Performing Artists
ROKI
Roki was born Rockford Josphat in Madagascar in 1982. He is a Zimbabwean urban grooves artiste. His music style includes urban groove, soca, dancehall, afro-pop, house music, etc.
He grew up in Harare and dropped out of school at Form 3. In 1996 while on a bus singing with friends, Roki was heard by a local musician who invited him to provide backing vocals on the musician's song. His big break came in 2002 when he teamed up with Leonard Mapfumo, another urban grooves artist, on the song Seiko.
Then Suzanna, Roki 's solo effort followed. Another combined effort with Extra Large saw them churn out Zvakora. With Maskiri, the self-styled bad boy of Zimbabwean hip-hop, and Leonard Mapfumo, they released the song Ukanditizira. He then released Aaiyaho.
His song Chidzoka was adjudged the best song and video of the year at the 2007 Zimbabwean Music Awards. His debut album was marketed and distributed by Metro Studios and released in 2008.
Some of his songs include Chidzoka, Jordan, Zion, Ndoda, Mumwe, Suzanna, Nhliziyo.
NOISETTES
Two years on from a debut album awash with punk spirit and scorching blues-rock, London trio Noisettes make their return with Wild Young Hearts, a set of sleek pop songs steeped in soul, dizzy on disco and harking back to the days of blues and jazz greats. From the galloping funk grooves of forthcoming, first single Don’t Upset The Rhythm, to the joyous, jazzy title track, the stomping electro-rock of Saturday Night, the glorious ‘60s-tinged soul of Never Forget You and the sultry, shimmering pop of 24 Hours, in Wild Young Hearts, Noisettes have made what is set to be one of 2009’s most adventurous albums.
Never fond of a formula, the trio always intended a radical musical detour from their acclaimed debut, What’s The Time Mr Wolf?, an album that spawned five singles and took them on tour for over a year, sharing arena stages with Muse and criss-crossing the States with TV On The Radio and Bloc Party. If you can imagine a hybrid of Blondie, Ting Tings and Rihanna, you’ll begin to get an idea of how special this new record is. Vocalist Shingai Shoniwa, meanwhile, is fast becoming a style icon with the makings of a modern-day Deborah Harry.
Don’t Upset The Rhythm will be released on Vertigo on March 23rd. Already receiving considerable airplay courtesy of eager radio programmers and its sound tracking a major new advertising campaign for Mazda, which debuted over Christmas, the single has, with the rest of the album, been produced by Jim Abbiss (Adele, Arctic Monkeys).
SNIPER STORM
Sniper Storm new branding "The General ina de army" Musoja, came under the spotlight in the music industry in 2000 and featured on the hit song Tauyanaye by David Chifunyise. His debut single 'Gede' came two years later pending the release of his album "Ndakabata Mic 2009". The album which has hit songs One Room, Ndakabata Mic, Bhinya and Muno (hasvisi bho) made the man a house hold figure earning him the title "Mdara Sniper". Ndakabata Mic 2009 was the first successful hard core dancehall album which then set the standard on the local ragga scene in music production and performance.
Perfomances at National Galas around the country reminds every one of how important Sniper is in the dancehall fraternity and music industry as a whole. Sniper has performed in most venues and almost every town in Zimbabwe. As a musician, he has performed on all platforms prime and small covering all social sections of the population. Outside the borders he has staged in Capetown, Jo-Burg South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique. On stage Sniper has shared the mic with reggae guru Luciano from Jamaica, Malaika, Peach Black Afro from South Africa and big names on the local scene such as Aleck Macheso not to mention most of his urban grooves friends.
The SAMA music festival comes at a time when Sniper Storm is set another for a new chapter with "The Voice" the album that will define Quality from Quantity. This soon to be released piece of art is a cut above the best showcasing once again Snipers' versatility in song writing and production skills. Songs to lookout for are Musoja , Paradise, Chirungu, Handimude, Soddom, Dhandahead, Joy, Fat n' Sexy from the 20 track album.
SAMA watch out for DRAMA, QUALITY not QUANTITY.
DANNY
Danny is one of the most successful musicians in Zambia. The album has already gained a lot of steam on the Zambian radio charts with songs like ‘Champion’ the title track and ‘Ka Last’.
A quiet and humble young man with a serious attitude to his work and career. Over the past few years, Danny has more than established himself as one of the leading young musicians in Zambia.
Apart from being very talented and disciplined, Danny is not afraid to touch on serious topics such as homosexuality, AIDS, infidelity.
Real Name: Daniel Siulapwa
Stage Name: Danny
Age: 26
Marital Status: Single
Family and Educational Background: Born and raised in Lusaka, Danny is the last born in a family of six. After completing secondary school in 1996, he studied for a diploma in Electrical Engineering.
Musical Background: Danny first discovered his musical ability at Church, and developed his talent whilst at Secondary School. He performed at variety shows in schools and won a number of competitions.
MAFRIQ
Mafriq is a Zimbabwean urban grooves group comprised of three young individual talents, Pauline Gundidza, Lovedale Makalanga (_iscord) and Tungamirai Mavi (2nga T).
The name Mafriq means My Africa and they describe their music as music for Africa with African roots. They are all songwriters and singers in their own right. Mafriq’s album Chamhembe Volume 1 sold very well in Zimbabwe with the hit single Ndokuudza Sei?
In 2004 they won the ZIMA Award (Zimbabwe Music Awards) for most promising artist of the year. Mafriq have just completed their new 20-track album.