WHAT A HUGE NIGHT
. . . This was as good as it gets
NOW, we know why the world calls him The Boss.
He needed just about an hour, 50 minutes to be precise, to woo us into his magical world.
Rick Ross, yes brother, you are The Boss.
Many Zimbabweans had seen him on television/online and watching him live on stage at HICC last Friday was simply magical.
Fans couldn’t ask for more and what an early Christmas present Zimbabwean fun-loving people.
Being the headlining act, he made sure fans got real value for their money.
His energy-sapping performance was a reminder to local artists to up the game.
The rapper’s body language, stage command and interaction with fans was first class.
He easily won the hearts of many in the packed auditorium.
To a stranger, it was as if he was a regular performer on the local turf.
Everything about his performance was just phenomenal.
Rick Ross, like most of his counterparts in the US, respects the stage a lot.
Winky D says the stage resembles the CEO’s office.
And, this was evident with Rick Ross who meant real business when he took to the podium.
He made his life easier as he played singalong tracks like Hustlin’, Blowing Money Fast, You the Boss, God Did plus a tribute to 2 Pac.
Fellow artists in attendance could not resist his act as they followed proceedings.
And, those who are willing to learn from the best, last Friday was the day.
Despite delays and change of the running order by the organisers, The Boss reminded locals to be time conscious.
Local promoters and artists have over the years been taking fans for a ride but this was not the case last Friday
Rick Ross taught local music promoters and events organisers that time is money.
He simply stuck to his contract.
COMMITMENT PROFESSIONALISM
The iconic rapper appeared to be the opening act but he was simply fulfilling his contract.
He proved a strong point to local artists that being an opening act is not a sign of inferiority.
On home soil, the late music icon and national hero, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi was a no nonsense artist when it comes to time keeping.
He would rather play first and let the likes of Jah Prayzah or Suluman Chimbetu close the show.
This is the kind of culture lacking in Zimbabwe, which needs to be embraced, for the growth of the showbiz sector.
This is what we learnt from The Boss.
The Friday gig was more than a musical gathering.
In fact, it was a night when Zimbabwe was given a thumbs up by a top international celebrity as a safe tourist destination.
BRAND ZIMBABWE
Rick Ross could not hide his admiration of the
country and of course our warm hospitality.
Prior to the show, he was charmed by Mufakose dance troupe, Hwamanda, who welcomed him at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
He gave the group some money during an exclusive dinner held at Meikles Hotel later in the evening.
At HICC, the rapper gladly accepted President Mnangagwa’s trademark scarf.
The Boss showed Zimbabwe his genuine love and vowed to return.
Top celebrities embraced the gig.
Aston Villa football star, Marvelous Nakamba, in town for the wedding of his Warriors teammate, Nyasha Munetsi, was among top celebrities at the show.
As humble as ever, the highest paid footballer in Southern Africa was calm and collected during the show. Inside the auditorium, the crowd response was awesome.
For the first time in years, we didn’t have boo boys and girls.
It was just a memorable night, which deserves to be cherished for years.
However, thugs nearly spoiled the party outside the venue as ugly scenes of violence were recorded.
Some thugs destroyed the barricades to gain free entry.
The cancer of bouncers, who try to con the promoters by letting in people through unorthodox means, needs to be dealt with.
LESSONS
Like any other event, lessons were learnt last Friday.
We can’t afford to take paying fans for granted by late kick-off when we have had months to prepare for such events.
There is no justification whatsoever to have such hiccups when the big day comes after weeks of preparations.