HomeOld_PostsWhere are Chibuku Road to Fame winners?

Where are Chibuku Road to Fame winners?

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TO all appearances and all facts laid out, musician Romeo Gasa remains the only creation of Chibuku Road to Fame to have survived birth.
Since its inception in 2001, Chibuku Road to Fame has been the leader in unearthing the gems that are expected to dazzle the local music industry.
Monetary prizes and recording contracts have been availed to winners.
It is the only competition in the country that has sought to nurture the vast musical potential and talent in the country.
Beyond doubt, it has become one of the best local competitions organised in collaboration with Delta Beverages and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ).
Indeed, the competition has identified, nurtured and brought to light talent that could have gone unnoticed.
The competition has made possible the commencement of careers of musicians who would hitherto have found it next to impossible to get their work produced.
Local talent from all parts of the country has enjoyed technical proficiency while showcasing their capabilities.
Chibuku Road to Fame has seen eager participants give their all to emerge ultimate winners.
The battle is brutal and participants bring their A-game, all the time.
Many are so good that one cannot help but feel that success for many of the groups is guaranteed.
The determination and passion exhibited is more than convincing.
And when the winner is announced, one applauds the birth of the new that holds so much potential and promise.
However, despite this splendid display and the effort put by Delta and NACZ, it seems the groups, including the winners of the competition, wilt in the brutal sun of the cut-throat music industry.
With the exception of Gasa, what other name is remembered from the competition?
While others have survived for a year or two, many have survived for a week or two when they are still news by virtue of their victory, thereafter they slink away never to be heard of again.
In 2010, winners of the competition, Club Shanga, an Afro-fusion band, went on to excel outside Zimbabwe.
For a few years, the group did well, held shows alongside prominent musicians.
The group had all the qualities to become a force to reckon with in music circles, its future was bright; but along the way, it silently disappeared from the stage.
Only Gasa, the 2007 winner, has remained consistent.
Never mind the challenges in the music industry, the artiste has kept himself busy with live shows as well as new compositions.
The young sungura artiste continues to justify his victory.
With four albums to his name, Gasa is not only a participant in the music industry, but is out to transform the sungura genre.
His latest offering, Bhoo Zvekuti, is an attempt to revolutise sungura.
For the first time, an outright sungura artiste has introduced female vocalists in the genre.
Speaking to Patriot Arts, Gasa said it is through dedication that he has managed to survive in the industry.
“I have kept the group that I won the competition with and we are all dedicated to our work,” he said.
“Working with established musicians has provided me the opportunity to learn more about the music industry.”
To date the Simbi Hombe hit-maker has released four albums that include Pin Code, Simbi Hombe (2014) and Mupedza Nyaya (2015).
Despite adopting the sungura genre at a time it was dominated by talented musicians such as the late Tongai Moyo and Alick Macheso, the then young Gasa believed in himself and his skills.
He made the most of the recording contract that was part of his victory package until he became an established musician.
As the annual competition continues, one hopes winners will exist beyond Chibuku Road to Fame.
Meanwhile, this year’s national finals held last weekend at the Glamis Arena in Harare saw Adequate Sounds of Harare scooping US$7 000 prize money and a recording contract.
Masvingo’s Wood Peckers came second, while Ngwena from Mashonaland Central was on third position.
All the winning groups for this year’s national finals play the sungura genre.
Past winners include Blackface (2006), Bopoma Stars (2009), Munandi Express (2011), Terry and the Bliss (2012) and Hambakwe Stars (2013), among others.

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