By Problem Masau
If there is anyone who has had a turbulent year then it must be rapper Stunner. Apart from being dumped on television by his long-time girlfriend Pokello Nare with viewers across Africa watching, Stunner failed to produce a hit this year.
For a man who produced songs such as “Dhafu Korera”, “Team Hombe”, “Rudo RweMari” and “Godo”, failing to produce a hit in a calender year must be a wake-up call for him.
It must have been difficult for Stunner to watch a woman he once loved fall into the arms of another man and showing signs of happiness. His once-loved beauty Pokello, with whom he shot the infamous sex tape, is not only making waves in Zimbabwe but across Africa.
Pokello recently launched her own clothing line in Ghana. She was also spotted partying in Zambia. Together with her former Big Brother Africa housemate-cum-lover Elikem, she seems to have the world under her feet.
While Pokello is riding on the crest of a wave, Stunner has picked up the pieces and is busy trying to put together his life. In a wide-ranging interview with Saturday Lifestyle this week, Stunner says he has discovered that life is like riding a bicycle and one has to keep moving to maintain balance.
He opened up about his life, love and career. He benefited from the Government’s 75 percent local content policy on radio, but Stunner’s career has been full of controversy. During his formative years, he survived on dissing his colleagues. His beef with fellow rapper Maskiri is well documented.
The shooting of the bedroom tape that catapulted Pokello to prominence is probably the epitome of his mischief. The tape had its own consequences as he lost out on some commercial endorsements.
It is, however, his dumping on Big Brother Africa by his “porn mate”, that many people thought was the final nail in his coffin following a decade plus drama-filled career. However, for Stunner it was the writing on the wall that he should concentrate more on his first love: music.
“Currently Stunner is off the market. I am in love with someone else and maybe I am ready to settle down,” he said with a chuckle. He would not, however divulge the name of his love but rumour has it that he is dating a model.
We asked about Melissa Moyo, the reigning Miss Gweru and Miss Universities finalist, Stunner dismissed the rumour.
“Melissa is not my girlfriend, she is now our first female artiste at Tazoita Cash records and we have songs that she did which were produced by Mac Dee and others by Dr Clarence. The relationship I have with her is strictly business,” he claimed.
“Music defines me, that is who I am, I shall continue to sing.”
The Glen Norah-born artiste said he did not produce many songs this year because he wanted other musicians from his stable to flourish.
“I am the executive producer of Tazoita Cash Records and I have other artistes signed to the stable. I do not want people to think that I am the only artiste at the stable. I also give them time to flourish, that is why I was not recording,” he said.
The musician recently dropped a single “Fresh Chimoko” in which he claims that he wants a new girlfriend because he now has money. It seems as if the musician seems to be using his talent as therapy. He has been touring the country staging shows.
At a show in Mutare, Stunner revealed why he was dumped by Pokello.
“Ini Stunner ndini one rapper ane staira anorambwa paTV but people do not know why I was dumped. I was dumped because of the way I treated her. Zvinorwadza sei kutsvoda pari kutsvodwa nemumwe munhu, kuitwa painkiller kupedza musoro watenderwedza nemumwe munhu. That’s why I was dumped,” said Stunner.
The rapper then performed the song “Bye Bye” which many of his fans believe was penned for Pokello.
