The 6th Shoko festival has come and gone but memories from the defiant festival will linger on for longer. Probably the biggest Shoko yet, the festival presented an array of activities from international to local musicians, social innovators, comedians and dancers.
The festival which ran for three days in Harare and ended in Chitungwiza with the “Peace in the hood” concert that took place at a time when many other festivals that failed to take off this year owing to harsh economic conditions.
Speaking to Zimb0 Jam an elate festival coordinator Natalie Kombe said, “Shoko 2016 was an amazing edition with stellar performances from all the artists and responsive crowds. It was our biggest edition yet and it certainly did ‘Come Alive’. We look forward to the festival continuing to grow and many bigger editions”
Here are some Shoko moments
AKA
The South African hip hop maestro deserved to be one of the festival main acts as he did not disappoint. He gave a well-polished set that saw the packed venue reverberating with sing-alongs to his music. AKA who had the Zimbabwean flag wrapped around his neck synonymous with popular protest pastor Evan Mawarire’s #thisflag campaign took time to dedicate a song to the troubled nation reassuring the citizens that a new day will come. Later after his performance AKA and his band could be seen in the audience dancing to Winky’s music.
Winky D
The dancehall king, clad in a new black and silver glittered costume, re-affirmed his title claim with a charged performance which did not dampen the mood set by who performed just before him. The most impressive moment came when Winky D requested his loyal fans to be quiet and listen to the lyrics of his new song 25 which is likely going to be a favorite.
Jah Prayzah
Overwhelmed by emotion, the lanky talented musician dropped some tears as he performed the opening song to his set. The audience went into a wild frenzy when he performed his hit song “Watora mari” which features Diamond Platnum of Tanzania but this time had his longest serving band member Kudakwashe Masango fitting perfectly into Diamond’s shoes. Debuting at Shoko Festival, Jah Prayzah managed to get people of all races dancing to his music in a rare fete.
Ammara Brown
The Brown legacy and magic charmed everyone who attended her Shoko show. The “mukoko” queen joined on stage by her sister Chengeto saw her late father Andy Brown resurrecting as the duo performed Mawere Kongongnya which aroused deep emotions and sent the band and audience into a trance.
Donovan Goliath
A well informed, quick-witted comedian who left Harare in stitches with his rib cracking jokes that touched on his experience of growing up in South Africa as a mixed race kid, the politics of Mzansi and the Sir Wicknells of Zimbabwe.
Gonyeti
The P.O. Box protégé’s career took off at Shoko! The only female comedian at the festival bravely took to the stage with jokes pregnant with humor and burning current affairs. She left no sacred cows in her way as she seized every opportunity to give Zimbabweans some comic relief. Samantha Kureya intelligently fused music that connected to her jokes in a way that impressed the audience. She will be remembered for breaking new ground for women in Zimbabwe.
Simba Tagz & Tehn Diamond
Hip Hop in Zimbabwe is not dead! This is was the statement written on stage by the duo who dropped some of their hit songs and sampled some of their new offerings.
Madzitatiguru
His powerful wordplay won him the hearts of many and saw the judges of the House of hunger Poetry Slam awarding him first prize in the tightly contested competition.
Ti Gonzi
Despite a foiled attempt by one Dash to manhandle the “hipu hopu yekuGhetto” artist for allegedly dissing him on radio, the Zvenyu hit maker had a good day office as he delivered powerful consciously charged lyrics that addressed prevailing socio-economic ills affecting the country.
Dobba Don
Un-containable energy! That’s the best way to describe the Mufakose based dancehall artist. He left his fans clamoring for more.
Mk Hombakadzi
Despite the low representation of women at the festival Mercy Kaminyu aka MK Hombakadzi a hip hop artist from Mutare who was no stranger to the festival as she once performed in 2013 stood up for many female voices.
The Circuit
A rare collaboration featuring DJ Dawee a German Reggae/Dancehall disc jockey and chanter, Saxophonist Vee Mukarati, DJ Nize (JoBurg SA), Kevin “Dice Gamble” Matutu and Harare’s finest “Turntablist”, Dj Trickx gave a performance whose echo will forever be heard from the festival space.
Sharky
A few local hip hop artists perform with a live band but for the Soko Matemai singer the attempt was worth it. Filled with ambition and zeal, Sharky gave the festival more reason to include upcoming artists into next year’s programs.
Jibilika – Battle of the crews
Peace in the Hood concert in Chitungwiza presented a chance for dancers mainly from the town to showcase and celebrate life through dance. Several crews took turns to entertain and outwit each other in a predominantly dancehall dance showcase.