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Ammara Brown

Arts Correspondent
Several musical groups from the country’s 10 provinces battle for the Chibuku Road to Fame crown at Glamis Stadium tomorrow. Afro jazz has dominated the competition this year.

Groups battling for the top honours are African Tibe, Olama Hearts, Tunes of Harmony, Uzumba Express, Kweseka, The Traveler, Knight Sounds, Black Omolo, Grade 2 D and Tshitshi Super Sounds. This year’s winner will pocket $7 000, first runner-up gets $5 000 while second runner-up will have $3 000.

The winner will also get a recording contract. The competition is a result of partnership between Delta Beverages and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe. It was launched on October 27, 2001 by Delta Beverages as a musical showcase to identify talent.

“The main objective behind the talent identification competition is to afford aspiring musicians an opportunity to interact with established musicians as well as assist them to record their work, thus contributing to the development of the music industry in the country whilst they entertain the Chibuku consumers. The showcase aims to promote the development of music through the identification of groups with potential to produce recordable material and assist the winning groups in documenting their work through an album,” note the organisers in a statement

Leonard Zhakata

After the competition Leonard Zhakata, Peter Moyo, Ammara Brown, Soul Jah Love and Boom Berto are set to perform at the event. Moyo as young Igwe is fondly known said he has been waiting for the day.

“The event has for years attracted thousands of music lovers and it is a golden opportunity for musicians to unite with their fans. We are ready to roll,” he said.

Moyo recently released an album “Mopao Mokonzi” that is considered as one of the best sungura projects this year.

It has songs including “Musara Pavana” and “Kurera Haisi Nyore” that have become hits.