Dancehall riddim for Tongai Moyo

By Vasco Chaya

Dancehall music stars will honour the late sungura star Tongai Moyo by riding on a riddim set to rock Dewa’s Harare Gardens commemoration bash next week.

With rising stars Tocky Vybz and Killer T leading the contingent of dancehall stars performing during the commemoration set for Sunday, October 5, the “Tongai Moyo riddim” will be one of the showcase’s main highlight.

A spokesperson for the Harare Gardens concert said dancehall music producers have already crafted and produced the riddim on which all dancehall musicians performing on this day would ride on.

“The riddim is dancehall and musicians singing that genre will bring their own lyrics while being aided by the new production.

“Dancehall musicians are masters when it comes to crafting lyrics that capture the mood of the event and as for this one, they will all be dedicating their lyrics to the late Tongai Moyo.

“It will be something else and out of this world for dancehall singers.”

Dancehall music is the in-sound and the most popular genre across all radio and television stations.

Its dominance of the market has seen a new trend in which dancehall music producers partner the singers by providing them with a high energy sound riddim.

Tongai’s son, Peter will be releasing his debut DVD music album on the same day for Harare Gardens the commemorations.

“Yes, we have finished working on a five song DVD album for our debut album Mushonga Mukuru.

“We also included the song Toita Basa. We will launch it during the commemorations.”

Apart from the dancehall riddim dedicated to the late Tongai, his sungura counterparts Alick Macheso, Somandla Ndebele and First Farai will also take turns to entertain the audience.

Others expected to perform during the annual family concert include Peter Moyo, the son the late Tongai who will lead other bashes in his home town of Kwekwe and in Kadoma.

Popular pole dancers; Bev and Zoey who have both released debut albums will sure be a hit on the day as they are best known for their dancing prowess.

“We have Bev and Zoey for the bash and as you know these talented girls apart from pole dancing they are also recorded musicians.

“Bev was a big draw card the last time she performed live at the same event meant to commemorate Tongai where she out staged Botswana diva Slizer.”

Peter’s manager Sukol Dube told the Daily News that he concerts would be held in Kwekwe, Kadoma and Harare on October 3, 4 and 5 respectively.

Dube said the Kwekwe and Kadoma concerts are being promoted by the band while the Harare one is promoted by 2014 Nama Arts promoter of the Year, Biggie Chinoperekwei.

“The commemoration concerts will be a platform for local artistes such as Ronnie Mudindo, Extra Kwazvose and Shinsoman among others to interact and share the stage.

“We are also going to perform alongside Slizer from Botswana,” he said.

Dube said Tongai’s mother (93) popularly known as Gogo Chihera will attend the Kwekwe concert.

“We are happy that gogo Chihera will be among the VVIPs at Mbizo Stadium in Kwekwe,” he said.

Moyo died in 2011 and it has been three years since the passing on of sungura super star and leader of Utakataka Express, who succumbed to Non Hodgkin Lymphoma cancer.

Last year’s showcase saw top musicians including South Africa’s Freddy Gwala and Botswana diva Slizer, Suluman Chimbetu and Alick Macheso perform in remembrance of the sungura star.

This year’s mega event will take place at Harare’s Harare Gardens on Sunday and this is meant for wholesome families as it begins in the afternoon.

And there is every reason to celebrate the sungura star’s achievements.

Dhewa as he was affectionately known by his legion of fans left behind a music legacy which will probably go on for generations to come considering how well he had groomed his son Peter who immediately took over the reins of Utakataka Express after his death.

Peter said while fans expect much from him musically, he was not his father and needed enough space to blossom alone.

“I know a lot of people try to compare me with my late father but if the truth be told, I am not him and I have to live my own life. He had a special musical talent that is far way ahead of me in terms of experience and prowess.”

Peter says three years after his father passed on he is far from achieving a superstar status.

“I have to thank the music promoters who embraced me when I started because without their faith I could not have gone anywhere. They gave me advice and tips on how to succeed in the local music industry.

“I am still learning and I am lucky because I have people around me who are always guiding me.” Daily News