By Tatenda Gapa

ZIMBABWEAN artistes must emulate the self-control that renowned Jamaican artiste Luciano displayed during his performance last week at the Glamis Arena in Harare.
Backed by local band Hotta Fire, the ‘In this together’ hit maker went on to the stage around midnight and wasted no time getting straight into the business of the night as he was left to rule the night after some of the local artistes who were part of the line-up failed to impress.
Other local artistes and Djs who were present included Sulumani Chimbetu and Orchestra Dendera Kings, Sniper storm, Winky D, Dj Bonzo of Fayah Lynx Sound, Etherton B of Judgment Yard and Dj Garry B of Immortal Movement.
Luciano, the 50-year-old Jamaican icon, born Jepther McClymont on October 20 1964, made numerous hit songs including, ‘In this Together’ and ‘If Jah’.
He rose to become one of the dominating reggae voices out of Jamaica and perhaps discipline played a major role.
During his performance last Friday, a fan from the crowd handed him a beer.
Instead of drinking it, something that is done by a number of dancehall chanters in Zimbabwe, he put aside the can and continued with his performance.
This is the kind of discipline that should be emulated by our artistes.
Artistes in Zimbabwe are often involved in numerous scandals which destroy their images, for example the likes of Tocky Vibes and Soul Jah Love who even missed his own album launch.
Luciano showed a kind of maturity that musicians in Zimbabwe should learn from.
His performance was very energetic despite his age.
A man his age would have been expected to give a weak performance, but he was able to live up the expectations with an extraordinary performance although the crowd was not as large as anticipated.
Chantel Sibanda who attended Luciano’s show said she was happy with the performance.
“I really felt that I got value for my money and I really enjoyed it,” she said.
“I especially enjoyed his song, ‘In this together’ and I feel he is a virtuous performer.”
Luciano’s music has been consistently praised for imparting sentiments of spiritual salvation, edification and humanitarian uplift.
His positive lyrical themes have justifiably earned him the title, ‘The Messenger’.
His songs are inspirational and contain meaningful messages.
In his song ‘Your world and mine’, he sings about how great it is to live in a world without war.
“Imagine living in a world where there is no war…..what a wonderful world it would be, a world of love and peace….When no evil can abide only righteousness and creed and we can do it if we only believe, yes we can do it if we only agree it’s your world and mine,” are some of the lyrics.
Luciano also ignited the independence mood thorough his song, ‘Guess what’s happening’.
The lyrics on the song are a reminder of the hope that the nationalists in Zimbabwe had before the attainment of independence in 1980.
“Well guess what’s happening a new day’s dawning see the black son’s rising soon he will be free… See that poor disgruntled youth trying his best to know the truth why his ancestors have died from those all who robbed and ruled so many years of blood and stain,” says Luciano.
Luciano, whose music appeals to an audience hungry for cultural roots music, does not follow the same musical path of many of his predecessors as such.
Earlier musicians like Bob Marley, used reggae rhythms as a vehicle for serious social criticism and political expression, however, Luciano’s music is mainly spiritually and socially uplifting.
His lyrics have a deep meaning that can resonate with beliefs and experiences and our fellow artists must learn from him.