The Sunday Mail
Andrew Moyo —
GAME CHANGERS, Chipaz Promotions, might as well be the most popular, if not the biggest music promotions brand in local showbiz, if the praises being showered on the company by top showbiz players in Zimbabwe are anything to go by.
From promoting upcoming acts to flying in international artistes, Chipaz Promotions has contributed significantly to the arts sector. The man behind the brand, Patson Chimbodza, will be celebrating his 43rd birthday with a big bash taking place at the Andy Miller Hall on November 19.
An array of artistes from across genres including Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Jah Prayzah, Hwindi President, Andy Muridzo, Soul Jah Love, Dadza D, Alexio and Peter Moyo, among others; are set to perform on the day.
The Sunday Mail Leisure spoke to a few representatives of artistes and musicians set to perform at the birthday bash and they shared their views about the birthday boy and how they feel about being part of the gig.
Keen Mashapaidze (Jah Prayzah’s manager)
Chipaz is one of the biggest promoters in the country so we are very excited to be performing at his birthday celebrations. I don’t think we could have been anywhere on this particular day because we would also like to show our appreciation for the man who has done so much for the industry.
Chipaz has been in the game for many years and played a pivotal role in the rise of Jah Prayzah and many other artistes.
Sam Mataure (Oliver Mtukudzi’s manager)
We are actually on a world tour until the end of the year where we will be performing in China, Japan, North America and a lot of other places but we are going to interrupt it a bit just to be part of Chipaz’s birthday celebrations.
It is a big deal for us, for him and for the showbiz industry in Zimbabwe. Chipaz really changed the game when he started music promotion around 2004 and we salute him for that.
Peter Moyo
Chipaz and I are one person, his birthday is my birthday as well. When I first came on the scene he took me under his arm. He has been supporting Utakataka Express even when my father was still alive so I have so much respect and love for him.
We just want to urge people to come in their numbers and also celebrate with the man who has changed the face of the local entertainment industry. This bash is really huge for us as a band and I am promising fans that we are going to give it our best as this will be the first time that we get to sample some of our new songs.
Tich Makahamadze (Alick Macheso’s publicist)
In the music industry, Chipaz is one of us and I am happy that we are uniting as artistes to also support him on his special day. We have worked with him for a long time and I am sure that everyone knows how mdara Chipaz has helped many artistes.
He has not just promoted music but many other things such as sport and beauty pageants, among other things, so as Orchestra Mberikwazvo we salute him. People should come prepared to enjoy the very best from Macheso because as you already know we always bring fireworks to the stage.
Freeman
We cannot dispute the fact that Chipaz has immensely contributed to the rise of Zim dancehall because if it was not for him, many artistes in the industry might not have made it.
He revived many concepts like the Cup Clash, which put many Zim dancehall artistes on the limelight. He is approachable. Even if I am having monetary problems, I can go to him and he will help me out. I just want to wish him more happiness and I pray that God gives him more years to live.
I am happy to have been chosen to be part of these celebrations and I promise nothing but the best from the HKD boss.
Joe Nyamungoma (Suluman Chimbetu’s publicist)
Chipaz is our elder because when we started he was the first person who worked with us and pushed our music. He would organise shows for us and sometimes even chip in on transport when we could not afford to travel so basically, he was very instrumental in our growth.
We are humbled to have been invited to also be part of his birthday celebrations because we owe this man so much.
Alexio Kawara
This bash is so important because we are celebrating and showing our appreciation for the man who has done so much for the industry. His contribution might not have been directly to me but somewhere somehow I have also benefited from what he has been doing.
I think it is important to have someone like Chipaz in the industry because of the attitude he has towards the business.
Simbarashe Nyaunga (Andy Muridzo’s manager)
Chipaz is like family because he has always been there for us and to be included on that poster is huge for us. He is the one who made it possible for us to launch our first album and did a lot to support our music so we would also want to show our appreciation on November 19.
There are people who might have thought our relationship with Chipaz was not so good but the fact that we are on that poster really says it all.
