Burning Spear’s Harare Show Leaves Fans Raving About His Style, Sparking Comparisons with Winky D.
By Showbiz Reporter | ZimEye | Harare— Legendary reggae icon Burning Spear left the capital in awe during a powerful performance, which took place in front of a massive, highly energized crowd. As the veteran artist took to the stage, his distinct roots reggae style quickly resonated with the fans, leading to overwhelming praise on social media, with many declaring his music superior to local dancehall star Winky D’s.
The performance, which featured classic hits as well as newer tunes, captivated fans with Burning Spear’s commanding presence. Viewers took to social media platforms, posting videos and commenting in real-time, hailing the artist’s “mature music” and its deep connection with traditional African spiritual elements. One of the attendees, Tinashe Banhamombe, commented on Facebook, “Bless up the lion king… Welcome to the kingdom of Chaminuka,” referencing the ancestral spirit believed to watch over Zimbabwe.
Fans emphasized the contrast between Burning Spear’s seasoned, conscious reggae and the fast-paced, sometimes aggressive style of Zimdancehall, often associated with Winky D. Comments such as “Mature music for mature people” by Broom Mirielle Micrue echoed throughout the live feed, while others shared their sentiments about the deeper resonance they felt from Burning Spear’s performance compared to local dancehall acts. “True rasta,” another fan, Pasy P Phiri, declared, clearly aligned with the spiritual and cultural themes in the music.
Winky D, known as the “Gaffa,” has a massive following of his own, particularly among younger audiences who enjoy the energy of Zimdancehall. However, during this show, several viewers expressed that Burning Spear’s music offered something more profound. “Vanhu vakutofunga Gaffa havoo” (people are forgetting about Gaffa), noted one commenter, Jimmy Tinashe Kwenje, suggesting either how much the roots reggae legend had overshadowed local acts, or had actually underperformed.
Burning Spear’s enduring influence was celebrated even beyond Zimbabwe, with people tuning in from various parts of the world. A fan named Sevvsky Tasa, said to be ‘watching from Kingston, Jamaica,’ expressed appreciation for the reggae teacher from his homeland. This international connection only strengthened the admiration Zimbabweans felt toward the veteran performer.
Despite Winky D’s undeniable stature in Zimbabwe’s music scene, the immediate reactions during Burning Spear’s show signal that the older generation’s message-heavy, roots-based music still holds a powerful place in the hearts of Zimbabweans. Many attendees were particularly impressed by the spiritual and cultural resonance Burning Spear invoked. One commenter, Wesley Craig, summarized the mood perfectly with “Mature music mih seh.”
With Burning Spear’s performance leaving such a lasting impression, this latest comparison to Winky D’s fast-paced style has sparked debate, with fans of each artist standing firm in their opinions. One thing is clear, though: Harare was left buzzing from a show that will go down in the books as one of the most spiritually profound performances the city has seen in a while.
Fans continue to share their praise for Burning Spear, and for now, the reggae icon has reignited a conversation about the roots of Zimbabwe’s connection with reggae and spiritual music.