Urban grooves artists in nationwide tour

Urban grooves artists from the Heshi Mfeshi record label have started a nationwide tour that will see them interact with fans from all over the country. People have often complained that these young artists only catered for Harare fans and that they only see or hear them on television or radio.

Speaking to the Daily News, Joe Machingura a producer, manager and co-owner of the record label said it was their way of promoting artists on their label. “As a stable we are organising our own concerts. Our motive is for people to know our songs and in doing so we will be promoting our label and the artists.

“Last weekend we were in Chivhu and I must say the response was surprising. Our artists namely Shinso, Mzimba, Arnold Gara, Taurai Mandebvu, Leonard Mapfumo, Tishemme, Dj Mbale and Yoz performed at the Chivhu community Hall,” he said. He said the people in Chivhu were very supportive as seen by their turnout.

“About 500 people turned up for the show and the hall has a carrying capacity of 700. To be honest we did not expect such a positive response, we did not know what to expect. But this was something positive,” said Machingura. On February 25 they will be in Gweru and then Murewa.

“The artists have been rehearsing for the past three weeks. This is our own way of promoting ourselves and cater for the fans’ needs. In Murewa, we hope to have Cindy Munyavi and Trevor Dongo on board as last time they were not there due to prior engagements,” he said. Upcoming dancehall artist Shinso, who is currently rocking the airwaves with his songs Chisveru and Minana featuring Sulu, said it is their way of growing.

“These shows uplift us and get us to a level we never knew we would get to. I hope that other promoters will start to notice us and include us in their concerts. Promoters have not been promoting us so this is our way of getting noticed and reach out to the fans. I was surprised that people in Chivhu know my music. They were actually asking for the song Superstar,” he said.

Heshi Mfeshi studio was opened in 2006 and Machingura co-owns it with Leonard Mapfumo. Urban grooves genre started in the early 2000s and has seen many artists emerge onto the scene. They have been struggling to get noticed but people are now warming up to them. This is evidenced by the ZBC Power FM’s top 100 where urban grooves were in the top 10. Artists such as Stunner, King Shaddy, Ngoni, Nox, Maskiri, Roki, and Taurai Mandebvu made it to the top 10. (Dailynews)