Pokello is arguably one of the most followed,most talked-about and admired Zimbabwean celebrities of our time.
Her star quality is extraordinary.
If you don’t know Pokello you are probably the most anti social human being on the planet.
This week she posted the above picture on Instagram, and we were taken back to seven years ago.
The last time Pepsi did an advert that drew global attention was in 2012 when the beverage company partnered with Beyonce in a $50m deal.
In the deal, Beyonce was going to be a creative partner and brand ambassador for the beverage brand, part of the company’s movement to go from sponsor to partner for musical artists.
It’s not the contents of the deal that we are concerned with, but rather the visual presentation.
Kill me for this…But since that famous Beyonce pic pushing a trolley load of Pepsi cans,there hasn’t been anything better until Pokello’s advert.
Pokello might have been engaged as a brand influencer for a couple of thousands but lawd did she nail it.
Inc.com webiste have a theory that they call ‘Playing With Our Mirror Neurons’. Mirror neurons are cells in your brain that fire when you both act and watch someone else perform the same act.
Using the same theory it’s almost certain that a few instagramers will try to do the “Pokello Challenge” dress in blue, grab a 500ml bottle of Pepsi and ‘look cool like Poke’
And that’s why we think the ad is the most ingenious thing a Zim celebrity has ever done. Shout out to the creative team and IKD Photography.
We spoke to one branding enthusiast Martin Boka of Boka Group of Companies and also co-founder of AfricanFire AF International and BCE Diamonds to hear his thoughts.
“The Pepsi brand is part of Pokello’s social conversations in that image and not the other way round,” he said.
“The combination and synchronising of the Pepsi brand colours with Pokello is on point.
“The red nail even though small, is quite loud and directs the viewer to the branded bottle cap, he noted.
“Pokello is a different breed of a person compared to most she understands the industry she’s in and it’s value chain,” said Mr Boka.
In December last year Rachel J released the remix to her single Makwikwi and it came with a promise of a video.
We waited a whole 2 months the visuals are here and they are worth the wait.
She enlists the talents of Soul Jah Love, Lady Squanda and Sniper Storm and magic happened.
The first scene of the music video begins with an establishing shot of what appears to be Rachel J chairing a board meeting.
She seats authoritatively in the chair’s seat and the room is full of men, all taking instruction from the boss lady.
We then get a first glance of Sniper Storm and it also appears he is one of Rachel J’s subbordinates at work.
After the meeting we would later see the same Sniper bringing a single rose to her boss,what utter guts! asking out the person who pays your salary.
But the rejection is blunt and epic, Rachel tell Sniper in the lyrics that she is top class and in demand and would not date low-lifers!
In the same scene another hopeful walks into Rachel’s big office but with a bouquet of roses, an improvement from Snipers’s single rose lol. But he too gets the boot.
Lady Squanda comes through dropping her bars reinforcing the narrative that the girls will not settle for just a guy, she too wants one with the dosh.
The song is Makwikwi, translated Competition and the contest is real.
Squanda delivers some strong bars saying she doesn’t care about his house or big car, all she needs is a guy who throws money at her like a church offering.
And did we mention how the two females are oozing in sexiness!! ???
And as usual Soul Jah Love reminds us that he still conquerers any beat thrown his way.
Rachel takes charge of the song as she maintains the role of performing the chorus with Sniper also having more share of the song.
We loved how Rachel changed her look from coperate to hip hop classic to a fiery Biker lady.
A new lease of life has been breathed into this song and the classic video releases trend continues.
Bahraini based spinner DJ Jackson teams up with Zimbabweans Carlprit and Kazz Mr Boomslang on his latest single Your Body
This is our first time laying hands on DJ Jackson’s work and wow he makes music to get lost in.
The effect form the music raptures them both in body and spirit, to a different musical ecstasy world.
The video starts off with some existential mind boggling experience, the lads are offered a chance to test a latest range of headsets.
Buoyed by his recent Star FM Music Award for best artist in the diaspora Kazz throws his deliveries with such seductiveness it will have every female with a body popping like a balloon.
German-Zimbabwean rapper Carlprit was impressive with how he has absorbed the disparate influences of many cultures into a rap style that he can claim to be only unique to himself.
Your Body music video was shot in the Kingdom of Bahrain during the 2018 Formula One Gran Prix.
Both Carlprit and Kazz were present for the filming, as well as for a surprise performance during the Grand Prix finale at one of Bahrains hottest beach and night life locations, the Coral Bay.
The Video features a rich cast from all walks of life, models from Spain, Venezuela, Colombia and Ukraine.
And for good measure a cameo appearance from Arabian socialite and big screen diva, Shaima Sabt, who boasts of one million plus Instagram followers.
Cindy Munyavi belongs to the exclusive league of what we would like to call the ‘last woman standing.’
Very few of her pals from the Urban Pop revolution have managed to stay fresh and relevant.
Produced by Zambia’s DJ Dro, ‘Waya Waya’ is an anthem for that emotional love flame at the hands of someone you deeply care for.
DJ Dro is the same producer who worked with Cindy on her 2018 single ‘Wabata Moyo’ and on this one he brings a different flavour yet familiar with Cindy’s sound.
The two whose chemistry is evident are back in peak form with this mix of Afro funk and we are loving it.
Saturday afternoons on Star FM Zimbabwe are like a sanctuary of happiness with Boom Baby.
She can make a case for being amongst the liveliest DJs out there, her shows are unforgettable, they are like wild affairs that live long in the memory.
Her radio show ‘Nothing But The Hits’ is always creating a sense of genuine euphoria as listening figures soar to hear what the fiery DJ has in store.
We had a long chat with her about life and other stuff, read on..
For someone who doesn’t know you, who is Boom Baby?
Boom Baby is a radio and Tv personality aka Rufaro Chakanyuka. My twitter bio actually reads, MC | MODEL | DJ | TV PRESENTER #BaddestChickOnTv.
The mantra is “Invest In Me Today And Avoid The Rush Tomorrow!” I am a broadcaster, I love food, I love fashion, I’m all about the entertainment industry and a true creative at heart.
I am your next favourite Zimbabwean Outernational Star on the rise! My mission is to put Zimbabwe on the map and leave a legacy for my family. My guardian angels won’t let me rest until I win in this life! I’m cheerful person, full of energy and some say I should take up comedy because I am hilarious.
We’re looking into that…….also real quick, shout out to all the second borns out there, because I’m outchea too. Also, shout out to my Bulawayo fam, your girl is the building! I’m that girl who yells “Mufarokunemhunuwese“ on the radio!
When did you know deejaying is something you wanted to pursue?
The “deejaying journey on how I got on radio” is a long story, one for a day at the spa, but if I were to break it down, after a year at Monash University and I went on study at The University of Namibia BA majoring in Banking and Finance.
During late registration, most officials at every registration point kept encouraging me to enter Miss First Year. Let’s fast track to meeting old and new friends who thought it would be great if I participated. They signed me up and boom four weeks later I had made it to the pageant top finalists.
So as the top finalists we went on a radio tour for interviews, and I remember, as clear as an early Christmas morning, the lines blew up with listeners saying how much they loved me when I was on air and it was in that moment I knew this is what I needed to do. Fast track to hosting a radio show on Campus radio and then presenting a Tv Show on NBC and the rest is history.
How long have you been a DJ/Presenter?
I have been a DJ/ Presenter officially since September 2010.
Name two highlights of your career as a DJ/presenter so far.
Oh wow, how can you make me choose?
If I had to say top highlights for TV, presenting a Tv Show called Flippen Frisky on NBC (Namibia Broadcasting Corporation) and also hosting the Blue carpet for the NAMAs Namibian Music Awards twice.
For radio, I’d say most of my celebrity interviews are biggest highlights, from interviewing Cassper, Ycee, Ajebutter, Dr Sid, Lady Zamar, Shomadjozi, Una Rams, Tresor, K.O, Oteya, Gazza, Yanice, Ammara, Boom Beto, DJ Robtech…….the list is looong! Like all my celebrity interviews are the business! Shout out to all creative’s who keep putting in the work. Without them wuuuushem!
How do you feel when you’re DJing?
All I know is, the moment I switch on the On Air Mic, something within me happens. I transform into the saucy Nicki Minaj, the messy Wendy Williams, the outstanding Rick Dees and the over the top Somizi isn’t we grew up watching SABC too lol.
Honestly, I feel like a super girl, ready to save the world with some seriously good music. What’s my name? Boom Baby! So I make the whole world say #BoomBaby.
What have you learnt since you started out as a DJ/Presenter?
Upon my life, preparation is KEY! Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse and rehearse for infinity!
What music have you listened to today and how do you prepare for your show?
Oh gosh I haven’t listened to any music today actually. It’s been a working weekend and some hectic hours right about now. This is how I prepare for my show, it’s an ongoing process every moment of my life to be honest.
Every second I’m planning, I’m thinking, I’m joting down ideas, I’m booking people, I’m scribbling down catchphrases, so it’s actually an on-going process. But this is how I try and get snatched though, I don’t go out partying on a Friday night if you ever see me out on a Friday night remind me to go home.
On Saturday I take four hours to get ready from 9am to 1pm before I gotta rock the airwaves, then on my way to the show, I’m praying my heart out, I’m calling upon the Gods of Fun and Music to come through whilst I rehearse. I slap on extra lippy when I arrive at the station, I take a mint, and a sip on some water and take a selfie. Selfies are a standard even though they never make it to the gram.
Who is your celebrity crush?
I feel like I need a moment to stalk the BET IG account …….. This is a really difficult question, hardest question for 2019 hands down, because I’m not trying to lose my bag or friends ….. but mostly the bag ahaha! So I’ll tweet my celebrity crush on the first of March @teamruffy
Are you single?
I’m healthy, I’m happy, I’m ready to work!
What made you pick the dress/outfit you wore to the Star Fm Music Awards?
When the Star Fm Music Awards were held I was going through the most. I didn’t have enough time to fly in a Gert Johan Coetzee creation, so I relied on my trusted online shopping spree.
At the Star FM Music Awards 2019
My advice is, don’t be scared to shop online. Anyway I saw a video of this dress, I knew I wanted and boom, I got it. Actually, shout out to all boutiques and labels who advertise online. My image brief was Tracy Ellis Ross hair, Pearl Thusi armpits and Gigi Hadid height. Ooooo my dress fitted like a glove, #MadeForMe!
On what do you spend the most: clothes, accessories, perfumes, lingerie , or anything else?
Oh yikes, I spend the most on my shower hour products. I literally sat down this one time and I was like what, how many trips to Zanzibar could I have gone on?! I always post up on my status which products I’m falling in love with for the month. Shower hour is always lit! But following closely behind is meat.
What do you do when not working?
As a creativeprenuer, I’m constantly thinking about new creative projects to run with, so most of the time I am planning and scheduling.
I have an eight to five job too, as a copywriter so my mind is working always. I guess we never stop working even when watching a series, news, movie or the even streaming audio shows, it’s all part of the process. Learn something new every day.
Thank you Zimbuzz for catching up with me. Looking forward to sharing my upcoming project with you and the rest of the world #Mufarokunemunhuwese – Boom Baby! FB/TW/IG : @teamruffy
Last
Friday night he was hosted at Ambassador hotel, a venue that is rather old, ancient and no
millenial will be found there -the joint is slay queen proof.
It
is the typical cigar and fine whiskey ‘yema dhara ane bag dumbu’ and they will
not be bothered by the fact that their date have a pot belly that would put
anyone in their second trimester to shame.
Back
to the facts!
Sulu
hosted a crowd of roughly 300 guests at the roof top and he gave a classic energetic
performance.
Vocals
were solid and Dendera lives within his blood and it’s contagious, so much that
from the roof top you could see guards in bibs and the odd chigunduru breaking
their legs to the four note four count choreography of the beat.
Clad
in all white his band danced the night away, yes, Sulu does not wreck in 1000
followers or does he have a million views on YouTube but he has an intimate connection
with his audience.
A
war vet who follows him says that; “even though Simon is dead, he lives in
mwana uyu,”
I almost cried when he performed Chauta, i know what the song means and what the history says.
Last year the artist was the darling of every conversation when he collaborated with disabled Afro jazz artiste Tongai “Greatman” Gwaze on a duet titled Pandakazvarwa.
Greatman and Sulu
The two artists who met in Mhangura before decided on working together are off to Leicester City for a show on March 2 where they will be joined by Alick Macheso and Seh Calaz.
— Jeffrey Murimbechi is a practising journalist and Presenter at Capitalk 100.4 FM. A former music reviews columnist at the Sunday Mail as well as former Social Media Producer at ZiFM Stereo follow him on Twitter: @jeffreydanai
Cymplex music might be living in the shadows of Chillspot Records but it’s certainly a reliable and delivering stable.
2019 Zimdancehall, likewise has started on an impressive note. We have the Wannabe riddim.
One more time big guns have been assembled and were up to the task. The riddim has been flooded with great hits, ranking them would really be controversial.
Enzo continues to defy the odds and we can safely say the kid is here to stay and for a long time,as he continues to tickle us with his appealing storytelling prowess.
His song ‘Chimbondisiya’, accompanied with sexually provocative lyrics is surely adding on to his countless hits since he broke into mainstream.
Veterans Shinsoman, Tally B, Guspy Warrior, Freeman, Killer T are the voices you probably missed on these riddims and we must say the comeback is not to be overlooked.
They all had decent songs maintaining a good standard in their illustrious careers. Much is owed to Cymplex for dishing out a crispy sound.
Without drawing any comparisons Wannabe riddim is international standard, there must have been thorough input in this project.
The Zimdancehall new school also showed their class.
Nutty O and his patois perfectly rode the riddim with a club banger, Bazooka the creative and talented lyricist also did justice to it but this time educating us on gender based violence, maturity. Queen Kadhija and Jah Signal impressed as expected.
Wannabe had surprise guests, Gary Tight, one of the most talented vocalists around and did the most on the riddim.
Rapper Kikky BadAAss continued her date with Zimdancehall and she is remarkably multitalented. Notably, she sounded like Enzo Ishall and that should not be a surprise, they have been all over each other.
I am gonna dare you with my top 5 after making thorough considerations which include flow and content.
Popular talk show hostess Dr Rebecca Chisamba says she is relishes her Australian tour scheduled for next month.
Mai Chisamba who hosts the popular ‘Mai Chisamba Show’ on ZBCTV will be holding two shows one in Perth on March 30 and Sydney on March 22, 2019.
“I am humbled that
people out there are noticing the work that I do. As you know the show is about
promoting our local language and also our cultural values so I am happy
Zimbabweans are now proud of who they are.
“For me it’s about connecting with fellow countrymen and
women and I look forward to it,” she said.
Themed “Morari naMai Chisamba” both shows are promoted by
Christina Muchenagumbo aka Chrissy.
“We chose that theme because as much as we are discussing
issues that are sensitive and pertinent it will be done in an environment that
is happy, it will be an elegant red carpet night, good food and good vibes,”
Christina more popularly known as Chrissy said.
She explained when pressed further on the visit by Dr
Chisamba: “Zimbabweans living in the diaspora have had experiences with
depression, suicide, marital issues, domestic violence etc.
As much as we have lots of services in the country to help
deal with issues we thought as a community it would be ideal to have someone
whom we can identify with to discuss this is a neutral environment.”
Chrissy said it was time to get together as Zimbabweans
under one roof despite “religion, dialect, gender or colour because we all face
the same issues and problems.”
Topics to be discussed are: How to raise children in the
diaspora maintaining our traditional values. Supporting families back home and
how to do it with stressing oneself.
Role change in the diaspora, women earning more than men.
Depression and suicide in the diaspora.
Domestic violence and high rate of divorces people
divorcing after many years in marriage.
How to balance work, home and family as well as maintaining
a healthy love life while spending time with each other.
According to Chrissy there are panelists for both shows
male and female. “This is an event for both ladies and gentlemen who are 18
years and above.
We have made the shows diverse because over the years we
have seen ladies involved in a lot of groups and supporting each other.
“This time we would like to put all the heads together as a
family, as a unit and as a people and it’s not to be missed!”
Chrissy is based in Sydney who runs Baking with Chrissy and
her daughter Mazvita.
The 40-year-old has been baking for seven years having been
a self-taught baker. She said her passion was to make sure everyone tasted her
cakes and also be able to make their own.
Danai Gurira made history on Sunday night when she
became the first Zimbabwean to present an Oscar in what is regarded as the
world’s most popular film award ceremony.
The 91st Academy
Awards ceremony was screened on DStv.
She teamed with James McAvoy to present two
Oscars, one for Best Sound Editing and the other for Best Sound Mixing, both of which went to
the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rapsody.
Gurira has an increasing presence in the Hollywood scene and was featured in the 2018 box office hit Black Panther, which was also winner of several Oscars in the ceremony.
The 41-year-old actress stunning looks also stole the red carpet attention.
Danai Gurira in Brock Collection
She showed up at the Oscars rocking a gold, strapless, floor-length gown from Brock Collection and a head full of braids.
The ‘Black Panther’ star proved that you don’t have to break the bank to look like a million bucks as she wore makeup from budget-friendly drugstore brand BLK/OPL.
Chenesai in partnership with British Council
and Nataal Media will from the 8th to 10th of March host Fashion Futures
an all female-led multinational project.
The programme was Curated by Chenesai Mukora-Mangoma to foster creative engagement for change and to encourage collaboration by bringing together four content creators from varied artistic genres including fashion, beauty, visual art and anthropology.
The team includes Zimbabwean visual artist
Lucia Nhamo, British Ghanaian writer, curator and visual anthropologist Adjoa
Armah, Malawian beauty and wellness expert Thokozani Phiri and Namibian design
and fashion creative Leah Misika.
Collectively, they are carrying out
groundbreaking research on sustainability within underground fashion
industries.
Each of them is tasked with producing content
for a country other than their own – Lucia for the UK, Adjoa for Zimbabwe,
Thokozani for Namibia and Leah for Malawi.
The project falls in line with British
Council priority areas, which include promoting collaboration, urban youth
development and empowerment.
As the content creators journey through their research process, youth
engagement will be a key component in exposing young people to the importance
of developing sustainable fashion sectors.
“The body of work produced hopes to
contribute to the framing of sustainable policy that will ensure that fashion
is a lucrative trade for the young generation,” explains Chenesai.
Fashion Futures also
hopes to highlight the fact that a well-established creative sector boosts
culture and tourism.
Key dates for the project are centered in
Zimbabwe. In March, Cultural Producer Lorraine Bgoya will host round table
discussions with the project research team and local content creators at the
Moto Republik hub in Harare.
This will be followed by various activities
in Bulawayo, where content creators will explore tanneries in the vicinity,
before exhibiting immersive,multi-media installations incorporating film,
sculpture, textiles, photography, crafts and written texts.
A group of local creatives have been brought
on board to collaborate in support of the project.
Rudo Nondo, the country coordinator for
Fashion Revolution will conduct sustainable fashion training for value chain
stakeholders during the content creators immersion program in Harare and
Bulawayo.
Graffiti Art collective ‘Calligraph’ will
employ their knack for colour to create the official project banner, while Adrian
Zhou and Tatenda Kanengoni will oversee documentation of the project
engagements through photography and film.
In Bulawayo, content producer Gilmore Tee
will utilize his knowledge of the city to ensure that the team fully taps into
the undiscovered local fashion talent.
The culmination of Fashion Futures will be final
works by each creator – published on Nataal and other digital media and social
platforms globally – that document and imagine new narratives for sustainable
fashion.
Chenesai Brand houses 3 portfolios including
fashion brands, social change and a legal portfolio working to find the synergy
between sustainable development, trade and investment in the fashion
sector.
