Vacancy in the Big Five

. . . meet Zim’s future stars

Leisure Reporters

THERE is a vacancy in the Big Five (top five artistes in Zimbabwe), it seems there are only three occupied slots right now and the rest are up for grabs.The top three, in no particular order, are believed to be Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso and Jah Prayzah.

That is not to say the aforementioned three are absolutely safe, no, Zimbabwe’s music industry has become unpredictable – anyone can be toppled and any person can rise, even from obscurity.

Forget contenders for the top slots like Suluman Chimbetu, Winky D and Peter Moyo among others.

There is a fresher, hungrier crop of artistes ready to take over. The likes of Mbeu, Sam Dondo, Gary Tight, Andy Muridzo and Bryan Kadengu, to name just a few.

These artistes are no jokers, they mean business.

Take Sam Dondo, for instance, who last week roped in Tomas Brickhill as his manager – his arrival on the market seemed overhyped and unreal but he is proving able to hold his own. He has featured on many gigs and continues to rub shoulders with the best.

On September 30, he helps Tuku unleash his new product “Eheka Nhai Yahwe” at Borrowdale Country Manor alongside Jah Prayzah and Tariro neGitare.

Jah Prayzah and Tuku helped Sam Dondo launch his own album earlier this year.

His debut offering “Dyara Minamato”, which featured Suluman Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah, is receiving very good airplay on radio and his rich lyrics have stolen the hearts of the mature crowd, which is quite difficult to please, especially when one is still starting.

Dondo is already preparing to unleash another eight-track CD on November 25. His handlers say the album is set take the young man even higher on the musical rankings.

Munya Viya of Vialy Studios, who produces Sam Dondo, says budding artistes should never wait too long to unleash new material as they need to build up their own music.

Dondo’s manager, Brickhill, says he has a vision for the young man.

“I have experience grooming young artistes at the Book Café that have gone on to be household names.

“Sam and I share the same sentiments about his music and music in general.

“I believe he has the necessary raw talent but needs guidance at this early stage to help him bring out his own original sound and identity, and I believe I can do that,” said Brickhill.

Could the vacancy at the top be filled by Sam Dondo?

He has lots of competition.

Leading the pack of these promising musicians is the much talked about Andy Muridzo. With his new album having gone viral, getting a lot of airplay on radio stations and in most pubs and bars, all the youngster needs is to be given a slot at a big event and if he does justice, he will surely be unstoppable.

He has currently been playing at nearly all the joints in the capital and has recently started getting invites in other provinces of the country, meaning that his reach is gradually growing and so is his following.

Muridzo is a student of mega star Jah Prayzah, but it seems the student could soon surpass the master.

Next up on the list is 2014 Starbrite winner, Bryan Kadengu, who has been topping the charts with his single “Heavy Machine”.

The young lad has shared the stage with big stars such as Mi Casa, Tuku and Victor Kunonga and has both the mature and the young dancing to his music.

Not only is he a good vocalist, he is also a magnificent guitarist.

“Bryan Kadengu has been very busy over the past couple of months as he is working on a number of new projects which will drop soon,” said his manager, Walter Wanyanya.

“We recently launched his new video for the chart topping track ‘Heavy Machine’, and it is set to premiere on MTV next week and we will also be on Mzansi Magic. We shot it in Durban. We have finished recording an acoustic track and we will be shooting a video for it in Nyanga next month.

“He has also been busy shooting four videos for United Nations as he is an ambassador alongside some top acts from Southern Africa. We will also be dropping the video of the track he did for the United Nations soon.

“l am also excited to inform the nation that he will be dropping his new single ‘Chiuya’ this summer so there is a lot to look out for,” revealed Wanyanya.

Another dynamite package is Gary Tight.

The charismatic guitarist and vocalist has developed from his early days of doing cover versions at the Book Café to become a recording artiste who has dropped palatable tunes.

“The doors are opening up in amazing ways for me. Nowadays I get to do three shows a week and also get invites outside Harare, something that never used to happen,” said Gary, who is legend Willom Tight’s son.

He added: “We are currently dropping singles as opposed to a full album and this has been working for our good as fans get to fully grow into each track.

“The track ‘Tight Party’, has been doing very well on radio and l am really grateful for the support I am getting and will keep working hard to grow in all aspects of my music.”