A bad boy image is haunting Soul Jah Love who has threatened two journalists with death for covering him — “negatively.
Dancehall chanter Soul Jah Love should shed off the bad boy image he is portraying because it is destroying his promising musical career.
The youthful chanter is always in the media for the wrong reasons that include threatening journalists and snubbing or getting to scheduled concerts late. He has also come under fire for performing for short periods before disappearing.
Unfortunately, all this is happening when the Ndini Uya Uya hit-maker is at his peak musically, a development which he should be using to his advantage.
By now Jah Love should have been competing artistically with the likes of Jah Prayzah and Winky D among others. He has to change the way he is doing things.
Today, fellow musicians like Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu, Winky D and Tocky Vibes are brand ambassadors, an appointment that is not coming Jah Love’s way because of his bad boy tag.
Initially, the Zimdancehall chanter made headlines in the tabloids after he parted ways with former manager Courage Zikhali, and everyone gave him the benefit of doubt.
Zikhali told this publication that Soul Jah Love is unpredictable as he chose to terminate a contract which entitled him to a monthly salary of
$1 500, an H2 Hummer vehicle, fuel allowances and accommodation in one of the medium density suburbs of Harare.
“He terminated the contract after I tried to restrain him from abusing drugs. I took this decision after I discovered empty bottles of Broncleer,” Zikhali said then. In his defence though, Soul Jah Love said Zikhali was trying to take advantage of him.
Early this year, Soul Jah Love was dragged to police by Mutare businessman-cum-promoter Esau Mupfumi for failing to fulfil contractual agreements. The artiste was billed to perform at Mupfumi’s Pick and Save joint but was nowhere to be found on the date of the concert for two consecutive dates despite receiving the money for the job.
However, he later fulfilled the obligation after police intervened.
As if this was not enough, the Mbare-bred chanter chased fans at his joint concert with Suluman Chimbetu in Harare arguing that he was not aware of the event.
He also threatened two journalists from State-owned media with death for covering him — “negatively.”
The artiste reportedly chased fans in Mutare with a golf club after they overwhelmed him for photo shoots.
Recently, he was in the media for “splitting”with his fiancée-cum-manager Bounty Lisa.
After all has been said and done, Chibaba, as he is affectionately known by his fans, should realise that his livelihood is hinged on the success of his music hence he should separate work and “jokes.’’
Considering his humble background, he should be leading by example and inspire youths.
There is a still chance for him to mend his ways. The award-winning artiste should invest more in rehearsals for a polished act; learn to respect the public including fans and promoters.
This is the right time for him to also invest in his own studio and public address system since he does not know what the future holds for him. -DailyNews