing I am fine.”

He says public opinion does not mean much to him, and he cares little for what is said on social media.

“Still on the point of remaining true to God’s objective in one’s life. I am one who does not pay much attention to what people say on social media platforms. I believe that there are two sides to the whole situation. If you get positive comments or feedback, you run the risk of becoming proud as fame might get to your head.

“On the other hand, there is the issue of negativity. Bad comments on these platforms can brew fear in an individual and hence prevent them from doing what they were planning to do as they no longer have the faith,” he explains.

So why have a Facebook Page?

“The Facebook Page is used by my management. I rarely go there and when I do I rarely read the comments.”

Another factor that stands out in Tocky’s artistry is how he makes videos.

With just one camera and a very simple script, the singer can pull off a video whilst his peers use three or four cameras plus a lot of props and extras.

“I love being spontaneous. On this visit to the UK, we shot two videos.

“I don’t take days to plan for my shoots, I just call the cameraperson and tell him where to meet me and we do the job. I’m not good with elaborate plans, and if you over-plan your enemies will figure out what you’re doing and disrupt you. So I just do what I feel I have to do at the time.”