Tryson or Suluman?

Tryson and Suluman Chimbetu 

Harare's Holly’s Hotel on Saturday night vibrated to the sound of the youthful duo of Tryson Chimbetu and Peter Moyo. The two musicians, among the most sought-after entertainers on the live circuit, sent revellers swinging until early yesterday morning. Tryson came on stage first and I have to confess, the young dendera commands respect and is probably the best among several of the Chimbetu siblings performing live today, including Suluman.

I have attended both Suluman and Tryson concerts where they both play Simon and Naison Chimbetu’s songs and I would be forgiven to give a nod to Tryson ahead of Suluman. Not by choice, but this comes out of their stage performance, the tightness of the dendera sound and above all the mastering of vocals.

On Saturday night I witnessed a true dendera and was convinced that given time the young musician will surpass expectations, and indeed get to super class. Tryson has borrowed everything from Simon and Naison and packaged it to his advantage. He sings their songs so well and considering that the duo’s repertoire runs into hundreds of songs, he is always spoilt for choice.

The chopper dance, the whistle and stage presence will make Suluman’s fans get worried. Questions abound during Tryson’s performance in which audiences argued on who was the best dendera musician, Tryson or Suluman. While most of the people said the Nama award-winning Suluman was popular, due to having publicised his work earlier and having capitalised on his father, Simon’s popularity over Tryson’s father, Naison, the scale seems to be tipping in favour of Tryson. 

Paying tribute to fallen music heroes, Tryson said he was thankful to Simon and Naison for working so hard, the result of the life he was enjoying now. He observed a minute of silence for them. But already there is a rift between Tryson and Suluman in which the latter is demanding that Tryson stops playing Simon’s songs.

It would be a difficult task for Suluman to stop Tryson from playing Chopper’s songs, because some of them were composed by Naison. And the idea that Marxist Brothers comprised Simon and Naison would complicate things and throw away Suluman’s argument. The best is for Suluman to prove he is the better dendera something that only the audience can judge.

Back at Holly’s Hotel, Peter and his Utakataka outfit still command the support as witnessed by the wild cheers that greeted the band’s arrival on stage. A lot has changed for the young Igwe including his stage performance which I think is quite a plus. The Igwe, unlike in the past has seen favour in dancing and he can do that very well.

Peter has done the noble thing by joining his five dancers in the spectacular dances that are a favourite of many. And his father, Tongai’s fans are still supporting the young musician as witnessed by the crowd singing-along throughout his performance. The fans, packed at Holly’s Hotel’s performance hall were quite a marvel to watch as they exhibited some fantastic dances, most sexually explicit.

Tongai’s legion of fans, the women, have fallen in love with the young Igwe and Saturday night saw an influx of young babes dressed in mini-skirts and giving it all on the dance floor. The return of Holly’s Hotel to promoting mainstream music is a welcome move as witnessed by the hundreds that thronged the venue, bordering the central business area and Mbare.

The venue comprising an open and spacious auditorium, bars and accommodation facilities will be popular even for seasoned musicians as it boasts of a big stage. Outside the venue, one was greeted by braai smoke, setting a tasty night and a boogie dance! (DailyNews)