Cal_Vin shines despite power outage

A power outage on Saturday night could not dim wordsmith Cal_Vin's shine as he illuminated Elite 400 with songs from his new album as many of Bulawayo's young hip-hop artistes proved that they can hold their own on stage.

With many artistes from within and outside the city failing to pull decent crowds this year, last Saturday's launch of his Planet Vin LP at the "Made in BYO" music concert was a chance for Cal_Vin to prove the claim that he is now the biggest hip-hop act in the country.

Neither the rapper nor his fans disappointed, as a crowd of mostly young hip-hop lovers came out in their numbers to listen to joints from an album that the rapper hopes will cement his position at the apex of the Zimbabwean rap scene.

What made the attendance all the more impressive was that some fans had left after a power outage that saw some parts of the Bulawayo CBD plunged into darkness. However, the more patient fans braved the darkness and delays before the show, which had been scheduled to start at 5pm, eventually got underway.

While show organisers looked for an alternative power source, fans busied themselves with talk of what to expect once the electricity was back. Conspiracy theorists among them suggested that the ill-timed outage was ploy to sabotage the young rapper.

When the electricity came back on and the sound was fully connected, the venue exploded, as the city's artistes gave an inkling of the talent that is prospering, although largely unwatched and underappreciated, in the city's hip-hop music circles.

Seemingly boneless dancers held the crowd spellbound with their flawless moves while, one after the other with up-and-coming rappers showing they had a similarly enchanting effect as they rapped to the applause of an enthusiastic crowd.

Mzoe7 proved that he is one of the new artistes to watch from Bulawayo as he won over the crowd before he even went on stage. While some might have had reservations about an artiste that is not considered strictly hip-hop performing at a concert that was meant to celebrate the genre, Mzoe7 defied expectations when he launched into a song that drew a large part of its inspiration from the current wave of American rap music influenced hip-hop.

He followed that up with his crowd pleasing new song Chiuta, which got all those in the venue on their feet. Fellow rapper Asaph also proved why he is one of the highest rated young wordsmiths, with a short but effective set whose hallmark was the interaction between the rapper and DJ Staffa.

Cal_Vin took to the stage to give appreciative fans a taste of his new album, and with the rapper indicating that it would be his last project in a while, the crowd's reaction to his music showed that it might indeed be an excellent parting shot.

Heads nodded enthusiastically and feet shuffled as the crowd, who were ultimately the star of the show, danced the night away until the end of the album launch which felt more like victory lap.