ZANU PF-ALIGNED Economic Empowerment Group (EEG) yesterday said the music of Zimdancehall artiste Wallace Chirumiko, popularly known as Winky D, should be banned for being anti-government.
Winky D has been trending since the launch of his new album Eureka on New Year’s Eve.
Addressing journalists in Harare, EEG secretary-general Clifford Hlupeko said the content in his latest offering, Eureka, was anti-government.
“We note with great concern, the lyrics in Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D’s recent album launch which is full of derogatory stuff. Musicians should sing songs that build and unite, not to be retrogressive. Most of the content is meant to sow seeds of despondency and anarchy to the youth population,” Hlupeko said.
“He should be very clear if he has traded his artistic jacket with politics because we don’t know now. If he is now into politics, we need to know because most of the stuff he is singing is political jargon. It is clear that the intention is to cause chaos.”
He said they would engage the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) to have Winky D’s music banned.
Keep Reading
- Religion: Overcoming doubt and unbelief
- Winky D dominates Trevor’s In Conversation
- Religion: Overcoming doubt and unbelief
- Winky D dominates Trevor’s In Conversation
“In light of this, the responsible authority which includes NACZ, the censorship board should clear songs before they go public. It’s either these bodies are sleeping on duty or not doing their job when we hear such music being played. They should really up their game,” he said.
This is not the first time Winky D’s music has caused ructions within Zanu PF.
The build-up to famed Winky D’s Njema album launch on New Year’s Eve in 2019 was a dramatic affair that kept many, particularly his legion of fans, on the edge wondering if it was even going to happen.
In the thick of things was his manager Jonathan Banda, who had to weather the storm and steer the ship in the right direction.
Banda was reportedly summoned by the Zimbabwe Republic Police CID Law and Order at Harare Central Police Station for a “consultative meeting” with regards the Njema album.
“A consultative meeting was held with Winky D’s manager Banda after the Censorship Board raised a complaint about his failure to follow necessary procedures according so Section 16 of the Censorship Board and Entertainment Control Act,” police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was quoted as having said.
“The procedure gives the musician a legal document that will not disturb the launching of his album, hence, it was resolved that the manager would follow the procedure ahead of the launch.
“The complaint raised by the Censorship Board came after members of the public approached them over some of the lyrics they claim are in a bad taste for public consumption.”