By Lowen Mutambara
Zimdancehall musician and radio personality Ngoni Machingura, aka DJ Smylie, is mulling over establishing an exclusively dancehall recording studio in Dubai as he seeks to promote the genre in the Emirates.
DJ Smylie, who is based in Dubai, said Zimdancehall was playing second fiddle to other African genres in the western Asian country, which has prompted him to come up with a studio to record music for upcoming artistes.
‘’I have plans to have a studio for dancehall artistes in Dubai and I want to establish the dancehall culture here,” DJ Smylie told Standard Style.
“People in Dubai are used to Afrobeats, which is mostly done by Nigerians, so I want to establish a studio to accommodate Zimdancehall artistes in Dubai.”
Famed for his trademark chant “Usadaro” on radio, DJ Smylie challenged Zimdancehall artistes to sing for the international market and engage managers who develop their brands.
“Zimdancehall is failing to penetrate the international market because the artistes package their music with only the locals in their minds,” he said.
“They should be known internationally and hire reputable managers who can help in branding and marketing their music globally.”
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DJ Smylie said there was need for Zimdancehall artistes to unite and promote their genre rather than engage in unnecessary fights.
“We cannot say that the genre was started by certain individuals that’s a lie, but everyone contributed towards the creation of the genre. The likes of Winky D, Potato, King Labash and Sniper Storm all contributed towards the growth of the genre,” he said.
The wheelspinner-cum-musician is in the country for a couple of weeks and plans to hold a big gig before he leaves for the Emirates.
“Right now I am in the country for a couple of weeks and I will host a gig and meet with some artistes and my fans,” he said.
DJ Smylie moved to the United Kingdom where he stayed for five years and interacted with Jamaicans which made him fluent in Jamaican Patois.
