Unmasking the ‘famous’ Boom Berto

22 Jan, 2017 - 00:01 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Takudzwa Chihambakwe Leisure Correspondent
WHEN many were debating who would be the most played artiste during the just ended festive season, no one could have predicted that little known Albert Mushore aka Boom Berto, would steal the limelight.Heavyweights like Alick Macheso, Winky D, Suluman Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah and Killer T, got their usual fair share, but it was Boom Berto who won the hearts of many with his mega hit, “Mai Makanaka”.
The new kid on the dancehall scene has charmed music lovers with his single that comes loaded with witty and catchy lyrics, which he uses to praise a woman he is admiring.
In nearly all pubs, bars, parties and concerts held towards the end of the year, the most requested song was “Mai Makanaka” — it was on almost every DJ’s playlist. In fact, it still is.
But the 27-year-old, born and bred in Glendale, Mazowe, now based in Msasa Park, said he never thought the song would be such a huge hit.
“When we recorded the track late last year I never thought it would be such a hit. I had done a couple of singles with other studios in the city but I had not made a huge impact at all. I then decided to try recording at Chillspot Records in Mbare and that is when we recorded this track,” narrated Boom Berto
He continued: “However, as an artiste who had done some work and it had not gone viral, I thought this track would follow the same trajectory. This almost became a reality as there was no excitement whatsoever about the track in its first weeks.
“Surprisingly though, from nowhere, the ghetto youths began to love the track and soon people were singing it word for word, and the next thing I know, it had become a national hit, just like a bomb, ka boom.”
Mushore said in 2017, he will be dropping more tracks, especially for the ladies.
“This year I will be dropping a number of new tracks and my music will be on the lovers’ tips. Inenge ingori nyaya yekusimbisa ma bhebhi (It will all be about celebrating the women). I have realised that a number of artistes are singing about conflict and self-praise but I want to be the guy who sings and makes the ladies smile because they are such an important part of society and they should be celebrated,” revealed Boom Berto.
He also highlighted that this year he is set to drop videos, more singles and an album.
“We are in studio nearly on a daily basis riding on some new riddims and we just want to say to the fans ‘watch out for some more sizzling tunes in 2017’.
‘‘I am also working on my debut album, which is set to drop hopefully in April and like I said earlier, it will be on lovers’ tips.
“We are also working on videos and fans should expect the video for ‘Mai Makanaka’ this February, which also happens to be the month I was born.”
But who names themselves Boom Berto? Rather how did this moniker come about? The chanter took us down memory lane.
“The journey started way back in my teenage years at Rujeko High, I then later moved to Craneborne Boys High School and still I continued with the music. My stage name, Boom Berto, was given to me by my friends at school.
“The Berto aspect comes from my name Albert, my friends shortened it to Berto and as they got to appreciate my artistry, they began to say my music was ‘a bomb waiting to detonate’.
That is how the ‘Boom’ part of the name was birthed and I then merged them together to have Boom Berto,” he explained.
He revealed that he is also a qualified electrical engineer.
“After finishing school, I did an electronic engineering course at Species College and attained a certificate. I actually worked as an electric engineer for a while in my community but my passion was really with music so here I am,” said Boom Berto.
The artiste lamented the practice of some DJs, saying their conduct impedes the growth of underground dancehall artistes.
“I want to plead with DJs and other key players in the sector to avoid the system of selecting popular names when a new riddim is released.
‘‘Many a times when a riddim is dropped, the DJs only pick four or five tracks by the already established artistes and the rest of the material is not given airplay.
“This means new talent never get to be heard by the fans and their growth is hindered. So we plead with the DJs, both radio and club, to listen to all the music and not just go for big names when a riddim is introduced,” he said.

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