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TURBULENCE

Entertainment Reporter
Jamaican dancehall star Turbulence, real name Sheldon Ryan Augustus Campbell, has slammed rivalry and violence characterising Zim dancehall at the moment.  Turbulence arrived in the country yesterday for THE “King of Dancehall” contest set for City Sports Centre tomorrow.

In an interview with Herald Entertainment before his departure from Jamaica Turbulence said war in local dancehall was unnecessary.

The artiste, who shares the stage with a plethora of local artistes from rival sound houses and ghettos, has called for an end to the “beef” and unnecessary feuds. “My message to the rival groups in Zimbabwe is that war is never a solution but communication is the key to unite and now is the time to live and let live and have as much as you can,” said Turbulence.

The “Real Warrior” singer said the role of a reggae musician is to be on the righteous path always.

“There is not much we can do physically to stop the violence around the world. But we can sing uplifting music and tell the people that unity is better, much better than hate, segregation and bloodshed.

“Right now in Jamaica, all rival gangs like Gully and Gaza Empire are now united so there is only joy and laughter,” said Turbulence.

The top reggae singer decried the violence saying it gave the “system” an excuse to silence the musicians’ voices.

“I know the system is always out to get the meek and the pure at heart so I am always prepared and looking out for any onslaught. So I say more life to every artiste, keep strong and avoid unnecessary confrontations – let us be on each other’s side and together we are stronger and will conquer,” he said.

On his much awaited delivery, the Jamaican artiste said: “I am Turbulence, so you should expect the unexpected. However, I can only offer the people my best but I promise them that I will leave the fire burning.”

The Jamaican, who will be in the country for 10 days with shows in Kwekwe and Mutare, comes at a time when rivalries at dancehall gigs, especially in the capital, were turning nasty with rival ghetto supporters sometimes denying artistes from other ghettos a chance to perform. Turbulence’s visit comes as a breath of fresh air for reggae music followers who have this year been bombarded with tens of shows by the increasingly popular local dancehall singers, but without any international acts.

This year, Zimbabwe has only hosted one Jamaican artiste, Tony Rebel, who was in the country in September for the Shoko Festival, but his presence went largely unnoticed as the show was poorly advertised.

Guspy Warrior, one of the top local names on the line-up for the King of dancehall – Ghetto vs Ghetto contest – said it was always good to have one or two pacesetters from the home of reggae coming to Zimbabwe.

“Sometimes we may end up lying to ourselves that we are doing the right thing.

It is good to have one of the well-travelled artistes who are at the top of their game visiting. That way we get to measure ourselves,” said Guspy.