Musician and dancer Oriyano, celebrated for his hits Ndakuda and Makarima Mupoto, is currently facing a wave of criticism following his recent live performances.
Social media users have been vocal in discrediting his stage acts, particularly those at the Castle Tankard in Borrowdale and a recent show in Marondera where he opened for Winky D.
While Oriyano previously garnered significant praise for his captivating performances, including at the National Arts Merit Awards, these recent concerts appear to have eroded much of that goodwill.
Videos from the performances, captured by audience members, quickly went viral.
One clip, showing Oriyano struggling to hit a high note, was repeatedly looped and shared with sarcastic captions and crying emojis.
Another video, highlighting an out-of-sync moment between Oriyano and his band, rapidly became a widely shared meme.
Critics on social media didn’t hold back.
“The band sounds off-key, is this really the Oriyano we know from the studio?” questioned one user after watching a show video.
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Another bluntly stated: “He sounds nothing like his recordings.”
Many fans who initially drew comparisons between Oriyano’s vocals and those of superstar Jah Prayzah are now questioning that resemblance.
“Turns out the JP comparisons were just a marketing gimmick,” quipped one user, adding, “this live performance is proving he's got a long way to go.”
The use of a live band also drew flak, with many suggesting he revert to backing tracks.
A viral tweet: “Ngaasiye live band aridze maback track otherwise career iri pama1,” translated to: “He should ditch the live band and use backing tracks, otherwise his career is in trouble.”
However, some fans have come to Oriyano's defense, attributing the issues to the challenges of live performances and potential sound system problems.
“Give him a break! Live shows are tough, and sometimes the sound quality isn't great,” one supporter tweeted.
In response to the mounting criticism, Oriyano appears to have addressed his detractors on Facebook.
His recent post: “Tichagona chete,” suggests a determination to improve, implying that with more time and consistent performances, he will master the art of live stage acts.
