HARARE - THERE is one interesting observation that I have made over the years whenever we host album launches and other showbiz gatherings ? the presence of guests.
And I would like to mention in particular ndendera musician Suluman Chimbetu whom I have seen gracing most of these showbiz events.
Almost all the album launches we have held at City Sports Bar in Harare, Suluman has been the only noticeable personality gracing the event.
Never mind who the artiste is, big or small, Suluman is always around to cheer up the occasion.
I am not sure why other artists love him to grace their events, but one thing for sure which I think they have discovered is that Suluman always attends when invited.
In gracing such events, the dendera heir has made a mark on the showbiz circuit and just recently when we were putting up final touches to a dancehall gig, we asked the dancehall musicians present whom they wanted as their guest ? they all said Suluman.
I have also witnessed something about Suluman, because apart from gracing these many album launches that also take place in other venues, he pops in when other musicians are performing.
And Suluman is an all-rounder and whenever he visits such shows, he jumps onto the stage and duets on a song or two.
The trend to join other musicians during the shows has spread wide and it is being done by several other musicians.
Suluman has featured superstar musician Oliver Mtukudzi on his song Kwedu.
He has also featured Jah Prayzah on the Batai Munhu lyrics from Sean Timba which has become a slogan.
Suluman and Prayzah have even gone further with their collaboration as they now hold joint concerts, something music promoters have embraced.
Jean Masters, who has benefitted a lot from partnering Suluman during his concerts, has also featured the dendera star on his song Chipo Changu.
Ever since her father died a few years ago, Jean has been under the care of Suluman whose father Simon happened to be a friend of the late J Masters.
That bond saw Jean performing as a curtain raiser for Suluman for the better part of her starring years.
Rhumba outfit Diamond Musica also did a duet for their recent album Amai.
Produced and arranged by Shaka Zulu, the album features four Shona songs including a duet with Suluman while the other four were sung in KiSwahili.
Suluman is also an ambassador of charities and represented Zimbabwe during an overseas carnival.
Artist for Democracy Zimbabwe Trust, ADZT also launched a peace album, Moyo Munyoro as part of the Zimbabwe Peace Caravan Project.
The collaboration album, Moyo Munyoro comprises music stars Suluman, Chiwoniso Maraire, Jah Prayzah and Edith WeUtonga.
Since the death of his father in 2005, Suluman has worked hard and managed to rekindle the Dendera Kings’ legacy.
Born in 1972, Suluman had other ideas as he grew up, initially wanting to become a nurse, then joining the Airforce of Zimbabwe which he eventually quit to concentrate on music.
He formed his first band, Young Dendera, in 2005 and slowly began collaborations with his father, joining him on stage.
After the death of his father, Suluman, joined Allan Chimbetu, his uncle but their marriage did not last long.
Suluman turned solo and continued to use his father backing band, Dendera Kings thereby keeping the dendera sound intact.
He went on to release his debut album, Ndomusiya Nani which earned him a National Arts Merit Award (Nama) in 2008.
Since then he has not looked back and has released the album, Reverse Deal.
In 2012 Suluman released the controversial hit song, Sean Timba off the album Syllabus in which he blasts music pirates who have taken over the market reproducing illegal music CDs they sell on streets corners cheaply.
Syllabus (2012) is Suluman’s fourth album.
His second album, Reverse Deal won the, Nama 2009 “Outstanding Award”.
*Chinoperekwei is a showbiz promoter.