By Lloyd Rabaya
Jackets unzipped, whistles and applause filling up the air, and phones lighting up the Harare International Conference Center (HICC) as the temperature heated with musicians delivering hits back to back at the City to City Tour over the weekend. It was indeed a night to remember for the lively crowd.
The line-up was carefully picked with big artists like Freeman HKD, Tamy Moyo, Killer T, Enzo Ishall, Nisha Ts and Chillmaster. Sing-alongs buzzed into the night.
The energetic Tamy Moyo opened the night with her blend of song and enticing dance. She delivered an immaculate performance soothing fans, as the show had started about two hours late. Tamy set the tone with songs like Husiku hwese and Ndokwatoenda.
Fans were thrilled when Tamy pulled a surprise: bringing out rising comedy star, Tiinashe Fortune on stage to help her perfom the song she featured ZimDancehall artist, Silent Killer.
Enzo Ishall, proved why he is dubbed the Stallion, as he ran the whole performance with nothing but hits, and commandeered fans to switch on their flashlights, mid his already lit performance. He proved why he was part of the roaster, as he gave a concoction of ZimDancehall, Jiti and some traditional anthems like Amai Naume.
Fans went wild when he fused his hit song, Tiza with Baba Harare’s Ahee, which somehow have a similar tempo. One of the highlights was when he ordered fans to hold each other before he performed another hit song, Masahwira.
Enzo also perfomed his latest offering, Tsinga dzinoyera and Zviri nani ufe shamwari, other tracks including yesteryear hits like Kanjiva, Vakamhanya makarimwa, Uri kutsvireiko, Handirare kuden kwenyu futi and Baby rako raroorwa. He delivered hits as he drove fans crazy into the midnight.
Despite racing against time, Nisha Ts held the crowd in her palm. She steadily performed hits like Wakatodyiwa ipapa, Shampopo, among others, until she brought out her fellow Nash Studios counterparts, Saintfloew and Ninety6. With Saintfloew, they performed Kutsamwa kune labor before he also performed for a few minutes.
Nisha and Ninety6 did their song Madhunamutuna, before she performed the fan-favorite, Admire Kadembo. She left the stage with some fans in the terraces clamoring for her to come back.
The overly energetic General Aladdin, Master H was to perform before the HKD Boss, Freeman. The spontaneous connection he showcased with his band, The Bottom Camp, was on a different level.
With his peppy and sometimes mellow voice, he had a mixed collection for the night, with sorrowful songs, inspirational and upbeat jams. He performed songs like Zvirimo Mumoyo, which swallowed fans into an emotional state, yesteryear anthem, Dhanzi, Bviravira among other hits.
He also performed his recent track, which he featured Jamaican reggae legend, Capleton, Dancehall Time. While leaving the stage, he left fans asking for more.
With the HKD Band setting up their instruments, fans already knew that they were set to go wild. Merciless and KVG did an impeccable job warming the stage before the HKD Boss came out. He hit the stage with the 2021 song off Robbery album, Gomba and fans had already started singing along.
Though he has a huge catalogue, spanning over 20 years, the Dancehall Doctor carefully selected fan-favorite songs and injected them with a lasting memory. With a mixed bag with songs about love, social issues, heartbreak and everyday life, Freeman HKD led fans into various realms.
The highlight was when he performed yesteryear hit song, Usandisiye, an emotional love song pleading with a partner not to leave. Singing the song word-for-word with sobby voices, some fans were driven into an emotional state.
Despite having restricted time, Freeman and the HKD Band delivered a flawless performance. They performed songs like Rangarira, with the HKD Queen- Daruler, Big life, Ngaibake, among other hit songs.
After the HKD Boss, some fans started leaving.
The Godfather, Templeman and his DJ, Tanaman entertained fans before the Chairman, Killer T’s entrance.
Though some fans believed he hurriedly moved to the next song, Killer T and the Hot Property Band set the stage on fire. He proved why he is one of the biggest artists in the country.
Also, with some dance, Chairman and his band left fans with songs like Nhema, Hondo, Kwauri kure, Bvunza tinzwe, Handigumbuke, among other songs.
Before leaving the stage, Killer T pleaded with the crowd to wait for the closing act, Chillmaster as some were already leaving.
The young sensation poured his heart into every note as he serenaded fans with his hits. With his catalogue that blends elements of pop, Dancehall and Afrobeats, Chillmaster left fans asking for more.
He sang songs with themes from love, heartbreak, and life struggles. The fans were thrilled by his hit songs including fan-favorite heartbreak song, Makanaka, Kudiwa Chaizvo, Mpaka, Horror, Hapasi kuda nharo, Merry go round, and Dai tangosiyana nazvo.
Despite starting a bit late, the show was indeed a not-to-be-missed.