The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Entertainment Correspondent
MUTARE-based group Eastern Riders will represent Manicaland at the Chibuku Road to Fame national finals to be held on October 5 in Harare after coming out tops in the provincial edition held last Saturday.
The group outplayed seven other outfits that participated at the tightly-contested event that saw Chipinge-based Elijah Jambaya and Wembada Band from Chikanga emerging second and third, respectively.
Eastern Riders, which is led by guitarist Lawrence Chagumachinyi received $1 500 for their efforts, while Jambaya and Wembada Band received $1 300 and $1 200, respectively.
The other finalists, for the first time in the history of the competition received $500 as participation fee.
Chagumachinyi, speaking shortly after the contest, said he was elated by the win and promised to bring the crown home on October 5.
“It was a tough contest. The whole band was at its best and I am grateful that we managed to upstage all our opponents.
“It’s a competition that taught us a lot and we are now preparing for the national competitions”.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe acting manager, Alexander Tunzi said he was excited by the high level of competition.
“All the groups performed well and all deserved to win, unfortunately there had to be one winner. We would like to congratulate Eastern Riders for coming out tops and we wish them the best as they face a bigger challenge at the national finals.
“Chibuku Road Fame is a market zone or internet-connected place to identify and scout for raw talent where we openly invite promoters, arts institutions, radio stations and industries to come and take advantage of a variety of music genres coming from various parts of Manicaland. We appreciate the support we received from arts stakeholders in Manicaland,” he said.
Ragga Manyika sensation, Assegai Crew were the guest artistes and they belted hits from their past productions.
