MOREBLESSING MARANGE
Winky D, born Wallace C h i r i m u k o , is one artiste who attracts attention whether he says anything or nothing.
Like most Zimbabwean musicians, the ZimDancehall artiste may be talented in what he does but one thing that stands out is how his music attracts all sorts of interpretations, most of it wrong.
And while the year 2022 was almost ending on the quiet side in the music scene, Winky D made sure everyone got talking and indeed, everyone got talking into the new year.
From socialite and maverick churchman Passion Java to controversial Chillspot DJ Fantan and the Economic Empowerment Group (EEG, Zanu PF, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and the ordinary people, Winky D found his music all over social media, setting the streets abuzz in the process.
Java, known for driving around in state-of-the-art vehicles and dishing out money to people, threatened to hack Winky D’s social media sites alleging he was the “Mbinga” that has lost its touch and fell from grace as stated in one of the songs, Shaker that the musician did with Enzo Ishall.
DJ Fantan joined Hip-Hop artiste Holy 10 in alleging that Winky D used young musicians for his political agenda that he was paid to do but in all the hullabaloo, there has been an outpour of love for the talented Kambuzuma-born musician.
He has found love from across the political divide with Zanu PF Director of Information and Publicity Tafadzwa Mugwadi telling Business Times that artistes should be allowed to express themselves in a creative manner without politicising their music.
“The party, like its government, supports year-round artistic expression in all of its forms because our democracy allows for it, and to do so freely and without fear of any kind,” Mugwadi said.
“The Second Republic is indeed built on the pillars of tolerance, respect, and love. The ruling party will always respect all artists and has always stretched its arms open to work with artists of various persuasions to drive Zimbabwe’s heritage and cultural interests and put them on the global map.”
The album carries songs that feature Enzo Ishall, Holy 10, SaintFloew, Tocky Vibes, Nutty O, Anita Jackson and Killer T.
Music expert Plot Mhako said Zimdancehall musicians must be allowed to be creative.
“In terms of (alleged) political comments in the album, I think the artist has an artistic license that allows them to speak on anything and we have had these experiences from the time of the liberation struggle up to now,” Mhako told Business Times.
“The comments we have seen on social media vindicate the album, proving that it’s a masterpiece with brilliant production that unites different genres and connects to the future,” he added.
“The album mirrors the society that we leave in and the issues that Winky D touches on are the ones that are pressing and that is why we see this kind of reaction.”
Several people have taken to social media to hail Winky D as King of Zimdancehall while those that dare attack him have been subjected to attacks and becoming a butt of jokes.
This is not the first time Winky D has come under siege for alleged political undertones in his music.
In December 2018, the ZimDancehall star was attacked in Kwekwe by suspected political assailants unhappy over his song titled Jecha which was also misconstrued to carry a political message.
He was attacked and forced off the stage abandoning his show at the King Solomon’s Lifestyle Café in Midlands City.
In May last year, police officers disrupted Winky D on stage at the Castle Lager’s Tankard show in Borrowdale.
The interpretation of music along political grounds is not new to Zimbabwe.
Several musicians have had their song banned on national radio amid claims of political connotations and they include the legendary ZORA music founder Leonard Zhakata, Chimurenga music guru, Thomas Mapfumo and the late Oliver Mtukudzi among others.
