ZIM DANCEHALL: It’s all about women’s day

08 Mar, 2015 - 00:03 0 Views
ZIM DANCEHALL: It’s all about women’s day Ninja Lipsy (left) and Juwela

The Sunday Mail

Ninja Lipsy (left) and Juwela

Ninja Lipsy (left) and Juwela

And it is encouraging to note that a handful of ladies in Zim dancehall representing the multitudes of women in Zimbabwe have finally decided to convey social constructive messages in their songs.

The situation in the Zim dancehall genre remains a dog-eat-dog affair but heavily lopsided in favour of the male chanters. And the females have to go shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts to make a mark.

But it is the message from the dominant group (male) led by the likes of Tocky Vibes, Winky D, Soul Jah Love, Kinnah, Sniper, Seh Calaz and Ras Caleb that has easily found its way to radio stations, clubs and subsequently the public.

Against this background, female chanters appear to now have collectively and consciously agreed to dedicate much of their recording time to producing “serious songs”, that is, tracks with substance. As celebrities they have seen the need to use their high social status to address issues that affect women in their day to day lives.

Though some of these female chanters have long been composing social constructive songs, it is the coming on board of the “bad girls” that has made the development interesting.

Previously, in the mêlée for recognition some of the top female chanters have resorted to using vulgar lyrics and engaging in uncouth behaviour in the process destroying their integrity and consequently, following.

For artistes like Lady Squanda, real name Sandra Gazi and Brenda Bechani aka Lady Bee, the ill-mannered strategy has somewhat worked, though it has guaranteed their fan base does not grow.

The mature crowd has shut out obscene music probably in the spirit of protecting their children. The beauty of clean lyrics has been witnessed on chanters like Tocky Vibes and Ras Caleb whose appeal cuts across generation divide.

It is not a secret that apart from entertaining, music has various contributions, both negative and positive, to society.

Poignant tracks like “Misodzi Yangu”, “Mazuva Ekuguma” and “Luv Haimanikidzwe” by Empress Shelly, Ninja Lipsy and Juwela respectively have proved that dancehall can be a good vehicle for preaching social righteousness.

Soul Jah Love’s wife Bounty Lisa recently revealed that the few years that she has spent in the music industry have exposed her to all sorts of abuses that female musicians endure at the hands of promoters and producers.

“Being a musician and a wife has exposed me to various situations of life.

“I have noticed that women are abused in various facets of life particularly at workplaces and that needs to be addressed either through music or any other form of campaign,” says Bounty Lisa.

“One hopes the spirit of social responsibility continues to dangle around the female chanters.

“The genre that is popular mostly for negative deeds is in need of such fortitude.”

The popularity of Zim dancehall knows no boundaries as Zimbabweans at home and abroad, part with their hard-earned cash to watch the predominantly youthful musicians perform. With such a huge following, comprised mostly of ghetto youths, positive messages by chanters like Ninja Lipsy, Empress Shelly, Angel P, Xpatriot, Empress Fyna, Lady Banks, Stami D and Juwela are likely to have wide reaching positive effects.

In fact, the constructive approach will create a niche market for the female chanters who are estimated to be not more than 10 percent of the total number of artistes in the genre.

Add to this, a new breed of exemplary chanters will also be created.

Afro-jazz musician, Diana “Mangwenya” Samkange, who has featured on riddims produced by Mount Zion Records, said it was not only important but the duty of Zim dancehall chanters to use their popularity to promote gender equality and fight domestic violence. Addressing social ills, she added, helped improve music’s appeal.

“Inasfar as we try to conceal domestic violence, it does happen. I think it’s high time that more female Zim dancehall artistes rise and start producing meaningful songs.

“Some are already doing so but we want more to come on board.

“Domestic violence is a concern the world over and it requires us (musicians) to help fight it.

“Besides these kinds of messages are real-life issues that people want to hear in our music,” said Mangwenya.

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