2023 SHOWBIZ WINNERS, LOSERS, SURPRISES
THE 2023 music season has come and gone.
All eyes are now on 2024 where a lot is expected from our stars. In retrospect, 2023 felt like one of the most unpredictable years for music fanatics in recent memory.
Sure, there were some obvious bets: Saintfloew would dominate the charts, and Holy Ten would own the attention of many people.
But outside of the elite class of superstars, everything is up in the air.
Who would have thought that Tindo Ngwazi would land the No. 1 spot on the Radio Zimbabwe Top 50 or that Julian King would end up with the most popular song on social media?
And then on the ground level of emerging artists and aspiring at-home musicians, it’s an absolute free-for-all. Last year, we saw particularly notable increases in interest in street artists like Michael Magz.
He rose to fame when he collaborated with Holy Ten on the album The New Bhundu Boyz.
The project resulted in hit songs such as Ucharamba Uchipisa and Mai Ju.
He released a new song titled Hondo Mupfungwa. Zim dancehall star Killer T proved to be the most touring artist last year.
He performed in Canada for the first time in January last year, courtesy of Biggz Entertainment.
Tocky Vibes proved his consistency in the game while Master H is the one to look out for this year.
Guspy Warrior appears to have lost the mojo as he blows hot and cold.
In gospel circles, Janet Manyowa has nothing to prove. She has been doing well and her professionalism and talent are paying off.
Mutare-based Pastor Blessing Shumba had a quiet season by his standards.
He only seemed to rekindle his love with fans at State events. Fungisai Zvakavapano has been trying her best to stay in the limelight by collaborating with artists in other genres like Zim dancehall.
Whether it was a sign of showcasing her versatility or not, some feel she now appears confused.
Quoting music critic Mono Mukundu in his usual posts, “There is no king of everything and no queen of everything.”
His advice is that artists should simply learn to stick to one genre. In jazz, there is still a raging debate on whether it is on its deathbed or not.
Jeys Marabini, Victor Kunonga, saxophonist Phillip Svosve and his Jabavu Drive seem to be the only active acts in this genre.