Zimbabwe Singing Idol Jonah Sithole Stresses   “Diversity” | Voice of America - English
This year's search for Zimbabwe's own singing idol has kicked off with auditions in Mutare, Bulawayo and Harare. The winner of the competition (the CBZ A Academy) will win a recording deal. Last year's teenager idol, 18-year-old Jonah Sithole, has just released his debut album 'Diversity'. But critics say it fails to live up to the hype his winning the contest created.
The CD cover features Thompsonpraising Sithole, who he describes as a sensational, original, and talentedindividual who has a "great attitude." The producer concludes by writing "You gotta believe in him,I do". Unfortunately, Sithole's CDfails to impress. Local critics have slated Sithole's performance as"lacking identity". They also argue there's nothing Zimbabwean abouthis compositions. The opening track on Sithole'salbum is titled Diversity. It also features Tapiwa Mugadza and an artist called"Young Doe". The lyrics urge people to unite, while celebrating theirdiversity. This is not a new sentiment; in fact critics say it sounds more likehe's copying African leaders appeals for an African renaissance. The tracks on the CD areheavily influenced by American R'n'B and contains up-tempo beats. Like most other youngZimbabwean musicians, Sithole sings about love. Tracks dealing with matters of the heart include 'Equation of meand you', 'Ease Up', 'Puerto-Rican Girl', 'Need to know' and 'Right Now'. While Sithole has beendescribed as an American imitation with his baggy jeans and "blingbling" chains, he insists he has an identity. In his only Shona song, titledKwandinobva (Where I come from", Sithole sings about how he grew uplistening to Oliver Mtukudzi and the late Marshal Munimunwe's Four Brothers. While some might not like hisstyle, Sithole will no doubt inspire fellow aspiring young musicians who'reeager to get the same chance that the CBZ A Academy gave him. These musicians may not become wealthy orpraised for a trend-setting style, but they will achieve their five minutes offame, thanks to having their faces splashed across newspapers, posters and ontelevision.