…Will he surpass the standards set by the late Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi?

Ngoni Dapira

AT Motoring Club in Mutare he set a record crowd which had last been set by the late legendary superstar Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi and now he is about to set another record at the annual Montclair Winter Fair that was started and annually headlined by Tuku for six years until his passing in January 2019.

The late super star Oliver Mtukudzi became Zimbabwe’s first internationally acclaimed musician.

This can only be the man of the moment Jah Prayzah who continues to stay on top of the game as a perennial hitmaker. Riding high with his new song ‘Chiremerera’ which is already trending and topping the music charts, Jah Prayzah has beyond doubt proved he is the new Zimbabwean saManyanga as the late Tuku was affectionately called by his totem.

Locally and beyond the borders, Jah Prayzah is now a household name with many collaborations with regional superstars like Nigeria’s Yemi Alade and Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, to mention a few. This time around he will again prove that he can draw record crowds anywhere he goes. The late Tuku started and annually headlined the Winter Fair since 2013 and drew large crowds all the time at the Fair which includes a golf tournament during the day, then the show at night.

Killer T

Jah Prayzah will be the main act, but Zimdancehall prodigy Killer T will be the curtain raiser and renowned disc jockey Abisha Palmer of the ZiDancehall Empire on the turntables. Killer T in March released his album ‘Tirivemuma streets’ which is also doing well with songs such as ‘Ngausandidaro Mujolo’ and ‘Tanamata’ making waves in clubs. The ‘Takangodaro’ hitmaker has over the years also proved his mettle as a top musician with perennial hitsongs that also top the charts.

Jah Prayzah who was in the eastern border city two weeks ago for the Diamond FM seventh anniversary at Osborne Dam will again make a date with his fans from the East and some of his followers who are coming from Harare to enjoy an up-close show.

With a cover charge of US$30 advance tickets and US$40 at the gate, the Winter Fair usually attracts uppity revelers unlike the usual US$10 shows that are often oversubscribed. Advance tickets in Mutare are being sold at Booties Pharmacy.

Last month on May 12 Jah Prayzah released his ‘Chiremerera’ album whilst his latest 13th album ‘Maita Baba’ was launched the following day on the 13th of May. Montclair Hotel marketing executive Busi Tutani confirmed that their 85 roomed hotel was already fully booked which was a sign that the show is going to be sold out.

“The hotel and most lodges and cottages in Nyanga are already fully booked. It will certainly be a fullhouse tonight and we are glad that the festival has grown over the years. The idea is to boost domestic tourism. With the support of our ever growing community of friends and sponsors perhaps we will host international artistes soon,” said Tutani.

Yesterday (Friday) there was the junior golf tournament and today at 8:30am the amateur golf tournament kicked off. The show is expected to start at 6pm in the evening.

Montclair Hotel general manager Brian Nyakutombwa said it has not been easy finding an artiste that that can easily fill the void left by the late superstar Tuku who headlined the the winter fair for many years. He however expressed optimism in Jah Prayzah being capable of being the game changer that the fair was looking for.

“Ever since the passing on of Dr Mtukudzi it has not been easy filling the void that he left. We want to believe that we are on the right path as we apply efforts towards creating another formidable series of entertainment episodes that will make a mark like Dr Mtukudzi did,” said Nyakutombwa.