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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Zimbabwe’s top musicians tonight descend on Glamis Stadium for the show dubbed “Zim’s Finest” in what could be the show of the week.
Expectations are high that superstar Oliver Mtukudzi and sungura ace Alick Macheso will deliver their best in song and dance.
The duo has been out of Harare for the past few weeks and collaborated for a memorable show in Masvingo last weekend.
A repeat of that show is likely to be witnessed at “Zim’s Finest”.
The gig also features two prodigies – Suluman Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah.

Organised by River Clear Promotions in conjunction with ZimCafe Restaurant, the show is likely to set the tone for this year’s festive season with all the big names sharing the stage.

Mtukudzi or simply Tuku to his adoring fans, who claims that his first ever song was his birth cry, is an entertainer par excellence.
He was recently inducted into Africa’s Hall of Fame joining a high-powered roaster of the continent’s top musicians like Salif Keita.
The “Totutuma” singer does not limit himself when it comes to collaborations.

His recent “collabos” with Suluman and Jah Prayzah show his other side as a granddad of music.
Both Sulu and Jah Prayzah could be his grandsons but Tuku confesses to have learnt a thing or two from the young prodigies.
Tuku’s songs don’t carry explicit political messages, but he makes it easy to read between the lines.

“Oliver is the most popular artiste in the country . . . He does not want to be a politician. He wants to remain an artiste,” a music critic once said.

“The aim of my music is to try to unite everyone. And whatever decision you make politically, that’s your own baby, but we should do it in harmony, together,” Tuku once told The New York Times.

On the other hand, Sulu is basking in the glory of his newly found fame since the release of “Syllabus” featuring Jah Prayzah on “Sean Timba”.

Musically, Sulu is no longer riding on his late father’s coat tails after becoming his own with the release of his gold selling albums.
“Syllabus” has set Sulu apart from the other dendera musicians with people identifying with the songs.

While Sulu remains a favourite of many, Jah Prayzah is coming up in a big way.
He has taken his brand to another level becoming one for the future.

Jah Prayzah is the sort of musician who does not belong to any particular genre and it is difficult to pigeon hole his music.
However, what is known about him is that he plays good music; music that moves revellers.

His latest “Tsviriyo” DVD album has put him in the spotlight once again as he single- handedly brought all the big names on the same platform.

He brought together Tuku, Pastor Charles Charamba, Sulu, Freddy “Kapfupi” Manjalima, Winky D and Alick Macheso on “Tsviriyo”, a feat which other musicians are still to achieve.

Looking at the line-up it is easy to see why Macheso will be the last act. Often when “Baba Sharo” or simply “Extrabasso” takes to the stage he brings a lot of energy.

And to keep the momentum, Extrabasso is the one you can count on since he has a long list of hit songs from “Charakupa”, “Madhawu”, “Mai Rubi” to “Makandidana” and “Shedia”.

His commentaries in song have captivated Zimbabweans making him one of the most followed artistes in the country.
Besides his fiery bass guitar skills, Extrabasso is always on point and does not get excited when he performs before huge crowds.
In short, he has been there and done it all.

You talk about dance, he knows how to swing and when you talk about lyrical prowess he is all that and more.
One amazing feat about the show is that whenever the four come together it feels a lot like a homecoming show.
Everything appears new.

Promoter Isaac “F&B Guru” Neshamba, was upbeat that the gig would be one of the best so far this year.
“We believe in our own musicians and this is why we are having the VVIPS area as well as the VIP arena. We want those who want to spend big to do so freely without any hassles and those who have a bit of money to feel equally important.

“Come tonight it’s all systems go. The Glamis Stadium is a spacious venue and for that reason there is going to be secure parking, full bar and catering,” Neshamba said.