The City Of Kings And queens remains one of the leading showbiz hubs in Zimbabwe churning out new and fresh talent which has throughout the year hogged the limelight and stolen the hearts of many.
DIVINE DUBE /SINDISO DUBE
Although artistes from the southern part of the country continue to bemoan lack of support in terms of funding — long blamed for stunting the showbiz industry, Bulawayo has seen a handful of up and coming artistes rising as trendsetters from an industry currently in the “doldrums”. As the year 2013 comes to an end, Southern Eye Lifestyle looks at some of Bulawayo’s starlets and the showbiz’s new kids on the block at a glance.
Sandisiwe “TKP” Dube
The Magwegwe-born house music Queen is arguably one of the few female artistes to venture into the male-dominated genré. Her Extended Play released recently could be mistaken for a South-African house song especially if one listens to the track Ndoyenda. The young starlet has a bright future ahead and if she submits her tracks to NAMA, there is no doubt she can nick the accolade as the best female newcomer of the year. We say hats off to Afro-Platinum Music — the record label which nurtured the young musician from hip-hop to queen of house!
Thandeka “Thandy” Dhlana
The rising Mbira starlet recently launched her debut album Ongaziwayo. The album has a potential of going platinum if well marketed. We also appeal local radio stations to give coverage to the promising young artiste. The former Intombi Zomqangala dancer is lauded for her innovation — coming up with a unique genré of music — ethno-soul — which in essence has African roots. Due to its African flavour, the Bulawayo diva would perform at Roots Music from South Africa organised by Zimbabweans based in Austria next year.
Nobuntu
The all-female ensemble has since the recent launch of their album Thina, been the industry’s favourite kids as they hogged the limelight. Having resuscitated the flickering imbube music — known in modern terms as a cappella — the group courted the interested of 10th District — owned by Dumisani Ramadu Moyo of the Austria-based Bulawayo group Insingizi — and handed them the golden opportunity to perform in Germany recently. The women were lucky to share an international stage with well established artistes like Afro-jazz muso Jeys Marabini and we believe that if they don’t lose focus they will be poised to be a force to reckon with in African music.
Kasi Lami Art Platform (KLAP)
The Bulawayo hip-hop outfit has done a lot to transform Bulawayo — the “house-music city” to hip-hop having released numerous singles that have become a hit. Although the group came back home empty-handed from the hip-hop awards held in Harare recently, the invite to perform at the jamboree — where they put up a well choreographed and the best live performance on the night at 7 Arts Theatre — was enough for a group which has in the past been chorusing marginalisation as the major setback.
The 14-member group also boasts a female rapper in the name of Lady Thug — real name Samantha Ndlovu — who has managed to stand head up in the male-dominated industry. We exhort the group to up their game so that they end the city’s perennial drought in the hip-hop awards and we also hope that they will be nominated for the 2014 awards.
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Xolani Ndlovu aka Exmile
He is arguably one of the Bulawayo’s gifted vocalists having been voted as one of best three voices in Zimbabwe Starbrite talent show early this year. His recent album Bangaxabani is a marvel to listen to and we urge him to take a cue from other senior local Afro-jazz artistes for improvement. We urge him to stay focused and committed so as to avoid the pitfall of many upcoming artistes – appearing and disappearing!
Mbo Mahocs
The gorgeous starlet, 25-year-old fashionista and television host-cum-actress, has proved to be Bulawayo’s sweetheart as she has raised the city’s name high with her innovation in the showbiz industry. Mahocs came in to the limelight with her tremendous presentation on Bulawayo Swagg — an online TV show. The sassy starlet also landed a lead role in an upcoming local love short film, Look of Love. Her works caught the eye of Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe as she was invited to host the red carpet event and she did not disappoint. As if it was enough Mahocs became the first Bulawayo celebrity to be on the cover of Jewel magazine, a magazine that celebrates fashion, lifestyle and also women. The late Chiwoniso Maraire, Tinopona Katsande, Plaxedes Wenyika, among others, have featured on the magazine cover. We urge her to keep focused as she is poised to dazzle international scenes.
Langelihle Ndlovu, aka Langa
Bulawayo’s new diva with brains is one example of a girl who saw an opportunity and grabbed it. Her two singles Impilo Yam’ and Uthandiwe sent tongues wagging and the radio is really doing her justice. The model-cum-musician hogged the limelight when she co-hosted Zimbabwe’s reality TV show Zimbabwe IneStaera. With her two singles doing well, everyone is anxiously waiting for her debut album which she said will be released in March next year.
Nkululeko Ncube (Rebelious Klothing)
Socialites are nothing without fashion designers! Nkululeko Ncube (21) of Rebelious Klothing was the sought-after designer in the city and he has caught the eye of Harare-based socialites as well.
The young designer who made his debut appearance at the Clothing indaba three months ago has changed the image of many socialites and musicians such as Mbo Mahochs among others. The young designer is taking into the streets with his works that have never been seen before, for courageous individuals daring to come out in the open wearing them, because people will be looking at them and wondering what’s going on in their mind.
