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Probeatz (second from left) is the 2015 DreamStar champion

Sophia Chese Arts Correspondent
Unheralded beat boxer Takudzwa Denzel Mahonganyika aka Probeatz, who emerged the ultimate winner of this year’s edition of the DreamStar Zimbabwe over the weekend, has hailed the talent search show for recognising beat boxing as a competitive form of art.

The 20-year-old Mufakose-bred artiste bagged the big prize of $5 000 after stiff competition in the contest comprising 16 groups of musicians and dancers.

In an interview, the beat boxer who has performed in Asia, Europe and also big festivals like Shoko and Hifa said DreamStar has been his biggest breakthrough.

“I have travelled a lot. I have been to Asia, Europe and have performed at big festivals like Shoko but after all these international tours and appearances on big stages I did not have much to show.

“For instance, I want to pursue my education and do sound engineering but I have been failing due to lack of funds. I feel that beat boxing is not well recognised as compared to music and dance, but I am overwhelmed with the recognition that DreamStar has given me,” he said.

He highlighted that he started beat boxing at the age of 15 and since then he has been hoping that he will leave a mark with beat boxing.

“I have been a dreamer since the age of 15 and now my dream has come true.

“Negative energy from other people became my inspiration after they told me ‘as good as you are you can never be the actual winner because you are a beat boxer and you have to fight for second place or third’, but I made a point that beat boxing is no joke but a serious form of art,” he said.

He said his love for music inspired him to do beat boxing.

“I have passion for music so the shortage of electricity pushed me to start beat boxing, I started imitating music through beat boxing and as a young ghetto boy this took me off the streets to spend most of my time mastering the sounds.”

He also highlighted that his victory in the DreamStar Zimbawe will go a long way in inspiring other beat boxers in the country. “This is a new beginning not only for me but for all Zimbabwe beat boxers and we are not stopping here”, he said.

Meanwhile, Soul Finders, an eight-member dance group from Mabvuku-Tafara, emerged second and danced away $3 000 richer while an Information Science and Technology student from Gweru Polytechnic, Nyasha Dengwani, got $1 000 for coming third on the talent search show.

Other top 10 finalists received $500 each. Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Huang Ping who was the guest of honour applauded the talent showcased at the concert.

I was thrilled by the wonderful performances. All the contestants presented on the stage are talented. They were amazing to watch,” he said.

DreamStar Zimbabwe spokesperson Rumbidzai Matinanga said they were not going back on the talent search show which was launched last year as Zim Got Talent only to change name after Kenako Media claimed the legitimate owners of the name .

“As the organisers of DreamStar Zimbabwe Talent Show our aim is to support talent, we want to bring a new dimension to emerging artistes by providing them with a platform to showcase their artistic talent and probably make a living through it without being exploited,” Matinanga said. She said plans were in the pipeline to take the programme to the rural areas next year.