Sniper & Winky Dee steal Zimfest limelight

By Esther Gomo

Dance-hall ragga artists Sniper Storm and Winky Dee were the surprise performers at this years Zimfest show at the Raynes Park in London and they blew the crowd away.

International superstar Rozalla had been billed as the headline act and gave a good performance of her ‘Everybody’s Free’ and ‘Losing My Religion’ hits but Sniper and Winky Dee came from nowhere to steal the thunder.

The duo were in the United Kingdom for a separate series of shows and visited the Zimfest  festival as invited guests. A last minute decision was made for them to give a teaser of their songs and it turned out to be a good one.

Winky Dee belted out his ‘Roketion’ smash hit while Sniper did his ‘Hubhinya’ song. DJ Lady Gee 2 playing for the two also shone with masterful mixing and scatching.

With Sniper controversy was never going to be far off. There were suggestions that his song about not speaking English because he was not English was racially offensive. His fans dismissed it as an over-reaction saying the same song goes on to say he does not hate white people.

The festival was also treated to an energetic performance from DKR duo Kudakwashe Musasiwa and Rassie AI. ‘Shumba Musango’ and ‘Smiles and Cries’ got the crowd singing along.

Former Bhundu Boys member Rise Kagona now with the band Harare also belted some old time hits ‘Handei Kwekwe’ and others.