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Fred Zindi Music
He started off as Dancehall’s ‘bad buoy’ with ‘rude buoy’ songs such as: “War”, “Babylon”, “Bongozozo”, “Thiefing Pastor’” “No Life In Bed”, “Ghetto Sufferation” and “Mubobobo”. He was quick to realise that something must be done about Dancehall lyrics and the negative image this genre gets. It is often associated with misogyny, drugs, sexual abuse and violence by the public at large. He soon changed and brought about a cleaner image of discipline, positive lyrics and as evidenced by the songs: “MafiraKureva”, “Taitirana” and “Paita Party”. As a result he got several endorsements from corporate institutions.

Winky D, a.k.a. Wallace Chirumiko is one artiste who has been blessed with good song writing skills and sober habits. He is a talented chanter and a charismatic entertainer of high calibre. He has proved his mettle among all the newcomers and remains the ‘Big man’.

Winky D was among the artistes who were featured in the Southern Africa Music Airwaves (SAMA) Festival in 2009. He also won an award as the best dressed Zimdancehall artiste in 2014. He also came up tops at the second edition of Zimdancehall Awards held in March 2015.

Over the years, several Zim dancehall artistes have made attempts to outdo Winky D and steal the title from him but all in vain.

Some artistes such as SehCalaz have had a go at trying to get popularity off him by dissing him in their songs but this has also failed. Ninja president,Winky D, being mature enough decided not to reply to these attacks but instead called for peace among the Zimdancehall artistes through his songs such as “Mafeelings”, “TikiTaka”, “Sungura-Like” and “PaGhetto”.

Then came ‘The General’, Sniper Storm, who together with Winky D, were scheduled to perform as opening acts for Jamaican Dancehall artiste, Mavado some two years ago. Winky D performed first and kept Mavado and Sniper Storm waiting backstage. Efforts were made by the organising people of the show to get the ‘Bigman’ off stage and make way for Sniper Storm’s performance but to no avail. Sniper Storm then took matters into his own hands and snatched the microphone off Winky D Sniper’s actions did not go down well with the audience. They caused a rage as the crowd threw all missiles on the stage when he tried to perform. Winky D emerged as the victor in this feud as music fans applauded him for keeping his cool after this incident.

Last year we all thought that his trophy was about to be stolen by a lanky young newcomer in the name of Tocky Vybes who was highly rated among the ghetto youths.

So much had been said about the negative side of Zimdancehall until this young man came out with the hit song, “Amai” which was liked by many for its unique lyrical content. With this hit song, he seemed to be winning hearts of Zimbabweans and also because of his life story.

Rising from humble beginnings, growing up between Harare ghettos and his rural area of Chivi, Masvingo to reach urban music’s dizzy heights, Tocky’s story is typical of that young man one would love to be associated with as many would sympathise with his plight and identify with his circumstances. However, Tocky failed to rise above “Amai” and failed to dethrone Winky D.

This year, another young man called Killer T, born Kelvin Kusikwenyu, who has come out tops with his “Ngoma Ndaimba” album with the favourite track, “Taakumbofarawo Kani” which had become the darling of many music lovers, who consider him to be the man of the moment in Zimdancehall circles, might see his popularity wane fast as he is currently stalked by controversy after the death of his alleged socialite under-age girlfriend, Mitchell “Mimi” Kambanga.

In terms of music lyrical content and authenticity both Tocky Vybes and Killer T are probably the best lyricists in the Zimdancehall genre.

Their songs are meaningful, catchy and they move a lot of people, but in my opinion, their music is good for radio listening and video viewing of the narratives. We can also play their CDs at parties and probably for personal entertainment at home and when driving.

However, when it comes to live performances, these young lads still have a lot to learn. I have witnessed their live performances on several occasions and they are nothing to write home about. There is a difference between having hit songs on radio and being a great live performer. It takes a lot to own the stage and connect with the crowd.

I watched Killer T perform live at the recent Busy Signal concert and I must say it was below expectation. The same goes for the other Zimdancehall performers on the night who included She Calaz, Soul Jah Love, Bounty Lisa. The only exception on the night was Dadza D who gave a scintillating performance. Perhaps this was due to the fact that he was backed by Hotta Fire Band when the others used CDs as backing tracks.

If Winky D had performed on the night, I am positive that he would have stolen the show even from Busy Signal as his live performances are always superb. Unfortunately he did not perform after his manager, Jonathan Banda had been assaulted by the police.

The guy is talented, don’t get twisted about it. He is an all rounded super star. He takes his artistic genius on stage and converts it into an excellent live act and pull off a satisfactory performance without any major flaws.

His music rivals such as Shinsoman, Kinnah, Sniper Storm, Terminator, She Calaz, Platinum Prince, Qounfuzed, Jiggaz, Jah Signal, Soul Jah Love, Killer T and many others will continue to admire his act for a long time to come, but will find it hard to dethrone him.

Winky D is one man who will continue to inspire a lot of ghetto youths but he remains untouchable.

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