Diana Samkange and Progress Chipfumo off to the UK

HARARE – Afro-fusion star Progress Chipfumo and songbird Diana Samkange will lead a group of upcoming local artistes set to tour the United Kingdom next weekend.

The tour, being organised by Afrodayz Productionz in conjunction with Bimmaseve and Tafara Care Services, will include Zimdancehall artistes Ras Caleb, Don Gaga, Ninja Lipsy and Drum Dada as well as Zim-hip hop musician Hollipah D.

Dubbed “One Nation One People,” the tour will see the artistes performing at Eiger Music Studios in Leeds on December 4.

Paradzai Makosa, a spokesperson for the promoters told the Daily News that the tour was meant to give exposure to mostly upcoming artistes.

“The tour is basically to promote young and upcoming artistes, especially those that have never been in the UK. Of course, there will be other bigger and known artistes including Diana, better known as Mangwenya and Chipfumo.

“Chipfumo and Diana will get to perform in front of a multi-national crowd. But right now what is selling in Zimbabwe is what is selling in the UK; they love Zimdancehall as much as it is loved in Zimbabwe. Zimdancehall will be well represented. DJ Feel Dee will also be there, supported by UK-Zim-based artistes and DJs,” he said.

Makosa added that little-known artistes were generally being side-lined by foreign-based music promoters.

“The main aim is to promote Zimbabwean artistes that are being ignored by most promoters abroad, as many normally go for big artistes that bring quick returns. But in this case it is not about any quick returns, it is all about the passion,” he said.

The forthcoming “One Nation One People Tour” is part of an increasing number of concerts being held by mostly Zimdancehall artistes in the United Kingdom for Zimbabwean nationals based in that country. Daily News