John Mokwetsi
8 August 2009
Harare — FABULOUS kwaito singer Chomee and regular Harare visitors, Afro pop act Malaika were at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) with their skimpily dressed dancers in tow last weekend.
Chomee -- an Arthur Mafokate's protégé -- who is envied more for her body curves than voice, was performing for the first time in Zimbabwe.
It was a show that was not impressive in its attendance probably because of its steep entrance fee of $20. It, however, made up for the deficiency with scintillating music and dances.
Chomee, synonymous with revealing outfits and outrageous dance moves did not disappoint especially her male fans.
Opening with her plug track, Jiva Sexy, Chomee had the crowd on its feet with her dances.
Then she went backstage and changed into what popular author James Hardly Chase would have called a "micro mini skirt" and an equally revealing top.
"I am here to dance and entertain Zimbabwe," she said. "You know that is how we do it eMzansi."
She then did a rendition of Vulindlela in a tribute to the late Brenda Fassie and then Madonnas' Holiday which had HICC singing along.
By the time Malaika's duo of Bongani and Tshedi came on stage, the crowd had sweat dripping.
But Malaika did not impress. Not that they did not sing well or that their dances were not well choreographed.
It was simply that their performance read like a familiar novel.
It was the same that they gave way back in 2006 in Swaziland when Standardplus attended the show at Why not, If not club in Mbabane.
It was also the same at the Harare International Festival of the Arts.
They played Destiny, 2Bob and Hoona Joale. The height of their performance was when they invited a male fan on the stage.
The fan danced suggestively with Tshedi and was even allowed to steal a kiss.
However, local acts had a lot to emulate in terms of costume design and general dress on stage.
Besides Junior Banton, the likes of Diana of the group 2BG, Edene, Felistas and Extra Large all lacked that extra edge that well designed clothes add to a performance.
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