Oskid, Munya Viya tussle for prowess

Standard Style
Many music producers have come and gone but there is perhaps Harare’s finest duo in the world of music production — Dj Oskid and Munya Viya.

Many music producers have come and gone but there is perhaps Harare’s finest duo in the world of music production — Dj Oskid and Munya Viya.

Simbarashe Manhango

Although the two operate from different musical stables, they are undoubtedly the talk of the town.

Munya Viya
Munya Viya

They continue to hog the limelight, outweighing any rivalry from great producers who came before them, grinding out better products.

The tussle for greatness continues and is not yet over, as the two are billed for another head-to-head clash for the Best Producer accolade at the Zimbabwe Music Awards.

Oskid and Viya have indeed inscribed their names and signatures in the local music discography.

Oskid familiarised Kenako Muzik through his work with different artistes.

He has the midas touch behind some of Killer T’s tracks off the album Ngoma Ndaimba, which dominated the airwaves last year.

Ngoma Ndaimba was voted Album of the Year, while Oskid walked away with an accolade for Best Producer of the Year ahead of Viya at the previous edition of the Star FM People’s Choice Awards. Even Winky D’s song, Disappear that is enjoying a new dawn internationally, after scoring a BBC Extra 1 slot, sitting on top position, is an Oskid creation.

It was also nominated for an accolade at the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) held yesterday and could perhaps cash big at the forthcoming Zima.

Oskid toiled with the finest entertainers, hence he enjoyed a good year.

Viya on the other hand, is the vivid effort behind Jah Prayzah’s award-winning album, Jerusarema that earned the Eriza hit-maker two gongs last year.

His versatility inspired a conceivably well-deserved Jah Prayzah accolades for the Most influential Artiste Under 40 and Artiste of the Year at the same awards ceremony.

Both Oskid and Viya yesterday tussled for prowess as three artistes from their respective stables — Winky D, Killer T and Jah Prayzah — were battling for Nama honours in three similar categories.

Mathias Bangure, Mafriqmusicfactory manager spoke glowingly of the two and said they deserved respect in their trades, hence it was difficult to make a comparison of the two since they specialised in different genres.

“Both producers enjoyed a fair share of success in the production industry and their works are slightly different,” Bangure said.

“Viya has been good with many sungura musicians and even Jah Prayzah whom he produced for. On the other hand, Oskid dealt with more dancehall artistes, of which they all have the capacity to excel in different styles.”

Trendy producer, Shayzar Zimhanyi said, “I think Oskid had a great year, because he worked with different artistes. He managed to make different great songs with different artistes, coming from a small city in Midlands which just makes him a proud chap.

“Viya is the biggest brand. It is awesome how Jah Prayzah has gone from bottom to top and how his music quality has changed and improved. It is all attributed to the hand of the producer. I feel the connection and that he has an experienced hand in the art,” he said.

Journalist, Shayne Makanjera said, “For me, Oskid is the man because his productions dominated airwaves and he had many productions, including Dobba Don, Winky D, Killer T and many more. Viya, however, apart from Jah Prayzah, Sulu and Tocky Vibes, he worked on less hits than Oskid,” he said.