Zimpapers Logo

Tocky Vibes

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Zim dancehall act Tocky Vibes left some of his fans agape when he showed up at Old Hararians Sports Club over the weekend dressed like a butler.The” Ah hi hi hi” singer left the crowd clamouring for more and stole the show from the Jamaican artiste Kalado.

However, besides his standout performance, there were mixed feelings over his weird outfit – a bright coloured long garb with a green scalp hat.

“That is what art is all about. I did not want to look artificial. The outfit resembles servants who work in palaces and in that case the fans were the kings and I was their servant. The stage is the palace so to speak,” Tocky said.

Asked what inspired such type of dress, the 20-year-old chanter could not comment saying people will appreciate his style with time.

“It is not easy to introduce something new but I believe in the fullness of time people are going to appreciate my attire and the inspiration behind it,” he said.

A good number of his fans took to Facebook to denounce his attire saying it left a lot to be desired while others said he was being creative.

“Look who dresses like that. He is looking scruffy and all. He needs grooming,” Fungisai Machokoto posted. He should not have used the material which is suitable for curtains,” Jairos wrote.

“Ndashaya mashoko . . . Tocky Vibes (I’m speechless),” Shadreck Shastro Muyai posted.

Jacob Lesley Esau wrote: “Kuita kunge shave kudaro Zim dancehall yacho mmmm ana Major E vakarova Zim dancehall but vaipfeka wani. Zvino mivharadhongi yemutowenyemba yapfekwa iyi hameno kwakupererwa vachinyepera creativity kkkk mashave chete aya. (he appears like a reincarnation of a spirit medium. The likes of Major E used to do great dancehall productions and dressed well. These rags are a sign of a dead-end artistically while people try to pass it as creativity).”

“I think it all depends on style. It is either it is a hit or a miss of which Tocky’s outfit was a miss,” Tendai said.

Blessed Bee Nyameba said: “kikiki Tocky uye aenda nenyika (He has taken the world by storm).”

Brighton Matava defended Tocky’s attire saying people should not worry about what he wears but his music.

“Siyanai naTocky imi. Isu tomuda akadaro . . . Imi chamakazobura wo as artistes chii ??? Ko iko kuda kudzikisirana as maartist ndokuitaseyi?”

The issue of attire varies from one artiste to the other but while some popular names like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and Prince go for the bizarre outfits, others for instance, P Diddy, Usher, Beyonce, JLO usually look expensive and smoking hot on stage.

There are also those who like to dress in outfits that leave nothing to the imagination while in dancehall King Shango and Major Lazer dress in weird tailor made outfits which look good on them.

It is a question of style and identity and Tocky wants to be identified by his trademark as a domestic worker or servant.

This gels with his humility which together with his inspired lyrics whose deeper meaning has found resonance with many music lovers should take the young man far.