Me, Di BigMan Say......... Winky D a.k.

a Wallace Chirumiko was born in Zimbabwe on the 1st of February 1983 in Harares ghetto, Kabuzuma. Perhaps he was born belching melodies for as early as a precocious age of eight, Winky D was a devout collector of ragga audio tapes and vinyls. At the age of 16 he gave his first performance at the Ghetto Lane Clashes which were and still are DJ battles that showcase the best of talented and emerging Djs. It is in these battles that Winkys nimbleness in scratching vinyls that earned him the name Wicked Deejay hereto Winky D. At the Ghetto Lane Clashes, he competed against some of Zimbabwes most prolific Djs of ragga, from Alkebulani, New Generation, Shocking Vibes and Delta Force to mention but a few. As with all artistic forms of expression, the evolution of local ragga was inevitable and what was ubiquitously known as ragga had been progressively taking a new shape to an extent that it was seen to be on a on a downward spiral to near extinction (The Sunday Mail, May 2-8, 2010). The natural progression to reggae dancehall genre put Winky on a path of stardom that is so far uncontested in the African continent in this genre of music. Wink Ds lyrics took the rigour of local vernacular mixed with ghetto slang and carved out a unique place for his music and its audience. English had become too much a general tool, inept and lacking the perspicacity to translate and convey the message in a manner that resonates with the crowd. Winky Ds unique ghetto approach to afro-centric ideals and realism, although positive, gave reggaedancehall a thuggish rude boy in the hood tune that struck the right chord with the masses. It became a common trait in his music and among his detractors, revolutionising ragga to the current reggae-dancehall genre. Winky D is quintessentially a social advocate who vocalises his beliefs in social justice through his music. Born in the ghetto himself, his lyrics tell of his own experience and of his community. Winkys music speaks of human toil in the ghetto and failed socio-economic systems that perpetuate social injustice even further. In the lyrics of Dem Nah Care single he says them dont even care if were live or diethey dont care if we smile or we cryThem never care we go for days without a mealBut know we strong we no thief we never steal For more than 20years my mother work in the fields to bring the best for the family that was the dealNo electricity but still we pay the billWe cant afford to buy no basic commodity coz nothing here is basiceverything is luxury. To him, the ghetto is a living creature that preys on souls, the downtrodden who must have an exceptional will to survive, least perseverance unlike the average and well-to-do urban elite. Winky D is a conscientious social vocalist, a storyteller who speaks about the everyday life in the ghetto, the mundane that we see as a norm from afar. In a nutshell, he is a Devotee (first album) of social change and justice and his music is evidence of solidarity with his community. Wink Ds music is rough and rugged in nature and although not fully fledged to vulgarism,

it borders between uncensored self- expression and honesty and to that extent it can be controversial.

Inimitable in style, lyrical skills and showmanship, Di BigMan as he is affectionately called, shared a stage with the worlds renowned afro-jazz musician Salif Keita The Mansa. In his closing act before the draw of the curtain, Winky D gave a memorable performance at HIFA (Harare International Festival of Arts) leaving his invidious archrivals with a lesson or two to digest. His international tours include South Africa where he performed in Cape Town and Johannesburg. During the 2010 Coca Cola World Cup Tour, Di BigMan performed in solo and also collaborated with Knaan. In international shows he has shared the stage with Beenie Man, Sean Paul & Akon. In the United Kingdom, he gave astounding performances in Manchester, Luton and London. Red Rat, a Jamaican international artist featured Winky D in his single Rise Up Zimbabwe. In the United States he featured in the US Top DJ -Triple EXE Pure Winery 9 Mixtape. Vanhu Vakuru, under the BlackLab Records, his label from day one and up to his inaugural appearance in the international music scene, was just as enviable an achievement. Released in 2008, in this third album the track Rokesheni (Loxion) became Zims alternate national anthem, enjoying officialdom in the top 100 chart where it entered at third position. It is also the only track performed by a local artist that has made it in the top ten. Jammin on, in 2009 Winky D released two albums simultaneously, Chatsva and Com 2 Tek Ova. Zvimoko Zvevanhu (Other peoples Girls) and Mabhebi ekusabhabha (Girls Uptown) from Chatsva were in the top ten of the top the 20 in local charts for over 13 weeks. Winky Ds recent release in 2010, again under BlackLab Records is IGOFIGO (Mixed Tape); named after a ghetto term meaning a fiery psych that promises a baptism of fire to who ever cometh. Again, here English fails us.