The Sunday Mail
Turn-table superstar DJ Flevah, real name Tendai Tembo, of top Zimbabwe-based international sound house, Judgement Yard, is elated at the opportunity for him to take his deejaying talents to the Big Brother Africa house at the end of this month.
However, the 30-year-old DJ said he was not entirely over the moon as he was going into the house without the other half of his act, Etherton Mutemasango aka Etherton Beenie.
Said Flevah: “I am excited but I am still hoping that a way be found to let the complete act of myself and Beenie go into the house and bring it down.
“This is our opportunity to shine as a team and show the whole world what we are capable of. However, if he cannot come I know he will be with me in spirit and I will make sure that I show them what Judgement Yard is all about.”
Judgement Yard, which recently returned from a tour of Botswana, is set to tour South Africa where they will also share the stage with Black Supremacy led by the mightily talented Simple Simon.
Flevah, who is one of the most successful dancehall DJs says that his recent rapid surge to fame via dancehall does not define his limitation as a dancehall selector but the span of his diversity lies deeper within the history of his career.
As one of the front liners in the dancehall mixtape super kings, Judgement Yard, his selections are up to the times with international dancehall tastes and trends but the “sound boy” has not always been a reggae mixer.
“I want to give a point of correction on the perception of me making a living off dancehall alone. I don’t make a living off dancehall solely but am pursuing a career in music as a DJ. My passion for music has seen me make a mark as a DJ in playing any genre you can think of.
“Basically, l have performed well in playing music in general, my history as a DJ is longer than the current recognition of dancehall. I have a very deep foundation and understanding as far as making a living out of my passion for music is concerned,” said Flevah.
Coming from an 11-year long career that became rewarding in recent years, thanks to the massive distribution of Judgement Yard live performances, he has headlined top tier shows that most artistes can only dream of, ranging from Hifa, the Victoria Falls Carnival and stints in South African night clubs, all because of his unmatched abilities as a selector.
“The selector has the most challenging task of reading the audience’s mood in determining what specific track to play at a specific time utilising a distinct change-over from one song to the next, one riddim to the next. The MC on the other hand should be an orator, highly skilled in the art of persuading the audience about what to expect from the coming track, also the MC puts the audience in the best mood to enjoy tracks selected by the DJ.
“More-so, energy levels within a given crowd are solely the result of the musical chemistry between the MC and DJ, which is why I would have wanted to go with Beenie,” said Flevah.
