Jah Prayzah wows with Bulawayo album launch

Contemporary musician Jah Prayzah launched his seventh album Mdhara Vachauya before a bumper crowd on Saturday night at the Large City Hall car park in Bulawayo. On a night when fans braved the cold, Winky D showed why he is called the Ninja President with a polished performance, rapper Cal_Vin arrived late and performed one song Zikhuphani and Judgement Yard kept the show going.

Fans had waited impatiently for the Mdhara Vachauya (loosely translated as the big boss is going to come) album to launch in Bulawayo after learning that people had enjoyed each moment at the Harare launch which was oversubscribed the night before.

Jah Prayzah's arrival in the city was highly anticipated, especially considering he embarked on a road trip from Harare where he picked up fans along the way to join the party in Bulawayo. And true to his word, five buses made their way to the city loaded with fans.

After having jammed to the sounds of Judgement Yard and Winky D, crowds welcomed Jah Prayzah who took to the stage just after Cal_Vin at about 2AM. Following some minutes of tuning instruments, Jah Prayzah's band – Third Generation – started playing and Jah Prayzah's distinct voice could be heard though he was not on stage. Fans wondered where he was singing from as he was nowhere near the stage, only for a batch of women to start screaming when they spotted him walk out of a Land Rover with a mic in his hand.

He introduced the album with a teaser of the title track – Mdhara Vachauya. He mixed songs on the new album with those from previous albums like the ever popular Tsviriyo and Eriza to keep the momentum.

New tracks which proved popular were Watora Mari featuring Tanzanian Diamond Platnumz, Seke and Mdhara Vachauya, judging by the crowd's reaction. Watora Mari's music video, like at the Harare launch was played on the big screen. It was received well by the public.

After two hours of vigorous dancing, clapping and singing, a visibly exhausted Jah Prayzah who had arrived in Bulawayo at 7PM, got off stage at 3.30AM and fans started trickling out of the venue.

Earlier, Winky D had rocked the crowd with his Vigilante band. He performed hits Usarove Biggie Man, Chiramu, Ninja Saturday, Paita Party, Not Nice and Machikichori. He closed his performance with runaway hit Disappear. He left the stage in a huff with fans in the VIP area who had hoped to get pictures taken posing with him left disappointed as he ignored them.

It seemed like a hectic day for Cal_Vin who launched his latest album – Planet Vin just a stone's throw away at Elite 400 on the same night. As he performed hit Zikhuphani, some in the crowd sang along, but others did not seem to be paying attention.

Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi and comedian Clive Chigubhu were the MCs at the show and held a draw from which people won a television set, fridge and Toyota Vitz car courtesy of Pure Drop cooking oil.

The difference between the Harare and Bulawayo launches was the lineup as in Harare, Jah Prayzah shared the stage with Oliver Mtukudzi and Gary and Willom Tight. According to show organisers, Bulawayo recorded a higher attendance than Harare though tickets for the Saturday show were way cheaper than those in the capital. Jah Prayzah's latest album is available at The Chronicle offices for $1.