The Sunday Mail
Dennis Chimanzi and Chaplin Singende
PREPARATIONS for the late Soul Jah Love’s commemoration gig scheduled to take place on August 6 have gathered momentum.
According to organisers of the event, the gig will take place at City Sports Centre in Harare.
This was one of Soul Jah Love’s favourite hunting grounds.
Actually, City Sports Centre better known in Zimdancehall circles as “Kugomba” was where the late liberation hero frequently defended his title.
Born Soul Musaka, the talented singer died on February 16 last year.
Since passing on, no big event has been held to honour the fallen legend as the nation observed various Covid-19 protocols that were put in place to curb the spread of the virus.
Chipaz Promotions, working with Yala Nation and Chillspot Records have since set in motion plans to ‘officially’ honour the fallen chanter.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown made it impossible for us to honour him (Soul Jah Love). Since last year, we have been waiting for the right moment to do so and the time has come now,” said Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza.
He added that apart from remembering the late chanter, the event was also going to be used as a platform to promote upcoming talents, a thing that Soul Jah Love was fond of doing.
“The event is not only to commemorate Soul Jah Love but it will be an open platform for up-coming chanters to showcase their talents. We have a number of them coming through the ranks. However, they have not been getting such platforms since the onset of coronavirus,” added Chipaz.
Beezman, who is popularly known as Chipoko ChaSauro is expected to grace the event.
The chanter got people talking when he recently featured on Mukoma Panga’s latest single “Sadza Nemhiripiri”.
Only an attentive ear can quickly distinguish between the late Soul Jah love and Beezman’s voice.
“I cannot wait for the day. I want to deliver my best and prove that Soul Jah Love is not dead. He is speaking from the grave, through me,” said Chipoko Chasauro.
Chillspot Records indicated that they were going to capitalise on the event to unveil new signings.
“There was a vacuum left behind by Soul Jah Love. Zimdancehall is now lacking a star in the mould of Sauro (Soul Jah Love), that person who can make things happen. We hope we will find one or more from the new crop that we have,” said Arnold “DJ Fantan” Kamudyariwa.
He notes the country has gifted singers that only need to be identified, nurtured and given proper exposure for them to reach their full potential.
“Music talent is not only in Harare. We need to travel far and wide so that we can reach all corners of the country. Believe me, there is a lot of talent, quality talent for that matter, in the outskirts that is currently being ignored,” reckons DJ Fantan.
Yala Nation boss and founder Seh Calaz said the event was going to evoke emotional memories for him.
He will be part of the performing artistes.
“I do cherish the several clashes that we used to have with Soul Jah Love. My ‘battles’ with him is what largely shaped my career to what it is today. Each time we met on stage, the venue was guaranteed to be packed and magic was expected. Fans would get value for money through first grade acts. I miss those days,” said Seh Calaz.
