We are used to the 2024 shutdown show coming at the end of December, but it came last Saturday, November 30. How did this happen? Was this meant to be an early Christmas treat from Mukudzei Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah (pictured)?
I am told there was a bit of politics involved. Winky D had booked the venue HICC as early as January 2024, but some big businessman linked to Zanu PF bulldozed his way into making sure that instead of Winky D, Everton Mlalazi, some gospel musician, will do the end of year/ New Year’s Eve honours.
That aside, besides this confusion, there must have been a scream of joy between Jah Prayzah and Gateway Stream Media as they successfully held an emotional and triumphant full capacity show at the 4 500 seater HICC last weekend.
Jah Prayzah brought the house down. It was electric!
A statement from Elton Kurima of Gateway Stream Media read: “By hosting the event at the end of November, we aim to build anticipation for the festive season. Fans can expect an unforgettable evening filled with incredible performances.” Indeed, that is what happened.
Before the superstar went on stage just after midnight, five popular Zimbabwean acts namely Feli Nandi, Freeman, Tocky Vibes, Killer T and Master H entertained fans with splendid acts.
Killer T, with his latest hit Kana Ndanyura, mesmerised the audience, while Tocky Vibes sang hits from his latest 50-track album.
Master H also came and delivered. Feli Nandi was the only female artiste in the line-up, but she gave her best.
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Feli Nandi (real name Felistus Chipendo), who used to be a backing vocalist for Mbeu and Mhodzi Tribe, released the singles: Ndega Ndada, Hazvineyi, Ndibateiwo and Mufudzi We Mombe before her debut album simply titled Feli Nandi gave a magical performance as she thrilled punters in the 100% full venue.
It seemed like the support acts were out to outdo each other. I loved the energy and moves of all these support acts on stage. It was fantastic, but the best was still yet to come.
Enter Jah Prayzah, dressed to kill. As he walks to the stage, donned in a loose sequinned outfit which catches the light and makes his white shoes shimmer, he strides along among the ululations and screams from the crowd.
The reaction from the auditorium is ecstatic. He delves into the song: Wandakada, which goes something like this:
Wandakada Kubvira zuva rekutanga
Chaingova chiro chimweni mweni chandaikumbira
Kuti dai zvaibvira
Wangondidawo ndaita mavarawo
Pane mumwe chete pane zinyekenyeke
Pane vavairi paita musungo
Kana ukandiramba zvaramba
Asi ziva kuti ndaidawo
Svusvura ndadya kana zvikanaka
Uri mhodzi yechingwa kana zvikanaka
Tichasesedzana kana zvikanaka
Uchave wangu kana zvikanaka
I am surprised to notice that the fans standing at the front of the auditorium sing along word for word to the sound coming from Jah Prayzah and his Third Generation Band.
Jah then immediately swings to the familiar hit — Furuwa Furuwa (originally composed by Tairos Tendaupenyu), which the crowd knows well and also sings word-for-word.
He then builds an immediately feverish energy, his dancers and the band creating the atmosphere of carnival which his songs speak to.
His female backing singers complement Jah Prayzah’s signature baritone texture, providing intricate, gorgeous moments of vocal layering particularly as he sings Chengetedza.
Like a possessed man in a frency, he goes into Ndini Ndamubata (a song he collaborated with ExQ, who was conspicuous by his absence). He then picks up his mbira and starts plucking it while jumping from one end of the stage to the other.
Jah Prayzah is electrifying, running the course of the stage, carrying and dancing with his mbira as if it’s a beautiful woman.
You do get the sense that it’s a more stripped-down production even though he still dances like a possessed man. Those familiar with Jah Prayzah’s shows will be aware of the extravaganza he typically puts on.
Some truly beautiful moments are made on stage. Most of the fans in the crowd know his songs. He gets the crowd to sing with him, and jumps around waving his arms in jubilation. Here, the force of his discography is laid bare, as is his genuine love of performing and ability to command a crowd.
Indeed, it was exhilarating as he and his band members showed off their well-choreographed and well-rehearsed dance routines. Fans were elated beyond description. It was mesmerising, I could barely take my eyes off the stage literally. So many people were screaming and desperately trying to get at Jah.
One fan, who seemed possessed by Jah’s music tried to get onto the stage and Jah’s bodyguards had a hard time getting her to remain on the floor. She fought hard to get to Jah Prayzah as if he belonged to her. I had never seen anything like it.
Jah’s 2024 Shutdown concert left people exhausted, completely worn out because of the energy he caused. Even when it was over, there was still so much mayhem going on with people fighting police with dogs or knocking each other out of the way trying to get a closer look at Jah as he made his way to his new white S500 4matic Mercedes-Benz vehicle which was parked close to the HICC stage. I just don’t know what more to say other than that at last I am beginning to see a genius and legend in the making. A real Zimbabwean superstar.
Closing out on popular hits, one is left thinking that the party could’ve gone on all night as he had so many songs to choose from his catalogue. These included Maita Baba, Chikomo, Miteuro, Follow me, Chiremerera, Hokoyo, Tsviriyo, Dangerous, Eriya, Munyaradzi, Gwara, Nziyo yeRudo, Dzamutsana, Mwana wa Mambo, Watora Mari and many more, but at three in the morning, it is all over. Perhaps, next time, he’ll be able to go on all night.
Jah Prayzah is definitely a superstar. He has just completed his yet to be named album which he will launch in May 2025 after his tour of Swaziland, Japan, Europe including Germany, Holland and the United Kingdom.
Jah Prayzah may be young, but he has done quite a few musicians in this country have been unable to do. He has already seen the world. He has, indeed, got his head screwed on straight. I am talking about a true success story here.
I paid him a visit at his headquarters just before the shutdown concert last Saturday. We sat under his mango tree. He was busy building his state-of-the-art recording studio at the back of his premises. This is a sign that he holds his future in music. He also writes stories as evidenced by his latest book titled Nhoroondo-A Four-Part Story which was sponsored by Nyaradzo Funeral Group. The moving story is told by Jah Prayzah and it includes music and lyrics which can be found on YouTube under Mukudzei Mukombe.
His white 2023 Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic, which he received in January 2024 as a gift from Wicknell Chivayo, was parked right in front of the studio, ready to drive him to the shutdown concert.
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