Harare — Last week on Friday was a grand day for young Leonard Mapfumo who launched his latest album, "The Journey", in Harare.

Leonard without doubt is one of the most consistent and level-headed musicians on the local scene and it feels good to see his career shaping up so well. The Eastlea bacchanal featured the who's who in the local urban grooves scene and what a stylish performance we also got from Leonard Mapfumo at the launch.

However, the blot on the day had to be the apparent snub of the launch from fellow urban groovers especially those featured on the album. Trevor Dongo who is riding high with his latest album was conspicuous by his absence as well as Sanii Makhalima, Jay Boss and Junior Brown.

But songbird Tererai Mugwadi proved a true friend indeed as she was one of the few people featured on The Journey to grace the occasion. According to sources, some of the musicians who the album launch felt he was getting too big headed and was proclaiming himself as the new king of local hip-hop.

The album was launched under the Heshi Mfeshi label, which also happens to be the idea of Joe Machingauta who is slowly but surely proving to be a competent impresario. Machingauta said they would distributing and selling the album on their own as they have been "ripped off" several times by other record labels.

Also a DVD album is in the offing and its just a matter of time before they shall be releasing it locally, regionally and internationally. "We have forged several partnerships with some foreign guys who shall be responsible for the marketing of thew album," said Machungauta.

Meanwhile, the vote of confidence in Zimbabwe keeps growing and what a sight it was at the Harare International Airport on Monday when dancehall singers Brick and Lace touched down for a show in the country.

The two sisters who are signed to Akon's Convict Music label are the latest in a long list of superstars to visit Zimbabwe despite the negative publicity from the international media. Red Rat I also understand will be making a sojourn later this year to our beautiful country with a host of other UK-based Yardies.

Red Rat is also working with emerging local forces K-Squad on a song titled Like The Way You Dance which is being produced by none other than Jusa Dementor. According to K-Squad rapper Suave their collaboration with Red Rat is just a tip of the iceberg and they shall be working with other dancehall figures including Sizzla Kalonji and hopefully King Shango when he visits the country in October. The visiting Brick and Lace are a Jamaican R&B reggaeton musical duo consisting of Thorbourne sisters Nyanda and Nailah.

Originally Brick & Lace consisted of three sisters Nyanda, Nailah, and Tasha Thorbourne. Tasha left the group, but she continues to work behind the scenes and co-write songs for her sisters Brick and Lace were signed by Akon to his record label, and it seems they have a soft spot for Africa having been to Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.

Their debut album, Love Is Wicked, and spawned four singles, Get That Clear (Hold Up), Never, Never, Love is Wicked and Take Me Back.

In 2008, the after-effects of their first album hit and the sisters went busily on many tours for the year, most notably in Europe and Africa by popular demand, and also produced a few new songs such as Cry On Me and Bad to di Bone.

In the year 2009, Brick and Lace released their latest single called Bad to di Bone which became a well-known track in European and African countries.

A French collaboration was even presented hence popularity. This new single was intentionally pinned out to appear on a new upcoming album, but instead was re-based on Love is Wicked, which was re-released for a second shot at fame and success.

Starting off the year 2010 with releasing four new songs in March, the Brick and Lace Summer 2010 European Tour was soon announced straight after.

Brick & Lace represents the dual diversity of the every day woman - Brick representing the edgy, hard and roots side while Lace represents the soft, understanding and melodious side of the woman. Nyanda is said to be the Brick due to her style of singing and Jamaican rapping and Nailah is said to be the Lace due to her style of harmonious, R&B slant.