Arts Reporter

ALL roads lead to the Glamis Arena, Harare, for the Chibuku Road to Fame national finals this Saturday.

Ten groups who came first in the various provincial competitions will clash for a

US$5 000 grand prize and a recording contract.

Brewed in 13 Delta Beverages across the country, Chibuku is the country’s leading traditional sorghum opaque beer brand.

First brewed in 1955, Chibuku is brewed using the finest maize and sorghum grown locally.

Delta marketing manager, Patricia Murambinda said this year’s participants are expected to give high quality performances considering the time they had been afforded to perfect their acts.

“Unlike previous years, this year’s groups have been given time to polish their performances through the assistance of the National Arts Council Of Zimbabwe (NACZ),”she said.

Giants in the music industry such as Sungura maestro Alick Macheso,Winky D, Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu, Romeo Gasa and last year’s winners, Terry and the Bliss will grace the event.

Runners up in the competition will get US$4 000 and

US$3 000 respectively.

Chibuku Road to Fame has become the country’s biggest and most successful talent identification platform.

It has seen the birth of artistes such as the talented Sungura musician Romeo Gasa.

The competition has ensured that untapped talent scattered across the country does not suffer stillbirth providing upcoming musicians with technical expertise, event management and a platform to showcase their talents.

The contest has provided a desperately needed kick-start in an industry that continues to struggle due to lack of sponsorship and the scourge of piracy.

Genres to be performed at this year’s edition include Sungura,Reggae, Rhumba-Museve, Traditional, Afro Fusion, Afro Jazz and Afro Pop.

Provincial groups performing at the finals include Hambakwe Stars (Mashonaland East), Rear Spears (Manicanicand), Motor Super Sounds (Matebeleland South), Human Life (Mashonaland West), Sounds of the Universe (Bulawayo), CY The legends Band (Masvingo), Soul Panorama (Midlands), The Way (Mashonaland Central), Were (Harare) and African Traditional vibes (Matabeleland North).

Previous winners of Chibuku Road to Fame include Valembe Stars, Bopoma Stars, Club Shanga, Romeo Gasa and Terry and the Bliss.

Meanwhile, Delta Beverages will hold the last of the Lion lager Campus Nite Activations gigs at the University of Zimbabwe.

Stunner, Shinsoman, Sniper Storm, Jah Prayzah, King Shaddy and Winky D are expected to perform at a show that marks the end to the campus gigs.