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Shinsoman

Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
Dancehall music is currently enjoying a purple patch, thanks partly to Zimbabwe’s first commercial radio station Star FM, which unearthed some of the dancehall artistes through the radio’s popular slot Dancehall Overdrive.
Some of the artistes that have become household names in the dancehall scene are Killah T, Seh Calaz, Shinsoman, General Waspy and Jay C among others.

It is with this background that more than 50 artistes are billed to perform at the inaugural Dancehall Overdrive anniversary at Harare Gardens this Saturday.

Some of the established artistes who are billed to perform on the day include Freeman, King Shady, Guspy Warrior, Shinsoman, Sniper Storm, Dadza D, Final Warning, Lady Squanda and Lady Bee.
Freeman knows that it will not be a stroll in the park for him.

“I will give it all my best; the incident at Gwanzura Stadium where I was booed was a wake-up call for me,” he said.
Missiles were thrown at Freeman while he was on stage as fans denounced him as a Dzivaresekwa-based artiste when the show was for Highfield.

The “Joina City” singer could not continue even though he had come prepared for the show.
Harare Gardens is a neutral venue and Freeman said he is not expecting such treatment again.

“It was just a bad day in office; I strongly think that there were other artistes who were behind the skirmish,” he said.
Judging from the line-up, the real contest will be between Freeman, Sniper Storm, Shinsoman, Guspy Warrior and Lady Squanda.
Sniper Storm is also a heavyweight in his own right as he is on top of his game.

The Nama-award winning artiste is not new to these clashes as he has triumphed in many dancehall clashes since 2000.
In a career that spans more than a decade now, the veteran chanter is enjoying a purple patch after churning hits such as “Love YeMusoja” and “Bhinya” among others. It is his fiery stage presence that is capable of knocking other dancehall artistes off their perch.

Shinsoman has been a revelation this year and now commands a huge following among dancehall lovers in the country. The Highfield-based chanter’s husky voice has endeared him to many fans.

Guspy Warrior is also a dark horse who is capable of an upset and can easily run away with the crown.
His party anthem “Seunononga” is arguably the song of the moment.

Singer Lady Squanda is one female to watch out for as she has on many occasions outclassed male artistes.
Though she has dipped in form, the female chanter is capable of pulling off a surprise.
She, however, needs to work on her grooming and stage presentation.