Cde Fatso and Josh Meck on European Tour

HARARE - Rising Zimbabwean musicians Josh Meck and Cde Fatso (Samson Monroe) have left Harare for a European tour where there are billed to perform in some of the biggest cities while abroad. They both departed on Saturday.Meck and Cde Fatso, who are both part of Chabvondoka, Crew are going on solo missions, not as an act. 

Speaking to the Daily News before his departure, Meck said he had high hopes of the tour and was greatly looking forward to it.“We are attending the Who are you people project under an African collaboration act in Sweden. We will stage performances there individually.

The tour in Denmark will run until October 23,” he said. “From Denmark I will go to Stockholm (Sweden) to attend the Improvisation Theatre meeting. During my stay in Sweden I will do solo shows with the help of the people from the theatre sector,” he said.Meck said he was getting his second album mastered in Sweden and would come back in time for the launch in November. He said the good thing about these tours was that one got to meet with people who in turn would help them in their careers.

“I am going to attend a number of meetings with the festival directors there. It is best that when one gets an opportunity to tour he or she should network,” he said.At the age of 28, Meck has managed to tour Europe and record with various artists. He began his career 14-years-ago playing the guitar and has not stopped since then. Participating in several talent shows saw him link up with established artists among them Prince Mafukidze and Pastor Gee. 

He has played with several bands including The Colour Blu, Africa Revenge and currently with Cde Fatso and Chabvondoka Crew. Cde Fatso is one of the most popular and controversial poets in the Zimbabwe arts scene. He calls his poetry Toyi Toyi poetry, radical street poetry that mixes Shona with English and mbira with hip hop.Cde Fatso and Chabvondoka have performed at various platforms and festivals in France, UK, Holland, Kenya and others. Chabvondoka is a multi-racial African band and they launched their much-acclaimed album, House of Hunger in 2008. 

They have shared the stage with Missy Elliot, David Guetta and other internationally known artists. Recently, Cde Fatso led the organisation of the Shoko hip hop festival which was well attended during its week-long fixture.The festival had an international flavour and hosted United Kingdom and regional artists who put up a five star performance at the venues slated for the daily shows.