Story by Colette Musanyera
THE 911 band from the Midlands province scooped the first prize at the just-ended Chibuku Road to Fame finale, which saw ten groups from each of the country’s provinces competing for top honours.
The Midlands-based afro-jazz outfit 911 clinched the top position at a competition held at Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare’s Highfield suburb.
Their outstanding performance earned them US$15 000.
Mashonaland Central’s High Five came second which saw them walking away US$10 000 richer, while Kwaseka band from Matabeleland North province which was 3rd, was rewarded with US$7 000 for its effort.
According to Delta Corporation’s general manager, Patricia Murambinda, the competition is meant to unearth and support new talent.
“Today, we are celebrating the 23rd edition of Chibuku Road to Fame, the programme we have supported since the year 2000. The reason why we have supported Chibuku Road to Fame for all these years, especially the upcoming artists is because we want to showcase their talent as some of them do not have the right resources to ensure they have recording contracts, so Chibuku Road to Fame has managed to get several contracts for the past 23 years. Each province had a winner so today the 10 winners have come to compete so that we obtain the national champion. The 3rd prize is valued at US$7000, the 2nd prize is US$10 000 and the 3rd prize is US$15 000 plus a recording contract. In the past 22 years, the major focus had been on Sungura music, but this year the committee sat down with the NACZ to discuss the incorporation of some of the genres that have emerged in the past 22 years and today we have seen Zim-dancehall and Hip-hop being showcased by our artistes,” said Murambinda.
Some of the country’s music stars to have emerged from Chibuku Road to Fame include Romeo Gasa, Mark and Tindo Ngwazi as well as Simon Mutambi.
