The Sunday News
Sunday Life Reporters
A STRING of Jamaican reggae artistes have been steadily flocking into the country since 2010 as promoters seek to cash in on the popularity of the genre in the country.
However, most have trekked to Harare leaving the genre’s fans in other parts of the country, drooling in envy at their counterparts in the capital. There was a glimmer of hope when one of the dancehall greats, Sizzla made a visit to the country in 2010 and made way to Bulawayo performing at Trade Fair grounds. In 2012, Fantan Mojah and Cocoa Tea performed at the Lion Lager Beer Festival at Hartsfield bringing much joy to the multitudes of reggae fans.
However, that was to be the last of performances by Jamaican acts despite a stream of artistes from the Caribbean country flowing into Harare. Top quality acts such as Sean Paul, Morgan Heritge, Chris Martin, Romian Virgo, Konshens, Anthony, Brick and Lace, Beenie Man, and Luciano have all taken turns to flirt with Harare reggae and dancehall fans.
Bulawayo fans have agonisingly watched from afar, envious like a jilted wife in a polygamous marriage.
Those with means travelled for the shows but the majority found solace in YouTube clips of the performances, long after the shows. This year the reggae gods seem to have smiled on Bulawayo. It all started with Turbulence, on 16 April, albeit on a low key followed by Mega Banton. Luckily, Y2K Promotions have decided to give the local dancehall fans an early Christmas, another reggae treat that promises to keep kings and queens of the city busy. Bulawayo hopes this would be one many such shows to come.
On 4 August, Busy Signal, one of the top acts on the global reggae scene, will flirt with the City of Kings at the City Hall car park. This will be the Turf Boss’s second visit to Zimbabwe after his maiden performance at the Glamis Arena in Harare where he drew an estimated 10 000 fans.
Performing under the banner of the annual Southern African Music Arts (Sama) Festival, Busy Signal is certain to draw a full house. The Jamaican artist, who real name is Reanno Devon Gordon, has elevated himself to the top of the reggae charts with various tunes that include Night Shift, Come Over and What If.
However, it was the album, Reggae Music Again that got him rave reviews and announced his arrival as a chanter ready to leave a mark on the reggae scene. Songs from the album, which BBC Music ranked number seven on their Top 25 Albums of 2012, include the title track, Running from the Law, Sweetest Life, Comfort Zone, Part of Life, Kingston Night and Run Weh topped charts, brought many to dance floors and fans’ playlists.
Singles “You and Me” and “Dreams of Brighter Days” are other songs that have seen Busy Signal’s stock continue to rise. Busy Signal is riding high on his latest offing, Phone Stress, which was released last month.
It is the hit, Free Up Black People on the Cold Heart riddim that is expected to keep the Bulawayo massive busy on the dance floor. The Jamaican Singjay recently told Jamaican entertainment show, Onstage that he was looking forward to returning to Zimbabwe.
“I now embrace my African fans and I will be going there in a few days’ time. I am going to have one show in Kenya at the Kenya National Stadium and I have two shows in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Y2K promotions manager Brian “Messenger Holyman” Hazanguri said all was on course for the show and expected nothing but the best performance from Busy Signal.
“The Sama will be coming to Zimbabwe for the first time but we decided it would be worth it bringing the best in reggae. Undoubtedly Busy is at the top of his game and he will be coming with a full set, a live band.
“He is eager to perform here after seeing many off his countrymen come to Zimbabwe. We also have South African house singer, Busiswa and a host of local artists, so it would really be a festival in the sense of the variety of musicians,” he said.
Local artistes billed to perform at the event include Winky D, Killer T, Cal_Vin, Sandra Ndebele, Mzoe 7, Tocky Vibes, Seh Calaz, Centre Party, DJ Lizzy, Madlela Skhobokhobo and Judgment Yard.
Advance tickets are already available and have been pegged at $10 and $25 for VIPs. They are being sold at the City Hall, BAC Leisure and TOK Sports shop.
