Winky D, Chill Spot Records at loggerheads

By Peter Tinashe Kavhiya

Dancehall sensation Winky D has come under fire for allegedly acting in breach of contract with a local recording company.

The Kambuzuma bred artiste is alleged to have signed a contract with Chill Spot Records, which obliged him to perform at the launch of the Mad Levels riddim at the Mbare Netball Complex this Saturday.

In a dramatic U-Turn, Winky D distanced himself from the show.

’It is with regret that l wish to advise all loyal and loving dancehall fans that contrary to what is being advertised by way of posters and within other media sources; Winky D is not booked to perform at Mbare Netball complex on Saturday September 20  2014. Management does not know about this arrangement and will, accordingly engage the people behind it and any other authorities, if need be.

“We stand guided by the brutal truth that fans are what make dancehall music what it is and as such, deserve the utmost respect. As such advertising an artiste who would not have been engaged to be part of the billing, is not only unwarranted disregard of the artiste but unworthy disrespect of the owners of the music, who are the fans,’’  read a statement issued by Winky D’s management.

Chill Spot Records, however, maintained that Winky D signed a contract with them.

“It is unfortunate that Winky D (Wallace Chirumiko) is now distancing himself from the Mad Level Riddim launch despite inking a deal with Chill Spot and Legendary Music prior to the recording of the track. The agreement states that an artiste either pays to be on the riddim or performs at the riddim launch as payment for using the beat.

“Part of the agreement reads: On the launch of the Mad level riddim on a date to be advised, with prior notice, we require….. (artiste), as a condition to appear on this riddim to come and perform for a period of not more than 40 minutes, free of charge, as a way of uplifting and supporting the producers,” revealed Chill Spot management.

Chillspot Records also announced that the launch will go ahead according to plans and that Winky D’s withdrawal will not affect the script.

The Mad Level Riddim was produced by youthful Mbare based producers Levels and Fantan of Chill Spot records, in collaboration with Jeepers of Legendary Sounds.

Several artistes ‘rode’ on the riddim and the likes of on-fire Tocky Vybez, Seh Calaz, Freeman, Killah T and Keenah recorded songs on this riddim.

Meanwhile, sources close to the goings on revealed that Winky D is scared to perform in Mbare where he has lost following.

He alienated himself from the Mbare crowd after he fired a salvo, accusing them of abusing drugs and alcohol. The Zimbabwe Mail