Embattled 21-year-old dancehall musician Tocky Vibes pulled a shocker when he made a dramatic U-turn and refused to perform at 62-year-old musician Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi’s show last Friday.
Tuku was the main act at a show where Tocky Vibes was supposed to curtain-raise at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex and he had signed a contract with show promoter Josh Hozheri.
He, however, came at the venue but refused to perform citing that the crowd was “too small” for his calibre.
He left the venue in a huff.
It, however, emerged that Tocky Vibes had double booked and opted to fulfill a more lucrative contract in Mutare on the same night.
He had to refund Hozheri an undisclosed perfomance fee and this development angered the fans who were expecting him to perform as advertised.
Tocky Vibes’s manager Elvis Bokosha confirmed that they breached a contract with Hozheri but he blamed Hozheri for logistical bungling.
“Well, we were committed to fulfill(ing) the contract but the promoter did not keep his word because we had agreed that we perform at 2000hours,” said Bokosha.
“We went to the venue early but when we got there , the crowd was too small and our time to perform had elapsed so we had to quickly rush to another show in Mutare.”
He could not explain why they had booked two shows in different towns on the same night.
Hozheri’s mobile phone went unanswered yesterday.
This development (Tocky no-show) raises fears that Tocky Vibes might repeat the same modus operandi at the Mafikizolo show that is penciled for December 19 at the Harare International Conference Centre.
Interestingly, the line-up also features Tuku whom Tocky Vibes snubbed last Friday.
Music critics submitted that Tocky Vibes was sitting on a time bomb if he continues to compromise his professionalism.
“Fame is very dangerous, it can destroy what is otherwise great talent if you let it (go to) your head,” said Pride Benie a self-proclaimed music critic.
“ Tocky Vibes is slowly becoming another Soul Jah Love in terms of professional conduct because this is not the first time he has breached contracts.
“I remember at Airport Lounge two months ago he pulled the same stunt and its not good for his career. He risks suffering stunted (musical) growth.” Last week, he made headlines when he was accused of neglecting a love child he sired with a Marondera-based girl.
Meanwhile, despite Tocky Vibes’ no –show, the show went on smoothly and Jah Prayzah opened for the senior superstar Oliver Mtukudzi.
Tuku put the icing on the cake with a top drawer performance as he belted songs from his latest album until the wee hours of Saturday morning. – ZimMail