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Born Obey Makamure and popularised as Tocky Vibes. He is a Kambuzuma based upcoming artist in the Zimdancehall genre and in Contemporary Music.

After an initial struggle to get a recording deal, Tocky’s talent was eventually spotted and little had he known that this humble beginning would see him shoot to fame. The single ‘Ngoma Dzonaka‘ on the Zimbo Flavour Riddim is one of the songs to set the tempo and start a trail of chart-making hits. Since then, Tocky has established himself as a force to be reckoned with through recording successive hit singles calminating in a singles collection album.

His other hit songs include ‘Batai Homwe‘ warning people to stay alert of those with sticky fingers or risk getting pick pocketed. Amongst other recordings is ‘Mhai‘ which was mainly influenced by his brother in law and produced by Dj Fydale at Mdada Studios. ‘Mhai‘ is an expression of the deepest gratitude to a mother for good upbringing. The song is filled with utterances of assurance to never forget the motherhood challenges.

‘Ndazokundikana‘ translating to ‘I have given in’ is a controversial song about a sister-in-law who lures her husband’s brother into bed and conscience forces him into a confession. He pleads not to be sent to the village. Controversial because such matters are not discussed openly in the Zimbabwean culture as they are considered ‘dirty laundry’ which must never come out in the public.

Tocky Vibes then went on to record other sensational hits like ‘Chii Nemi‘(What’s Wrong With You), ‘Ndini Ndinorira‘(I am the one who gets playtime) . His most recent tunes include ‘Handityi‘ and the inspirational ‘Usakande mapfumo pasi‘ which translates to ‘never give up’.

Tocky Vibes sings about day to day life issues and his lyrics are hard to resist and uplifting. The height of maturity in his lyrics was undisputed in ‘Dziripo Hama‘, a song which creates a somber atmosphere through contemplation of the fate of the departed kindred. He goes deeper in his lyrics to lighten the plight of the dead by highlighting the predicament faced by the living who are still yet to face their death.

Tocky is promising ‘Tocky fans’ of plans to take Tocky music to a wholly new level by establishing a live playing band which will give fans a real spin for their money.

Thomas Mapfumo made revolutionary changes in Zimbabwe's pop music scene by recording a song for which he'd written his own music. Before Mapfumo, songs in the traditional style were always based on tunes that had been handed down for generations. Mapfumo's music, chimurenga ("music of struggle"), became popular during the civil war against white minority rule, but his popularity made the government unhappy. In 1977, he was sent to a prison camp for subversion. To obtain his release, Mapfumo agreed to perform for the ruling party, but at the concert he sang only his most revolutionary songs. "I told them that since I'd been in detention, I didn't have time to write new ones." Mapfumo grew up in the country, went to a British colonial school, and worked as a herd boy, watching over the cattle. After hearing the Beatles and Wilson Pickett in the early '60s, Mapfumo taught himself guitar and started a band that played pop music from African countries, as well as Beatles, Rolling Stones, funk, and soul. Mapfumo left Western music behind to form the Acid Band. Their first album, Hokoyo (Beware), contained the songs that led to Mapfumo's detention. After Zimbabwe's liberation in 1978, Mapfumo formed Blacks Unlimited and released Gwindingwe Rine Shumba (Lion in the Bush), a joyous celebration of his country's independence. Jumbo Van Renen, the president of Earthworks Records, arranged to put out Mapfumo's music in England; when Van Renen later became CEO of Island Records in the U.K., he signed Mapfumo again, this time to an international recording contract.

Jamar Rolando McNaughton, using the moniker Chronixx, has ignited a torch in people's hearts the world over and is confidently lighting the path for an entire generation of youths to rediscover roots and culture.

Born October 10, 1992, Chronixx was musically nurtured from an early age by his father, the artist Chronicle, and grew up surrounded by the likes of Burro Banton, Norris Man and Gregory Isaacs. This was before 'Little Chronicle' benefited from the mentorship of Danny Browne with whom he recorded his first tune in 2003. His remarkable ascension in the music industry was in full effect when he began harmonizing for artists such as Lutan Fyah and providing production assistance for tracks sung by Konshens, Munga Honorable, Popcaan and others.

Today, Chronixx is a respected artist in his own right after his career was stimulated by the unfortunate passing of both his blood brother in 2007 and his brother-in-arms, Lil' J.O.E., in 2010. He decided during that period of grief to bypass the difficulties of a young producer seeking external talent by, instead, channeling his energy wholeheartedly as a vocalist. Thankfully, early and unwavering support was received from Zincfence Records producer Romaine 'Teflon' Arnett, who was the first to urge Chronixx to sing the lyrics he was writing for others.

The first EP, Hooked on Chronixx, was released in 2010 and immediately put the budding artist on the radar of music lovers and industry heads alike. Among its 7 tracks, 'Start A Fyah,' 'Capitalist' (featuring Infinite) and 'Behind Curtain' stood out as a fan favorites, reaching far beyond Jamaican shores. Meanwhile, 'Warrior' became Chronixx's first official video and served to alert many more to his arrival.

Chronixx toured for the first time in 2013 when he went to Europe with his own band. Soon afterward, he bestowed a name upon this carefully assembled musical crew: Zincfence Redemption. Altogether, their fascinating stage presence has elevated the Chronixx experience to new and ever increasing heights.

Also in 2013, he and his team were Jamaica's only representation in Nairobi, where he performed as a Peace Ambassador ahead of Kenya's general elections. The next year, he found himself in New York City where he participated in a reggae and jazz series together with living legends Ernest Ranglin and Monty Alexander. By this time, Chronixx had established new and renewed working connections with Sly & Robbie, King Jammy, Leroy Sibbles and, again, Danny Browne.

The Dread & Terrible Project was released in April 2014 with seven tracks plus three dub versions, immediately topping both the Billboard and iTunes reggae charts. Neither an album nor an EP, the Project also includes a short film based on one of its tracks, 'Rastaman Wheel Out.' The film was directed by "The Guru" Ras Kassa and has received high critical acclaim. The hit single, 'Here Comes Trouble' can also be found on The Dread & Terrible Project.

With so much accomplished in so short a time, the world is bracing for greater wonders from this young man who walks with an old soul. For Chronixx himself, music is a mission and history is being made everyday still.

"Prepare your minds and hearts for this revolution."


Thomas Date is following