Struggle of Ndebele Zim Dancehall chanters
NO Doubt Zim Dancehall throughout the country is the music of choice for youths with appetite for new music that pays attention to new wild partying sprees.
Despite Zim Dancehall being played almost in every nightclub and commuter buses it remains catchy and vibrant in shona because of the language’s flexibility.
Since the inception of Zim Dancehall, few artistes have managed to package the genre in any language other than Shona.
Such is the story of Ndebele language Zim Dancehall chanters, restrategising, collaborations and going back to the studio drawing board has failed to yield any results or resounding tracks.
In a race to catch the Zim Dancehall gravy train several artistes from Bulawayo have recorded one or two tracks in Ndebele, only to varnish from the genre.
Such is the case of former Amakhosi Dreams to Fame winner Senko, who raised hopes of Bulawayo Zim Dancehall fanatics only to vanish from the scene.
Nevertheless they are still few Bulawayo Zim Dancehall hopefuls who are peddling the boat of the genre into the depth of the industry as they try to establish their names in the ever radical Zim Dancehall hall of fame with their Ndebele lyrics.
Donias “King Black” Bhebhe despite sharing the stage with Zim Dancehall icon Killer T, he is conscious that Zim Dancehall is a tough terrain which requires more than talent to push it in Ndebele.
“The idea initial was to target local audience by giving them ZimDancehall in Ndebele. To be honest the journey has been challenging. I have even tried performing along Killer T but we are still far from achieving or reaching where Zim Dancehall is,” said King Black.
Where the likes of self-made Zim Dancehall King Winky D, are known for shaming international acts, Zim Dancehall remains a territory for no fly-by-nights.
King Black however, believes that the solution to overcome struggles of Ndebele Zim Dance hall chanters is to forge collaborations with established artiste.
“As a Ndebele Zim Dancehall chanter I have realised that am not getting any mileage. But am convinced that my music is good, though I am not getting any support. As a result I am now trying to work on collaborations with Windi president to gain mileage,” he said.
Though, King Black and his sidekick Isaac “Zekalo” Bvindi have tried taking Ndebele Zim Dancehall to its grassroots, they believe like most Bulawayo musician that local fans are letting them down.
“If you have observed it’s not only Ndebele Zim Dancehall, but most musicians are complaining that they are not getting support from local fans.
“Therefore I believe that if fans in Bulawayo rally behind us we might as well get the support and encouragement we need,” he said.