Winky D
Winky D is a Zimbabwean reggae-dancehall artist popularly known as "The Big Man" (stylized as "Di Bigman"). Winky D is often considered the Zimdancehall pioneer and one of the most accomplished modern Zimbabwean music artists. His music provides social commentary about Zimbabwean society. [1]
Winky D | |
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Background information | |
Genres | Dancehall, Reggae, Zimdancehall |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | Black Lab Records, Vigilance Music, Independent (current) |
Website | http://www.winkydonline.com |
Winky D was among the artists featured in the Southern Africa Music Airwaves (SAMA) Festival 2009.[2][3] He has released nine studio albums.
Early life and career
As a young teenager, Winky D began showcasing his musical talents while performing at various small-scale events and concerts. At the age of 16, he participated in the Getto Lane Clashes, a series of DJ battles designed to showcase the most promising up-and-coming artists in the field. It was during these clashes that Winky D's skills as a musician were first recognized. Over time, he earned the nickname 'Wicked DeeJay', which was eventually shortened to Winky D. In more recent years, Winky D has shifted his focus to gospel music, and has also been an advocate in the fight against drug addiction within society.[4]
Music career
He has since released eleven albums. This was followed by tours in United Kingdom, US, Asia, and South Africa.
WInky D has been pushing the male population to get circumcised,[5]. He is an avaid supporter of Population Services International and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. As a call to action for his fans Winky D and Albert Nyoni (Vanyoni Beats) released a track entitled "If you know you are a champion get circumcised". The song was launched in Harare on 19 January 2012.[6]
Winky D failed to perform at President Robert Mugabe's inauguration gala held in August 2013 at the National Sports Stadium, following contrasting statements about the musician's whereabouts during the event.[7]
In 2023, Winky D launched his studio album Eureka Eureka. Some songs from the album, especially "Ibotso" and "Dzimba Dzemabwe", provide commentary on social ills in Zimbabwean society, in particular corruption and the struggles faced by young people.[8] In response, a pressure group affiliated with the ruling party ZANU–PF called for Winky D's music to be banned in Zimbabwe. [9] [10] In March 2023, the Zimbabwe Republic Police shut down a Winky D concert in Chitungwiza just as he began to sing the song "Ibotso" [11] leading to widespread condemnation. [12]
Feuds
Winky D had 'beefs' with then popular dancehall artists such as Badman and Daddy D. They battled back and forth lyrically, from which he emerged as a victor en route to become the most popular Zim-dancehall act.
Winky D, alongside The General and Sniper Storm, were scheduled to perform as opening acts for Mavado.[13]
Winky D called for peace among the zim-dancehall artists through his songs and interviews.[14]
Partial discography
War
- "War"
- "Head Ina War"
- "Nuh Talk"
- "Take a Run"
- "Where you come from"
- Igo Figo[15]
The Devotee
- "Babylon"
- "Battle for the future"
- "Dem No Wrong"
- "The Ghetto"
- "The Night"
- "Down Ina The Ghetto"
- "For the benjamins"
- "Girl dem plenty"
- "Ghetto sufferation"
- "Ina the dark"
- "Make up your mind"
- "No life in bed"
- "Nuh like it"
- "The way you feel"
- "Thiefing pastor"
- "Will you"
- "Green Lyk Mi Garden"
- "Messi wereggae"[16]
Igofigo – The Unthinkable
- Controversy
- Baby Mama (feat Shayma)
- Isu (feat King Shaddy)
- Musarova BigMan
- She Woulda Go (feat Layaan & Ngonizee)
- Snepi
- Tinokutsuura
- Vaudze (feat Stunner)
- Buss di Shot (feat Guspy Warrior)
- Born Champion[17]
PaKitchen
- Pakitchen
- Taitirana (feat. Ninja Lipsy)
- Mabhazuka
- Type Yezvimoko
- Mukadzi Anogeza
- Bongozozo
- Refuri Parudo
- First Sight
- Ndini Ndakatanga
- Gezera
- Gerai Ndebvu
- Ninja Saturday
- Musandisunge officer[18][19]
Life Yangu
- Life Yangu
- Mamukasei
- Ninja Summer
- Tatovhaya
- Mumba maBaba
- View Mirror
- Munhu weNyama (ft Freeman)
- Compass yemaNgoma
- Vashakabvu
- Made in China
- Ndinewe
- Big Spender
- Bhuru Dzvuku
- Hubenzi[20]
Gafa Life Kickstape
- Disappear
- Not Nice produced in association with V.Mberengwa
- Mirror
- Survivor (feat. Shinsoman)
- Holiday (feat. Guspy Warrior)
- Ngoma Futi
- Idya Mari
- Woshora
- Copyrights
- Gafa Life[21]
Gafa Futi
- Happiest Man
- 25 'Twenty Five' produced in association with V.Mberengwa
- Bhebi RaMwari
- Bob Marley Funeral
- Daddy
- Extraterrestrial
- Gafa Party (Toi-Toi)
- Hooray
- Karma
- Mwendamberi
- Photo Life
- Panorwadza Moyo (feat. Oliver Mtukudzi)[22]
Gombwe: Chiextra
- Gombwe
- City Life
- Finhu Finhu produced in association with Vincent Mberengwa
- Highway Code
- Simba
- Number One (feat. Haig Park Primary)
- Ngirozi (feat. Vabati VaJehova)
- Onaiwo
- MaRobots
- Bho Yangu
- I'm Hot
- Dona
- Hatiperekedzane produced in association with Vincent Mberengwa
- My Woman (feat. Beenie Man)[23]
Njema
- Amai
- Chandelier produced in association with Vincent Mberengwa
- Sekai
- Chitekete produced in association with Vincent Mberengwa
- Siya So
- Ijipita
- Njema njema
- Ndidye Mari ft Buffalo Soljah
- Naye produced in association with Vincent Mberengwa
- Bhatiri produced in association with Vincent Mberengwa
- Murombo
- Area 51 produced in association with Vincent Mberengwa
- Mangerengere[24]
Eureka
- Tears ft Anita Jackson
- Peter Friend ft Nutty O
- Shaker ft Enzo Ishall
- Vafarisi ft Poptain ft Bazooker
- Gonyera ft EXQ
- Nherera ft Mwenje Mathole
- Chauruka ft Tocky Vibes
- XYZ ft Qounfuzed
- Dreams ft Saintfloew
- High Grades ft Herman
- Dzimba Dzemambwe ft Shingai Shoniwa
- MuSpirit ft Dr Chaii
- Urere ft Killer T
- Ibotso ft Holy Ten
Awards
- Best Male Artist (Southern Africa) in 2022 - All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) [25]
- Best album Igofigo and People’s Choice Award - National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) 2010
- Best Live Performer Award - Zimdancehall Awards 2015
- People's Choice Award - National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) 2020[26]
- Winky D won "Best Dancehall Artist" at the 2020 African Entertainment Awards USA.[27]
- Best African Dancehall Entertainer at the International Reggae and World Music Awards.[28]
- Best Album 2020 'Njema' - Zimdancehall Awards[29]
See also
References
- Khan, Khatija (February 2021). "Censorship and the Cultural Ambiguities of Singing against Authoritarianism in Zimbabwe: The Case of Winky D's Popular Music". Acta Iassyensia Comparationis.
- "Thomas Mapfumo to perform in UK". 15 July 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - "SAMA festival set for the UK". 21 August 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - "Winky D Biography: Age, Children, Siblings, Albums". Pindula.co.zw. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- "ZIM embarks on pilot Male Circumcision exercise" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
- Mungwadzi, Godwin. "Tuku's phone call to Winky D, "Bigiman Pindai Norton!"". Greedysouth.co.zw. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- "Winky D in no-show dilemma". Newsday.co.zw. 28 August 2013.
- https://nehandaradio.com/2023/01/10/politics-of-the-rhythm-unpacking-winky-ds-eureka-eureka-album/
- https://nehandaradio.com/2023/01/04/zanu-pf-pressure-group-wants-winky-d-music-banned-in-zimbabwe/
- https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005722/zanu-pf-shadowy-group-wants-winky-d-music-banned
- https://www.zimlive.com/police-shut-down-winky-ds-performance-in-chitungwiza/
- https://www.newzimbabwe.com/https-www-newzimbabwe-com-fans-stand-with-winky-d-call-out-police-zanu-pf-over-chitungwiza-show-shutdown/
- "Finally Mavado to Perform in Zimbabwe, Charges Reduced". Archived from the original on 15 February 2012.
- "Winky D discusses Dancehall Beef, Royalty and Igo Figo – the new mixtape – Greedysouth – Zimbabwe Online Magazine for Music, Fashion, Design, Culture and The Arts". Greedysouth.co.zw.
- "BlackLab Records – Catalogue". 3 February 2007. Archived from the original on 3 February 2007.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - "BlackLab Records - Zimbabwe's Hottest Reggae, Dancehall, Urban Music Record Label". Blacklabrecords.com.
- "Winkydonline.com". Winkydonline.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- "iTunes - Music - Pakitchen by Winky D". Itunes.apple.com.
- "Download Pakitchen by Winky D - eMusic". Emusic.com.
- "Winkydonline.com". Winkydonline.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- "iTunes - Music - Gafa life by Winky D". Itunes.apple.com.
- "iTunes - Music - Gafa Futi by Winky D". Itunes.apple.com.
- "Gombwe: Chiextra by Winky D". Itunes.apple.com. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
- "WINKY D _ Njema Album Songs list". Bustop.tv. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- "Winky D Wins Continental Award" 263Chat (16 January 2023). https://www.263chat.com/winky-d-wins-continental-award/. 263Chat
- Ncube, Audrey L (13 January 2021). "Zimdancehall Artist Winky D Bags An International Award". iHarare.
- Antonio, Winstone (18 May 2021). "Winky d bags another globa gong". Newsday.
- "Zimdancehall Awards 2020: All the winners". Musicinafrica.net. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
External links
- Official website
- Artist's page at BlackLab Records
- Biographical interview with Winky D by Jonathan Banda, Winky's producer
- Winky D video – Winky D's first video
- Winky D on Audiozim
- Interview with Winky D , Sunday News (Zimbabwe)
- "Winky D is indeed here to stay", nehandaradio.com
- Winky D fills up HICC. . . as album launch lives up to billing Winky D tames the beast
- Winky D is . . . well . . . different Winky D the best artist in Zimbabwe
- Winky D, Jah Prayzah in game of thrones