The Sunday Mail
Andrew Moyo
IT is difficult to imagine that there is anything in showbiz that still excites Lynn Magodo aka Lady Storm, who featured as a star dancer on Jah Prayzah’s video “Eriza”.
Yet when she speaks of her upcoming gig with superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi at Cutty Sark Hotel in Kariba on June 11, she runs out of words to describe her elation.
Lady Storm, who until her appearance on Jah Prayzah’s DVD album as Eriza, was a virtual unknown showbiz player but has become one of the most sought-after performers in the country.
The Sunday Mail Leisure caught up with Lady Storm at a recent gig in the capital for a brief chat and this is what she said: “I don’t even know how to explain the feeling right now because just the thought of sharing the stage with the legendary Tuku is overwhelming.
‘‘These days I am being invited to perform at so many gigs but this one will be special and I am honoured to be part of such a show.”
The lady of the moment’s schedule is packed as promoters scramble for her services, but nothing is more important than a date with Tuku in the resort town of Kariba.
“It is the first for me in Kariba so I am just hopping that people will come in their numbers to witness first-hand Eriza’s magic.
‘‘This is a big opportunity for me to showcase my talent to a new audience and I don’t intend to disappoint,” she said.
Lady Storm has been sharing the stage with Zimbabwe’s top acts and she is yet to disappoint, with her dance moves and catchy rumba music keeping the crowds coming.
She is still a greenhorn in the cut throat music industry but signs are that she has a bright future ahead. Perhaps it is her military background that gives her resilience and the drive to keeping shoving hard.
Lady Storm served in the army for three years and was discharged on medical grounds.
“My father was a solider and I ended up following his footsteps but then I developed ulcer complications which automatically signalled the end of my career in the army,” explained Lady Storm.
She was not a professional musician until last year when she recorded the eight-track album “Ndisvikewo”, produced by Dr Tawanda.
“Many people think that I am a dancer who evolved to become a vocalist but that is not the case.
‘‘I only started dancing in order to complement my music and I ended up discovering that I’m also good at it. I more of a musician than a dancer.”
With only a year of experience under her belt, the musician career received a boost when she featured on a Jah Prayzah video as Eriza.
“I owe my success to Jah Prayzah who gave me an opportunity to feature on his video.
‘‘This is when things started shaping up for me.
‘‘If it wasn’t for him, maybe I wouldn’t be this popular.
‘‘Before the Eriza video, I had limited exposure though people who used to come to my gigs knew about my talent.”
With many critics sceptical about her ability to keep up the momentum, Lady Storm is unfazed.
“Everything is currently flowing well at the moment but that is no reason for me to relax.
‘‘I am currently in the studio working on a new project that will be released soon. Some of the songs on the project includes collaborations with Roki and Andy Muridzo.
“There are plans to record a duet song with Slizer but my busy schedule that sees me perform on most days of the week have a created challenges on the final execution of the idea.”
At the moment Lady Storm is still using backtracks but has expressed a desire to start using a live band.
The 23-year-old is not yet married but is off the market and is in a serious relationship.
‘‘When she is not on stage, she enjoys watching various television series productions, with “Tyrant” topping her list.
