Former Zimbabwe Cricketer Henry Olonga who has been in exile for 16 years and now based in Australia, proved his prowess when he belted out “This is our moment” by Anthony Warlow during the Voice Australia blind audition.
The ex fast bowler blew away the judges especially former Destiny’s Child group member Kelly Rowland who couldn’t hide her excitement and was impressed with Olonga rendition.
Olonga rose to prominence in 1995 becoming the country’s first black cricketer. His career spanned to 8 years, featuring in two World Cups, 1999 and 2003 respectively.
His cricket career was cut short as he wore a black armband “mourning the death of democracy” with fellow teammate Andy Flower during the 2003 World Cup match against Namibia at the Harare sports club.
Fearing for his life, Olonga’s last match was in the Super 6 against Kenya which was played in South Africa.
He then went into exile first settling in the United Kingdom before moving to Australia where he currently resides.
Music is one thing which has always been close to his heart even during the years he was actively involved in cricket.
His popular hit ‘Our Zimbabwe’ ironically became a revolutionary song, years after its release as it got massive airplay in 2017 when the Zimbabwe Military removed his tormentor former head of State President Mugabe.
Willis Wattafi is back with a blockbuster-success bound album titled Uhuru/Independence that was launched on Africa Day’s eve at the Theatre in the Park.
Invited guests among them his family and the media had a chance to catch a first glimpse of the album which will be available in stores this week.
The toast of the launch was when he invited rapper Ti Gonzi to perform their song titled ‘Tauya nemuroora’.
Probably one of the most unusual collaborations on our list, but certainly one of the best. With an amazing video promised to drop this week, this catchy tune is one for the playlist.
Zimbuzz managed to speak to Ti Gonzi soon after his performance and he shed light on how the collaboration came about.
“Willis hit me up and said we should do a collaboration, a love song, and as someone who grew up listening to his music and have great respect for, I jumped to the opportunity,” said Ti Gonzi.
“I don’t just view Willis as a musician but as a brother, there are a lot of things that he has done for me as an individual.”
Ti Gonzi said he was about trying new things and venturing into different sounds.
“I think it’s just the evolution of music and the need to come with music that is different from what we have been comfortable with,” he told Zimbuzz.
Funny fact is that this was Ti Gonzi’s first time performing with a live band, something which he is grateful to Willis for.
“This was my first time performing with a live band and I am now coming up with my own band. I feel people know me as a rapper but im now penetrating the industry more as a musician without any limitations,” he said.
This article will be updated as soon as the song is uploaded on digital platforms
Former Radio Host on SA’s Cliff Central & Global Citizen – Gilmore Tee, is back on local television as a Host and Mentor for Zimbabwe’s model reality television show – Strut n Pose.
On the show, 15 models battle it out to become the ultimate model each season. The show takes models through a variety of challenges cutting across editorial, commercial and television, with some of the challenges getting them out of the comfort zone.
Produced by Award-winning video director Andy Cutta and renowned fashion designer – Maita Marimo, Strut n Pose premiered on ZBC TV on Sunday the 26thof May at 2130hrs, viewers can watch it via DSTV on Channel 280.
“I haven’t been on weekly television for over a year and a half, so this is exciting. Strut n Pose really falls in the space I work in on a day to day basis, fashion, media and panel beating brands.
I look forward to sharing this journey with viewers as we mold some of Zimbabwe’s models, whom you will possibly see in your magazines, television commercials, tv shows and films pretty soon,” expressed Gilmore Tee.
Gilmore is also known for his extensive work in the fashion industry, through his work with local designers and models, he works with platforms such as Mozambique Fashion Week, South African Menswear, Durban Fashion Fair, amongst many.
On television, he last hosted award nominated PAN African Television show – Thatha Wena, alongside Award Winning stylish Actress and TV Host, Mbo Mahocs,who is currently on ETV’s Scandal as Chichi.
On why the show is important for the model and fashion industry, Gilmore said, “The unfortunate part of our industry is the lack of exposure to the real competitive world.
Strut n Pose will bring the competitors face to face with some of the biggest designers, personalities and real-life challenges, thus equipping them to be better models and aim higher.
I have the privilege of not only hosting the show but also serving as an expect alongside, the incredible fashion designer – Maita Marimo and Top Model – Fisher Jordan.”
The Namibian, South African based “Female Artist of the Year Nominee” is back with yet another Gqom Banger, this time collaborating with the dance queen BUSISWA! Last week saw the launch of her latest single in South Africa.
TAYLOR JAYE is the exciting award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and actress both in Namibia and SA, under her own label company Jaye’s World Entertainment (Pty) Ltd.
Jaleesa! Gaoses is a philanthropist and entrepreneur, better known by her professional name TAYLOR JAYE.
Born and raised in Otjomuise, Windhoek, Namibia, she spent a large part of her growing up between USA, Namibia and South Africa. She is now largely based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The single titled “Sugar Blesser” is a fun track which addresses the social phenomenon of “Blesser” in Africa – highlighting that although wealthy men can financially support women for whatever reason, so many women can take care of themselves and don’t need “Sugar Blessers”.
Sugar Blesser is an electric Gqom song and will definitely draw any crowd to and keep them on the dance floor.
Taylor Jaye – Sugar Blesser ft. Busiswa (Official video)
The long awaited and highly anticipated sophomore album from award-winning Nigerian artist Patoranking has finally been released titled ‘Wilmer’ named after his daughter in the album artwork.
This follows the release of two singles “Confirm” featuring Davido as well as “Lenge Lenge” from the exceptional body of work.
Patoranking infuses his African sounds with his vocal command and Patois flair. On ‘Wilmer’, he has once again collaborated with some of Africa’s most respected artists in the 12-track project which includes features from Kenyan artist Nyashinski, South African queen of dance Busiswa,
French artist Dadju, UK artist Donae’O, Georgian Superstar Bera and fellow Nigerian artist Davido to name a few.
Prior to the release of the sophomore album release media, friends and fellow Nigerian artists gathered for an exclusive Wilmer listening party.
Fellow Nigerian artists such as Tiwa Savage, D’Banj, Wizkid, Don Jazzy, Phyno and Stonebwoy were in attendance to give the artistic body of work an ear held at the 12 Temple Ikoyi in Lagos, Nigeria.
Imagine a collaboration between two beautiful voices of Gemma and Ammara Brown, Now that will WORK!
The two songbirds are rumoured to be working together on a song that is due for release anytime this year.
The rumour mill went all out yesterday following an Instagram Story video by producer Simba Tagz, who is also believed to be behind the song, in which he posted the two ladies at some ‘studio’
Or maybe the bunch was just hanging out and catching up on the gossip? No, we don’t want to believe that. We want a collabo.
See the Instagram Story below and judge for yourself
Six-time award-winning rap sensation, Gigi Lamayne, is scheduled to perform at this year’s highly regarded Presidential Inauguration on the 25th of May in the Capital city of Gauteng, Pretoria in South Africa.
This prestigious announcement follows her recent release of Fufa featuring iconic hitmaker King Monada as well as her achievement as the first female in African Hip-Hop to put together a one-woman-show, The Gigi Gang Show.
Synonymous with pushing the envelope throughout her career, Gigi Lamayne continues to prove that by being recognized as the first female hip hop artist to grace the Presidential Inauguration stage.
An equally auspicious roster of musicians such as Reason, Judith Sephuma, Brenda Mntambo, and Kabomo will also take on the performance stage.
Gigi Lamayne Picture/Supplied
The Inauguration of the 6th democratic President, Cyril Ramaphosa, which is set to take place at Loftus Versfeld stadium will see the attendance of the honourable White House delegation and many heads of states, business people, religious leaders, academia, SADC leaders and distinguished guests from all over the globe.
Ahead of the sophomore release of Patoranking’s brand new album, the award-winning artist has finally released a track list and pre-order for his latest offering “Wilmer.”
It drops on the 24th of May 2019 and is dedicated to his daughter who is the title track of the project and is also on the album artwork.
The 12-track project includes features from Kenyan artist Nyashinski, South African queen of dance Busiswa, French artist Dadju, UK artist Donae’O, Georgian Superstar Bera and fellow Nigerian artist Davido to name a few.
The pre-order comes with two outstanding singles “Lenge Lenge” and Confirm featuring Davido, both videos have over 4 million views combined.
Patoranking has dominated the charts with the release of his debut album God over Everything that featured top Afrobeats artists such as Wizkid, Olamide, Phyno, and more.
Just 11 days after the release of his album, the debut reached number 4 on the Billboard charts making him the first Nigerian artist to make Billboard‘s Reggae Album Chart.
Album art for Wilmer
Shortly after, Patoranking won MTV Africa‘s Song of the Year award for his hit single “My Woman, My Everything” featuring Wande Coal.
His unique blend of Dancehall, Reggae and Afrobeats has allowed to create a distinct sound recognized by many.
With his vocal command and Patois flair, Patoranking has managed to collaborate with some of Africa‘s most respected artists such as Tiwa Savage, Ghanaian favourites Sarkodie and Bisa Kdei, as well as one of Africa‘s top dancehall artists Timaya.
Leading financial institution, ZB Bank has been unveiled as the sponsors of the inaugural Unlocked Gospel Music Competition.
The competition is being run by CSBC Zimbabwe, a registered Christian based organisation.
Unlocked Gospel Music Competition is an interdenominational music competition that seeks to unify churches through praise and worship revival by putting church choirs, gospel music bands and artists on one platform.
The competition will go through five stages, over a period of six months, with results being published at the end of each round. Round one kicks off on Saturday 1 June 2019 at Harare Gardens, main stage where the event is scheduled to start at 1200hrs.
Speaking at the launch Tuesday morning, Nobert Mavunga, the Group Chief Executive Officer of CSBC Zimbabwe said the competition seeks to unite people through music.
“Unlocked Musical competition is an interdenominational gospel music competition, and this day, marks the launch to celebrate vocals and acoustics of Unlocked Musical 2019. This competition was mooted in response to the socio-economic situation prevailing in our country and the need to unite the body of Christ through music,” he said.
“Anyone who is talented in music is free to join on the understanding that this is a gospel music platform. Therefore, only gospel music performances are acceptable,” Mavunga said.
ZB Financial Holdings Acting Group CEO S K Chiganze (left) and Nobert Mavunga, the Group Chief Executive Officer of CSBC Zimbabwe
ZB Financial Holdings Acting Group CEO S K Chiganze said, “As ZB Financial Holdings, we have people at heart because we know fully well that we exist and continuously thrive because of people.
As such we love to be part and parcel of the communities that we serve. For that reason, ZB sponsors a lot of community activities, including competitions as a way of giving back to the communities.
We sponsor high school business innovation competitions; in particular Emergination Africa Business Case.
I am making particular reference to this because we believe in our own local talent and would like to assist our youth to be entrepreneurial and “Achieve financial freedom, hence our pay-off line; GO BIG – Achieve your financial freedom’ which we are fulfilling by sponsoring the Unlocked Gospel Competition.”
Here is how you can enter
Those interested in taking part in the competition can register on the Unlocked Gospel Music competition’s website: www.unlockedmusical.com or ZB Website www.zb.co.zw and complete the online registration form and upload their video performance.
Registration is free and it starts on the 21st of May 2019 and closes at 12 pm on the 31st of May 2019. Registration forms are available on the Unlocked Music website or can be requested via WhatsApp on +263 772 150 777.
The first round of the Unlocked 2019 will kick-off at Harare Garden’s main stage on 1 June 2019 starting at 1200-1800 hours.
Gate tickets are RTGS$10.00 per person (standard) and RTGS$50.00 for VIPs. Each live performance will be captured on video and uploaded on the unlocked website (www.unlockedmusical.com) or www.zb.co.zw and the Unlocked social media handles that include our YouTube channel (Unlocked Musical), Facebook (@unlocked musical) and Instagram as well as the ZB Social media handles Youtube, Instagram, facebook @ZBBank.
Judging Process
With the exception of round one, where the judges get to decide which performances go through to the next round, in all the other subsequent stages, members of the public will decide who will go to the next round by voting on social media platforms and voting through text messages.
To vote, members of the public will simply like the video performance of their choice. At the end of a voting period in each round, the video entry with the highest number of likes and votes, goes to the next round.
With SMS votes, members must text the entry number assigned to the preferred video performance to SMS shortcode that will be provided. The entry numbers will also be labelled on different social media platforms.
At the end of a voting period in each round, the video entry with the highest number of likes and votes gets to be the round’s winner.
Winners’ Prizes
There is over RTGS $15,000 cash prizes to be won at the various stages of the competition. The winner of the first round will pocket RTGS $1000.
In the second and third round, winners will walk away with RTGS$2000 and RTGS$3000 each, respectively.
The fourth round will see the winner taking home RTGS $4000 while the grand finale winner will be awarded RTGS $5000 and a recording contract. ZB Bank is the Master key Sponsor of Unlocked 2019 Gospel Music Competition.
We have already had incredible Showbiz moments, but nothing is as exciting as welcoming the newest additions to Zimbabwe’s favourite Celebrity families!
Singer Tocky Vibes yesterday shared a cute pic of his newborn son, wrapped up in a white romper deep in sleep in the hands of his father.
Said Tocky on Instagram; “You are going to change this world my son #MWARImakatendeka mbiri yenyu ngaikudzwe.”
And the baby comes with some ‘political history’ after Tocky’s wife who was pregnant then got caught up in the army crackdowns in January and was believed to have been teargassed by soldiers.
Welcome young Shumba. Picture/Instagram
An angry Tocky Vibes then released a charged up song titled ‘Zviri Nani’ in which he attacked the soldiers for their brutality.
“My wife is pregnant and she could not run away from the military attacks last week. She called me to come and pick her up where she was but I could not come because I had no fuel. I was hurt,” lamented Tocky in January.
His pregnant wife was coming from church when the incident happened
“The song is not political and is non-partisan. I’m not politically aligned to any party but for soldiers to beat up innocent people they come across is not good. Soldiers are supposed to fight for us not fight against us,” he said.
