Zim’s own Vybz Kartel
SOUTH AFRICA-BASED dancehall chanter Takunda “Addi Queffa” Mapondo is making waves abroad with his style likened to that of jailed Jamaican chanter Vybz Kartel.
Addi Queffa made his mark after releasing his latest song titled Killing off the Festival Riddim.
His manager Boss Vegga said the 26-year-old, from Chipinge, is set for greater heights.
“He is going to rock the dancehall music scene because he sings like Vybz and his lyrics include Jamaican Patois and Shona, and he is doing well here in South Africa as well as back home.
“His latest offering on Festival Riddim, Killing is one song that is really making noise and its coming out with a video that is one to watch with a different visual that has never been shot in Zimdancehall.
“Killing is a song that truly shows that we have talent in Zimbabwe,” said Vegga.
Added Boss Vegga:
“Addi Queffa has many new songs coming out this year and Dust Road Records has plenty of new riddims and new artistes coming out this year so watch the space.”
The chanter’s music was recorded under Dust Road Records in South Africa headed by Boss Vegga, who works with Iton of Iton Music as his producer.
BABA HARARE reckons creativity and generating debate among fans remain part of showbiz.
The 32-year-old jiti music exponent said it was high time fans got value for the music hyped using various stunts.
Baba Harare sent social media abuzz over the weekend when he posted screen shots of his latest video Handidi Zvekumitisa starring television presenter Nomagugu Ncube.
Many on social media were quick to conclude that Baba Harare was “off the love market” after he insinuated he had finally formalised his relationship with Noma.
As expected, it turned out it was just one of those stunts expected of musicians when hyping their yet-to-be-released work.
And for Baba Harare — a then skinny singer turned beefy bouncer — it has worked since fans have embraced his video Handidi Zvekumitisa.
“It was just a video concept that we worked on over the weekend and I don’t know why people were quick to conclude that I was off the market,” he said.
The Bikita-bred energetic crooner and guitarist made it clear that he was still available on the market.
“Ndichiripo pamarket, ndirikutotsvagwawo, ndisu tichaita zvekumhanya here? I’m really impressed by the feedback that I have received from the fans ever since we released Handidi Zvekumitisa where I am urging those in love to formalise their affairs and get the blessings of their parents,” he said.
To bring the matter to sleep, Baba Harare gave a detailed statement which read:
“On Sunday I posted behind the scenes pictures from a video shoot of myself and Nomagugu Ncube as a prequel to our duet single released today titled Handidi Zvekumitisa.
“My fans affectionately known as the Jiti Family got excited at my pending nuptials and lit the internet on fire.
“As February is a month of love, Noma and I collaborated to bring our fans a love song, which drops on my YouTube channel today and on all major platforms on the 14th of February.
“This year I am taking myself out of my comfort zone and exploring different genres and collaborations. Noma is the first in a great line up of talented artistes and producers I intend to work with.
“Thank you very much to my fans for the love and general goodwill you showed on all my social media platforms.”
Prior to the release of Handidi Zvekumitisa, Baba Harare released another single titled Yellow Bone, which has an accompanying video.
He told H-Metro that the singles were part of work he was doing during lockdown.
The City Vibrations Band’s paymaster urged fellow musicians to devise other means of survival during lockdown.
“Music alone is no longer enough for us as we need to devise other means of survival otherwise this Covid-19 thing might be here for a while.
“As we lament over the pandemic, life still goes on and musically we need to keep on doing music for our survival.
“In my case, music is a calling and we need to keep working hard,” he added.