Is Zim ‘getting over’ Betty Makaya?
ONE of Zimbabwe’s first-rate female vocalists with a salient voice that shook and dominated the music industry yesteryear, teryear, Betty Makaya, no longer seems to be that “red-hot” d-hot” property in the music industry despite dropping pping a hot video recently.
When Betty’s name is mentioned, one is thrown back down wn memory lane to the 2000s era when Soul and Urban ban Groove music were the hottest genres that made people ple crack the dance floor, just like Zim Dancehall today. ay.
It was that time when galas were the not to be missed music sic shows that featured the likes of X-tra Large, Roki, ki, Mafrik and Makaya who were among people’s favourites ourites as they managed to keep fans on the edge.
Last ast year, she announced her return to the studio after r taking a long break. Well, she recently dropped a hot ot video of the song titled Complicated, available on the most used social media platform, YouTube.
The track is about someone who loves somebody he or she he adores despite the difficulties and complications that t unfold in the relationship as no one is perfect. The video eo features the ever-beautiful Makaya and a man who o plays the role of Betty’s “sweetheart”.
Despite the song being so well organised and Makaya proving ving yet again it will take time to find another songbird gbird like her, the new track hasn’t been given the attention that will be expected of Betty’s songs.
Makaya’s songs attracted all corners of the country for instance her scintillating classic hit Kurwizi featuring aturing the late singer Jamal which hich proved beyond yond doubt oubt remains mains Betty’s standout projects jects that drove fans “wild”.
The “dope” and a flawless track has been deservedly ervedly compared with Celine Dion’s Titanic Movie vie soundtrack, My Heart Will Go On while others ers compared it with Whitney Houston’s Will l Always Love You which are perhaps are one of the greatest love hits to be ever produced by female sensations during their time.
Besides esides Kurwizi, the songbird has many projects jects that hogged limelight when they were dropped pped which include Usipo and Ndakusuwa hits that are still being played by some fans today, ay, and have earned her place in the music hall of fame in Zimbabwe.
Perhaps fans have not given Complicated video eo much attention as they are focused the country’s ntry’s current superstars that includes the likes s of Winky D, Jah Prayzah, Ammara Brown and Souljah Love. For instance, currently the trending nding video in Zimbabwean music is Jah Prayzah’s yzah’s Angelo featuring Jah Cure which has already garnered over 200 000 views in less than two weeks.
It’s as if Makaya, who has that honeyed voice that soothes a broken heart as well as strengthen weak relationships no longer exist. Could it be that Zimbabweans have heard enough of the queen of soul music?
That question cannot be justified since the likes of Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi continue to shine in the country and across Africa despite turning 65 years old last year. People continue to love the Neria hit
Bhekumuzi Ncube
maker and is still booked to perform in various big concerts.
So to think fans are no longer giving Betty the attention because fans are tired of her music will be completely wrong. Maybe her relocation to South Africa is what distanced her from fans who gradually have gotten over the Ndakusuwa hit-maker hit maker or could it be the fact that Zimbabweans are now interested in Dancehall and Hip hop genres, the leading genres in entertainment circles in Zimbabwe currently?