Another Jamaican artist, Jah Mason coming to Zimbabwe

Jah Mason headed to Zimbabwe

Jamaican musicians’ great trek to Zimbabwe continues following an announcement Jah Mason is heading for Harare over the Easter holiday. Eddie Gwenzi of Biggman Entertainment, who is hosting the show, confirmed the tour and said preparations were already underway.“We are doing our best to avoid previous situations when fans were left disappointed, so we are doing everything to make the tour smooth. We cannot say much at the moment, but everything is on course,” said Gwenzi.

Born Andre Johnson in 1970, Mason becomes the second Jamaican this year to tour Zimbabwe.  Gwenzi said they were not going to fly Mason’s band into the country as had been done by many promoters. “The idea is promoting local talent. We have to create employment and consolidate the talent we have locally, so we will use a local band to back Mason,” said Gwenzi.

Gwenzi employed the same strategy when he used Isaac Chirwa Ites to back Lutan Fyah last year, and it worked. The show is also expected to present an unusual platform for a clash between Sniper Storm (Donald Chirisa) and Winky D (Wallace Chirumiko) after their scuffle at the recently-held Mavado show.

According to Gwenzi, the show gives a chance to Winky D to prove his claim he is the best in the dancehall genre. “We are offering him a chance to prove his mettle. All along, all other musicians seemed scared of him but they now seem determined to challenge him,” said Gwenzi. Jah Mason rose through the ranks of order of the Rastafarian movement Bobo Ashanti which he joined in 1995. He had hits in Jamaica with My Princess Gone and Lion Look, and also made guest appearances on singles by his friend Jah Cure.

His first two albums Keep Your Joy and Working So Hard were released in the same year (2002). Since then he has released albums at a rate of more than one a year, including Wheat and Tears and Princess Gone...The Saga Bed, both released in 2006. (The Standard)