The Sunday Mail
Dennis Chimanzi
The death of Zimdancehall star Soul Jah Love early this year appears to have taken the sting out of the once-revered genre.
In fact, Zimdancehall had in the last three or so years been suffering, and the demise of its leading light,whose real name was Sauro, was largely considered ominous.
Clearly, more chanters are abandoning their hardcore dancehall roots in favour of new and popular music trends.
However, Seh Calaz, who used to have a fierce rivalry with Soul Jah Love, has dropped a new offering, “Bvopfiro Pariro”, that is intriguing and has attracted favourable attention on social media platforms.
Controversial Prophet Passion Java is among some of the people that are finding the new project pulsating. Some of the songs that are doing well include “Shandawani”, “Ndofira Ipapo”, “Ma1 Aya”, “Bvopfiro Pariro” and “Kana Tauya”.
However, it appears the chanter always needs some rivalry of sorts for inspiration.
Seh Calaz, or simply Boss Yala, is dancing along to social media provocations that are pitting him against fellow chanter Freeman, who has also dropped his 11th studio album titled “Robbery”.
Freeman’s 10-track project features Tocky Vibes and Daruler.
Socialite and comedienne Felistas Murata, better known as Mai TT, ‘dissed’ Freeman’s effort by writing: “HKD Boss (Freeman) was robbed of his new art. I think this is not his because haangaimbe marara akadayi.”
Speaking in an interview, Seh Calaz confirmed that he cannot do without a rival.
“Since Sauro’s unfortunate demise, I have been left with no rival. I welcome any form of competition with open hands. Freeman and Killer T can be good rivalry. This is good for the industry,” he said.
“In the coming weeks, we are going to face each other head-to-head on stage. The actual date will be announced very soon.”
Freeman added: “Without any competition, you cannot grow. Seh Calaz is a fellow musician and colleague but we are in competition.”
Simon Mutambi cheats death
Sungura musician Simon Mutambi recently escaped death by a whisker on his way from a show in Beitbridge.
According to the musician, his vehicle veered off the road and rolled twice following a front-tyre burst. Mutambi was in the company of his two nephews. They all escaped with minor injuries.
“I heard a loud sound, like a gunshot, as a result of the tyre burst and I lost control of the car,” he said.
A few hours after the accident, he was ferried to Masvingo General Hospital where he received treatment before being discharged the following day.
He sustained minor injuries on his head, while his right leg was slightly fractured.
“ . . . I am in pain and using a walking stick,” said the musician last week.
Meanwhile, Darlington Kachere, who is the band manager, said the accident was not going to derail the singer’s plan to launch a new album.
Vee Mhofu invades Mzansi
VIRIMAI “Vee Mhofu” Nhedega and the Dziva ReMbira traditional ensemble will on Saturday invade Mzansi.
The energetic singer and composer will perform at Macanudo (Germiston, South Africa) on November 20 supported by another mbira group, Reloaded Mbiradzakondo.
The show is dubbed “Bira Revashavi”.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Society, Vee Mhofu said his group is geared for the event.
“Dziva ReMbira has been active since the relaxation of Covid-19 regulations and I can safely say the machine is now well-oiled following the long hiatus.
We are going to represent the country well and be good cultural ambassadors,” he said.
He is currently riding high following the release of his third studio album, “Izwi Remvura”, which carries masterpieces such as “Mucheka Weretso” and “Tsotso”.
The youthful singer’s gigs are attracting audiences from across the generation divide.
“This is just the beginning of our regional and international tours following the Covid-19-induced break.
“We have been getting a lot of enquiries from different countries and plans are afoot to travel. “Back home, I am glad that several people, both young and old, have developed a strong appreciation of traditional music. This is our culture and we must preserve it,” said Vee Mhofu.
