The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday Life Correspondent
WHEN it all started out, Vuka Plumtree was a track designed to uplift and unite Plumtree artistes based locally and abroad.
Months later since the launch of the single, it has realised fruitful results as the arts scene in Plumtree town, known as Titji, is becoming a favourable space for female artistes.
Female artistes mostly from small towns have come under scrutiny for failing to make a breakthrough as their male counterparts usually get the big slice of the cake in terms of recognition and support.
For Plumtree female artistes, it is a different case as things are changing for the best.
This is so as a female version of the Vuka Plumtree track has been released and all thanks to Plumtree-based arts promoter, Handsome “Handy” Sibanda.
From the male artistes, the track is a fusion of afro pop and hip-hop and had Plumtree-based artistes Tsibi, R.S, TWT and Babongile Sibanda. South Africa-based Bif Skuad, Teekay Mxoexic, Demoe Rose, Ice Eazy, Croft BRKAY and Thabo are also part of the project.
For the new paradigm with soothing voices of songstresses are Hazel Ncube, Bridget Msikana and Moesha Ncube all based in Zimbabwe and those based in South Africa are Patience Masokana, Prosperity Mpofu and Anita Kasawaya.
Handy who said the song with an instrumental produced by Ace Kata and with everything mixed mastered by Skaiva seeks to give female voices the power in the arts sector.
“Arts is a cut-throat industry which is not favourable to many and mostly female artistes have been in between a rock and a hard place in being appreciated. Through the song that talks about the beauty of Plumtree and seeks to shine a light on it, we hope the song will change the careers of these talented raw musicians,” Handy told Sunday Life.
Handy said his devotion is largely focused on uplifting arts in the border town.
“Taking note of how the music industry is at times seen as a luxury with many failing to buy music online, we are going to be giving out the track for free. This is to give mileage the track on its own and at the end achieve what we are all about,” said Handy. — @mthabisi_mthire
