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Winky D

Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
WITH different “clans” such as “Maninja”, “Mabhanditi”, “Masoja”, “HKD” and “The Conquering Family” claiming a stake of supremacy in the Zimdancehall space, it seems only the music giants in this game will survive while the lilliputians keep on being elbowed to the fringes of the sector.

The rise of clans in this genre has given rise to some kind of competition that borders on bitter rivalry, creating a tense atmosphere among the artistes, with the fans inevitably getting sucked into this musical vortex in a style reminiscent to developments only confined to the streets of Harlem in the United States.

Hardly a day passes without a Zimdancehall track or tracks hitting the streets and this will be laden with “thunderbolts” aimed at such-and-such artiste’s rival in the cut-throat, dog-eat-dog music dancehall game whose origins in Zimbabwe are largely attributed to the ghetto suburbs of Mbare, Highfield, Mabvuku, Tafara and Chitungwiza, where the majority of the artistes hail from.

So honed is desire for dominance in this game by the artistes to the extent that they make it a habit to include chants in their songs which are nothing but phrases of self-praise and ego-bloating.

While these big “elephants” in the Zimdancehall scene are busy tussling for the available turf, which they can share in peace had it not been for their big-headedness and self-centrism, there are, however, some talented artistes who are not concerned with stepping on other players’ feet but are only concerned with delivering good and clean music to their legion of followers. These are known for their ability to shun controversy and their lyrics are devoid of “dissing” language, which makes it seem as if Zimdancehall is one battlefield where the artistes are waging an internecine war against one another.

One of such talented youthful artistes is none other Crystal, the name and face behind the hugely popular hit songs like “Ndakarohwa (Nyaya Yekuchiva Vakadzi Vevanhu”, “Zavakapera Kare” and “Rasta Man” among others.

The Glen Norah-based and Bindura-bred chanter (23), has started his own clan called “Gaza Clan”, which he says was formed not out of the need to further fuel any hostility but to promote new artistes and the spirit of oneness.

“I have worked and learnt a lot from fellow singer Freeman of Dangerzone. He is someone who is always ready to offer advice and guidance to others. I felt that I should also do the same to other upcoming but talented artistes hence the decision to start the Gaza Clan.

“We will be helping each other with ideas on how best to push our projects on the market as well as on the airwaves. Our motto is ‘Zero Tolerance to dissing’ in the industry,” he said.

Crystal also paid tribute to music producers Cure Massive of Zengeza-based Cure Massive Studios and DJ Kujay of Sepp Records who are currently working on his new album due for release anytime soon.

“These are the guys who are giving us a lot of support in the game and we hope the album will make it big once it comes out and with the support of our South Africa-based manager, Silent Killer, things will take a positive trajectory,” he said.

Crystal was born Calvin Malunga on June 26, 1992 in Bindura and started singing at a tender age before proceeding with his talent to Marian Primary Catholic Mission School and Chipadze High in Bindura.

“At first, my parents didn’t approve of me doing music, saying it was something for the good-for-nothings. But when I made my first song ‘Rasta Man’ in 2011, they started realising the potential that was in me. In 2013, I also released my first album ‘Hard Times’, and I have never looked back since then,” he shared.