AFTER making headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks, the now controversial dancehall musician, Obey Makamure, better known as ‘Tocky Vibes’ has released a new album entitled Toti-Toti.
The album comes at a time when the young musician is being criticised for constantly disappointing his fans in various live shows.
Only last week, people who attended the popular Zimpapers Bridal Show came out guns blazing, accusing Tocky Vibes of taking them for granted.
Although, the Rugare-based musician later apologised, he had already spoiled the show.
On several occasions, the dancehall crooner has left fans mad at live shows either with a shoddy performance or by not turning up at all.
It started with the lad being accused of allegedly refusing to curtain raise for superstar Oliver Mtukudzi last year in Chitungwiza followed by his weak performance at the Lock Down show which featured South African popular group, Mafikizolo, Oliver Mtukudzi and Alexio Kawara in December last year at the Harare International Conference Centre.
After disappointing at the Mafikizolo show, Tocky Vibes went on to anger his fans when he did not show up at a Book Café show where he was scheduled to perform.
This has led some people to conclude that Tocky Vibes’ instant fame has intoxicated him to the extent that he now takes his fans for granted.
In another nasty character blow, Tocky Vibes made headlines in the local media after being accused of allegedly not paying people whom he featured on his video for the popular song ‘Mhai’.
However, despite all this ‘mess’, Tocky Vibes has managed to fulfil his promise of releasing a new album before mid- year and there is no doubt that he remains a force to reckon with in the music industry.
It is unquestionable that when the young musician came into the music field, he stole the hearts of many and to date he remains an inspiration to many people in the country.
Unlike some of his dancehall counterparts, Tocky Vibes’ solid and morally upright messages are his strength.
His compositions not only highlight the plight of the less fortunate, but are a source of inspiration for every one trying to make it in life such that he became popular not only among dancehall fans, but in almost every household in the country.
Speaking to Patriot Arts, Tocky Vibes’ manager, Elvis Bokosha confirmed that the new album is already circulating after it was released during the Easter holiday.
He said he was confident that people would love it.
“Tocky has a new album already circulating and it was released last weekend, but I cannot talk about the date for the official launch now,” he said.
Recorded with live instruments, the eight-track album highlights, Tocky Vibes’ unique way of coming up with lyrics that carry a message of endurance, forgiveness and hope.
In the title track ‘Toti-Toti’, Tocky Vibes’ message is clear; doing things in a rush does not yield positive results.
“Ndaona vachimhanya-mhanya mombe haikorere pamarket, toita kufamba toti-toti, kufamba kwevakatsanya…hapana chekumhanyira…nhasi muchanditsamwira munhu ngaakohwe paakasima.” are some of the lyrics.
In his series of 2014 singles, the song ‘Mhai’ is a major highlight that appealed and was loved by both the young and old.
In his new album, Tocky Vibes throws another jam, ‘Mweya Wekubara’ which like ‘Mhai’ also emphasises the importance of mothers as highlighted by some of the lyrics, “Vakangonzwa kuti ndarwara vanotogara vakabata rushaya mweya wekubara wakavabata.”
Pundits in the music industry contend that Tocky Vibes must use his new album to rebuild good relations with his fans.
However, his manager, Bokosha insists that Tocky Vibes is doing everything in his career above board and that the talented musician would never do anything willingly to disappoint his fans.
It must be against this background that Tocky Vibes included a track entitled ‘Nyama Yekugocha’ in his new album.
In the track he acknowledges that just like every human being he is bound to make mistakes.
“Seiko vachizongoona pandashaisha…ndiani munatsi pasi rino, Tocky mutadzi munhuwo,” are some of the lyrics of the song.
Besides Tocky Vibes’s controversy that was dismissed by his manager, the talented musician’s new album is indeed an album with a difference, both in terms of quality and the messages it carries.
He kept his promise of a new album before mid-year and did not disappoint.