REGGAE music still commands a huge following in Zimbabwe if the turnout at the Lion Lager Summer Beer Festival at the Glamis Stadium is anything to go by. Reminiscent of the 1980 Independence bash held at Rufaro Stadium featuring the legendary Robert Nester Marley or simply Bob Marley, this year's "Lion Lager Summer Beer Fest" confirmed the longheld view that Zimbabwe is in a class of its own, musically that is. Just like the late great Bob Marley, Cocoa Tea who was one of the headliners at the festival, opened his act with a rendition of the song "Zimbabwe" as a tribute to the country and the huge turnout amid fireworks that lit up the skies.
Cocoa Tea charmed the audiences with his "chill factor" and great artistry belting out hit after hit. And he is no pushover. Though he is from the old skool, the bloke still has a grip on the masses. Some came from as far as Kwekwe, Kadoma and Gweru while others from Harare's satellite towns, Norton and Chitungwiza for what appeared to be a pilgrimage. The red, gold and green colours were visible although some parts of the stadium were painted red by branded Lion Lager mechandise. It was a lifetime moment for reggae lovers as Cocoa Tea took control of the crowd from start to finish.
Cocoa Tea charmed the audiences with his "chill factor" and great artistry belting out hit after hit. And he is no pushover. Though he is from the old skool, the bloke still has a grip on the masses. Some came from as far as Kwekwe, Kadoma and Gweru while others from Harare's satellite towns, Norton and Chitungwiza for what appeared to be a pilgrimage. The red, gold and green colours were visible although some parts of the stadium were painted red by branded Lion Lager mechandise. It was a lifetime moment for reggae lovers as Cocoa Tea took control of the crowd from start to finish.
And coming after a splendid performance by Zimbabwe's foremost dancehall deejay Winky D, Cocoa Tea pulled it through nice and easy. Of course, Winky D or Di Bigiman came in full force and gave one of his best performances spiced up by the lady chanter called Lipsy. The yet-to-be released song "Hana Yangu Yakamira" is likely to be an instant hit on the dancehall scene. Also representing the Zimbabwean flavour was Mic Inity whose act was on point. Backed by his Hotta Fyah band, Mic Inity threw fans into a frenzy not once but throughout his performance.
Dressed in a designer suit and a matching black top, many people thought he was the don gorgon of reggae/dancehall with his mellow voice. One thing you cannot take away from Mic Inity is his superb voice and he knows how to treat his fans.His sidekicks Dadza D and I Watta did not disappoint.
A stampede could have broken out when Fantan Mojah arrived at the venue in a Hummer H2 accompanied by some groupies, the same faces that also flanked Beenie Man last year. Police moved in quickly, unfortunately they set a dog on some of the guests backstage. DJ Dee Vine who won last year's Lion Lager DJ Battle Contest, was mauled while another unidentified guest was injured.
The off-the-stage chaos could have dampened the spirits at the show, but thanks to Fantan Mojah he came and did his thing on stage as if nothing had happened. His high-energy delivery on stage was simply great such that most fans forgot about Beres Hammond, another drawcard who failed to turn up for the gig.
His absence was a blow to the organisers, Delta Beverages. Agent Nhamo Chitimbe last Friday became jittery saying that Hammond was on the next flight.
To the surprise of fans and sponsors, it turned out that Hammond had shows lined up in London. Some angry fans vented their anger on The Herald website. Earlier at the beer festival, there were several activities lined up including goch goch contest, tug of war, dance competitions and the DJ Battle. Power FM's DJ Tafadzwa Skwila won the DJ title and a Lion Lager branded laptop while Chucknosis came second and received a floating trophy. (Culled from Herald)
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