Chibuku Road to Fame to light up Harare

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) marketing and communications manager, Donald Chidoori, told The Financial Gazette, that 10 groups from, in and around, Harare will battle it out for a place to the finals to be held on September 25 at the usual venue, the Glamis Stadium, in the capital.
The Chibuku Road to Fame is a collaboration between the NACZ and Chibuku and is aimed at identifying talent and give the aspiring artistes an opportunity to have their music recorded.
Last year’s winners, Harare-based Bopoma Stars, have already launched their debut album, Paucheneka.
The album features the songs Password (Paucheneka), Waka-zvipira, Sorry, Chouviri and Vakadyirwa KaPay.
Robson “Compressor” Macho-na a.k.a Bishop is the band’s lead vocalist. Backing vocals by Ngoni “Muchuti” Chivandani, Cephas “Tsano” Ndemera and Machona who wrote and composed all the songs.
The finals will see 10 groups, one from each province, fighting for a recording contract with a leading company and US$3 000 prize money.
The second winner will get US$2 000 and the third US$1 000.
Chidoori said there would be a guest artiste who was yet to be confirmed.
Six provinces have so far held finals and are now waiting for the national finals. From Masho-naland East, Club Shanga came out tops and will be representing the province at the Glamis Stadium. Club Shanga are enjoying some successes and will be hoping to continue the streak as they won the Music Crossroads contest over the weekend.
Tauyanadzo Sound Blasters will be representing Matabeleland North and Bulawayo will be represented by African Tribe.
Finalists for other provinces had not been confirmed by the time of going to press.
Three other provinces are yet to hold their finals. Manicaland, Midlands and Masvingo will be hoping to hold their finals on July 17, 24 and 31 respectively.
“The cream of Harare will be competing for the honours to break into this sector and probably become the (Alick) Machesos of this country,” punned Chidoori.
Chibuku Road to Fame has become a springboard for up and coming artistes in the country giving them the much-needed platform to be seen and launching their careers.
Some of the names that have passed through the Chibuku Road to Fame window include the Chinhoyi-based Xtra waLembe, which has recorded two albums.
The annual event at the Glamis Stadium has become an exciting annual musical festival which draws huge crowds from near and far as people gather to witness talent from the various provinces of the country.
Chibuku Road to Fame has been running for about 10 years now.