The Sunday Mail
Prince Maposa
KWEKWE-based musical outfit, JJ Vibes, has received a major boost from Annie Humbira the lady boss of popular clothing chain, Fashion Police.
JJ Vibes consists of four members – Coster Marozva aka C-ruz, 13-year-old Shingirai Runyanga known as Cable Vybz, Gift “ So Specil” Mankokwe and Philemon Magombedze also known as Phidza. Two of the talented artistes, Shingirai and Philemon, are visually impaired.
The JJ in the JJ Vibes name actually stands for Jairos Jiri, the famous association for people living with disabilities. The Sunday Mail Society caught up with JJ Vibes’ manager, Kelvin Ncube Chakawa, who was over the moon, saying for a little known band from Kwekwe to get such recognition was a dream come true.
“We all know the economic situation is not ideal. And some of our group members are underprivileged, so it is a challenge for us to dress for our music videos and live performances. We want to thank Fashion Police for the gesture as this is going to help us in the five music videos we are set to release soon,” said Chakawa.
He said Annie, the Fashion Police boss lady volunteered to dress them for every music event and video shoots. They have already been dressed for a music video for the song “Gadzira Ramangwana”, which they did with Poptain.
“After the Boss Lady (Annie) told us that she would dress us for every music video that we wish to do, we went into the studio and recorded a song called ‘Fashion Police’. We did it at Cymplex Muzik as a thank you to this special woman for showing us so much love. We are hoping to do a video for the song as well,” said Chakawa.
Humbira popularly known as the Fashion Police Boss Lady, is a fashionista who started off selling her wares on the streets but has since established a proper business with a number of shops in Harare. She dresses top musical acts among them, Soul Jah Love, Andy Muridzo, Peter Moyo, Baba Harare, Carlos Green, Seh Calaz, Enzo Ishall, Bazooker, Dadza D, Guspy Warrior, Trevor Dongo and Bounty Lisa.
“My vision is to go international in the near future. I am going to start my own Fashion Police television show, whose thrust would be to promote new fashion trends,” said Humbira.
She has dressed artistes like Baba Harare for his latest enthralling video for hit-song “Ramba Wakadzvanya” and Zimbabwe’s own international star, Jah Prayzah, for his “Hello” video.
Humbira said she was touched by the plight of JJ Vibes.
“They are so talented. When we met and when I saw their works, I just knew that I had to do something for them. They are so special and I know in my heart that they will succeed,” she said.
JJ Vibes kick-started their career through a collaboration with Pah Chihera. The song, “Tasanganiswa”, which was produced by DJ Miles at Propabless Studios catapulted them to another level. Later they worked with Cymplex and DJ Krispi at Solid Records where they released “Mhamha”.
“We sing everything — from dancehall, reggae, soul and Afro beats. We took part in the African Fire Media, Music and Arts Exchange season one, held at Pabloz Studios in Harare. We rubbed shoulders with the likes Tamy Moyo, Poptain, Shashl, Diamond Boys and Bryan K.
“Producers like Chiweddar, DJ Mega T and Sean 2 Miles from USA also helped us at that clinic. We also collaborated with an American rapper named Gshytt, the guy who featured on a dance movie ‘Stomp the Yard’. One of the tracks we did with him titled ‘African Diamonds’ was featured on his forthcoming album called ‘The Globe Trotta’,” said Chakawa.
Currently, JJ Vibes is working with the most talked about record label, Chillspot Records.
Their song, “Tinongokavira Kumberi”, has made waves through the music video shot in Mbare by Studio Art Pictures (SAP).
The group has also collaborated with Mbeu, Poptain, Codeblaxx, Major King and a rising hip-hop outfit The Mantik.
