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Hope Masike

Own Correspondent
Songstress Hope Masike says she is delighted to share the stage with Malian superstar Salif Keita.

“I am excited to be performing alongside Keita who is a revered musician. This is such an honour and I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to a great show,” she said.

The delectable singer also urged fans to attend the show in their numbers.

The mbira player who has had successful tours in Europe is billed to join Keita for a special appearance at a gig scheduled for the ZOL Main Stage on May 3.

The show is one of the must attend at HIFA 2015 running under the theme “Articulate”.

Hope has two albums up her sleeves – “Hope” and her sophomore album titled “Mbira, Love Chocolate”.

Added to this will be the powerful and “golden voice of Africa” in Keita who makes a welcome return at HIFA 2015.

Keita has been at the forefront of Malian music for many years, and this concert sees his return to Harare to close the 2015 ZOL Main Stage programme of the festival.

Keita has extended musical frontiers and carved out a distinctive musical voice, in which rock, funk and jazz combine with the deepest West African griot traditions.

Describing his music Keita said: “My approach to rock, jazz or soul was a necessity. For someone self-taught like me, playing with Carlos Santana or Joe Zawinul meant rapid progress. Today, that’s what allows me to play music of my country with more control, mire assurance and depth.”

Meanwhile South Africa-based dancehall act Buffalo Souljah has earned a well deserved slot at the Harare International Festival of the Arts on Golden Pilsener Day, Friday April 30.

The “Staera Inonyengesa” singer is billed to perform on ZOL Main Stage starting at 10pm.

Buff, as he is affectionately known in music circles, is expected to be joined on stage by the likes of Kaakie from Ghana, a multi award winning female chanter as well Zimdancehall’s finest Guspy Warrior.

“It’s going to be a party and a half,” Buff said.

Buff is a Channel O and Nigerian Soundcity Award winner who needs little introduction to lovers of dancehall in Zimbabwe.

He has won numerous accolades as a producer and an artist, and for the first time, he will be sharing the stage at HIFA in a unique collaboration.

Kaakie has the distinction of being a major reggae/dancehall award winner.

She has shared the stage with the likes of Keri Hilson, Bow Wow, Busy Signal, Demarco, Mavado, Kiprich and Tiwaa.

Also not to be outdone is Guspy Warrior of the famed Mafia 19 clique. Guspy Warrior, aka The Preacher’s Son, won the hearts of Zimdancehall lovers since he burst on the music scene with a duet “Bus Di Shot” featuring Winky D, another top act in the genre.

He also weaved his way up the ladder with the release of the chart topper “Seunononga” that became an anthem in clubs and pubs throughout the capital Harare.

Guspy Warrior was inspired by Jamaican musicians in the likes of Sizzla Kalonji, Gentleman and Turbulence who once toured Zimbabwe.

Guspy recorded his first album simply titled “Born Blessed” in 2008. Since then he has performed in the UK and shared the stage with Sizzla Kalonji as well as dancehall greats who include Elephant Man, Red Rat, Mavado and Popcaan.

Dubbed “Dancehall Alliance” make a date with the three-acts when they hit the stage for an unforgettable experience.