The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sunday Life Correspondent
MOBILE network operator, NetOne has launched an online music show, OneFreeStyle that is set to feature over 50 local artistes.
The weekly online show, a collaboration with acclaimed music production house, Chillspot Records, is being aired on NetOne’s recently launched online platforms, OneTV. The platform is available on YouTube and Facebook.
Acting NetOne head of marketing and public relations, Dennis Chagonda said the weekly show will involve over 50 artistes of different music genres.
“OneFreeStyle has 10 episodes that will air every Sunday on the OneTv YouTube and Facebook Channels. We are excited about this new project as we aim to create content that our current subscribers and those aspiring ones love, and can participate in,” he said in an interview.
NetOne launched OneTv, a digital channel through which the company will broadcast various entertainment content.
Chagonda said they kicked off OneFreeStyle last Sunday with an act that saw performers such as Ricky Fire, Gupsy Warrior and Dadza D showcasing their acts.
He said to keep the suspense and excitement they will be releasing the names of musicians on a weekly basis as they aim to avoid pre-empting names of those that will feature throughout the 10 episode act.
Meanwhile, NetOne also scored a first when they unveiled a compilation album titled One World late last month on its online platforms. The One world album is also available on online music stores.
The album features eight explosive tracks from locally acclaimed bands and talented artistes such as gospel maestro Tinashe Magacha, hip-hop star Natasha Muz, multi-talented John Cole, singer and actress LeeMchoney, record producer Chiweddar, the versatile Allanah, dancehall artiste Jah Signal, the multi hyphenate star Probeatz, the ever green rapper Holy Ten and Dendera royalty Allan Chimbetu, and afro-fusion artiste Mbeu.
The album features new content created specifically for One World and are exclusive to OneTv and NetOne digital channels, but can be played on any other platforms such as radio and TV.
The song list is as follows, mega hip-hop star Holy Ten delivers on Figo while Jah Signals features with his track titled Vasikana. For a dose of the legendary Dendera ululation, Allan Chimbetu serves Murudo. Mufaro by Allanah, Fambe Fambe from ProBeatz and Handivadaire perfomed by Mbeu.
Collaborations on the album included the versatility of rap star Natasha Muz with a worship element and melodic guitars layered with the voice of Tinashe Magacha in Ndoenda. Actress and singer Lee Mchoney joined super star choreographer/ musician John Cole as well as the voice of the highly acclaimed producer Chiweddar on a track titled Candy which vibes on zimpiano fusion.
“We are very excited having launched OneAlbum on NetOne’s new online tv channel OneTv.”
“OneTv is a strategy was to broadcast shareable, interactive and sustained content that will motivate the customer to want to always be in touch with its brand.”
“Consumption of digital content has greatly increased over the past few years and was further accelerated by the 2019 novel coronavirus-induced lockdown restrictions that left artistes without income sources as gatherings were sanctioned up to now hence digital is the way to go.”
“Viewers can go to our OneTv channel on YouTube and Facebook for highly entertaining content which we will continue to showcase as the programme gathers momentum.”
Apart from informing, educating and entertaining, the platform will also be used to broadcast NetOne products.
Chagonda said the platform is a great tool for creating brand awareness as an increasing number of people are spending a lot of time on the platform thus interaction with NetOne related content is most likely.
“In launching One World, our objective is to have every music loving Zimbabwean access the music, enjoy it and unify through it as well,” he said.
