Tocky Vibes upstages Jamaica’s Kalado
By Tendai Kamhungira
HARARE – Jamaican artiste Kalado, who performed at Old Hararians Sports Club on Saturday night, played second fiddle to rising Zimdancehall artiste Tocky Vibes.
Kalado, who jetted into Zimbabwe on Thursday for the one-off Make Me Feel Zimbabwe concert, visibly failed to excite the animated crowd which threw missiles on the stage to register their disappointment.
It was always going to be a tall order for the Jamaican artiste whose reputation in Zimbabwe before the Old Hararians Sports Club concert was largely premised on just one hit, Make Me Feel.
His other tracks like Sad Streets, Pree Money, Pay Dem No Mind, Bad Inna Bed and Take a Ride, which are largely unknown in this country, failed to do the trick.
And neither could his rendition of P-Square’s Personally and Chaka Demus and Pliers’ Murder She Wrote.
The concert featured wiggling women dancers but their erotic and sexually suggestive stage antics failed to enhance the quality of the Jamaican artiste’s stagecraft.
After Kalado’s lewd dances had failed to fire up the crowd, the Jamaican chanter was forced to invite crowd favourite Tocky Vibes for an impromptu duet.
The entrance of the Usakande Mapfumo Pasi singer proved to be the tonic that the restive crowd needed.
Though his stagecraft is still far from perfect, Tocky Vibes was clearly the crowd’s favourite. He churned out hit after hit with the crowd singing along animatedly.
When Tocky’s slot ended the unruly crowd would have none of it. They threw a barrage of beer cans on the stage in a bid to force the Mhai singer to return on stage.
The situation became desperate, forcing organisers to hurriedly bring Soul Jah Love on the stage. His appearance pacified the crowd, but it was short-lived, since he also hurriedly left the stage. Bouncers had to descend on the arena to calm the boisterous crowd.
Despite the lukewarm Kalado performance, several Zimbabwean dancehall artistes used the occasion to show their quality. In keeping with the promise he made to this paper last week, Winky D, who was backed by a live band, proved that he is still a force to reckon with on the Zimbabwean dancehall scene. The Ninja President sent the crowd into a frenzy with several of his yesteryear hits and current songs.
Freeman did not disappoint as well. Backed by a live band, it was not surprising that the Joina City singer’s presentation was one of the stand-out performances on the night. The lanky musician put up a spirited act, full of energy and maturity.
The other impressive performers who took part in the concert organised by Digital One International, included the energetic Guspy Warrior, who also brought a live band, Killer T, Lady Squanda, Shinsoman ,Kinnah and Lipsy. Daily News
