A new tide is sweeping across the country — minors have become giants and children no longer need their parents.

While it was the norm that any big show had to have either Alick Macheso or Oliver Mtukudzi in the line-up for commercial success, the young artistes are now going it alone.

With the Easter holiday around the corner, it seems it will be youthful Suluman Chimbetu, Peter Moyo, raving Jah Prayzah and ambitious Romeo Gasa ruling the roost.

Even Tryson Chimbetu and his cousin Douglas have the verve while the likes of dancehall maestro Sniper Storm, aka Donald Chirisa, and gospel sensation Blessing Shumba have taken the country by storm. 

Fans have come out in full force to support the new generation of stars — the new role models, the new heroes and future superstars.

Jah Prayzah, real name Mukudzei Mukombe, of Gochi Gochi fame and military-style dress code, has been filling up venues with his mid-week regular slot at a city spot now the most popular music fiesta in town.

With the experience he has gained over the years, Sulu, as Suluman is known by his legion of fans, has become a polished performer. The feud with Macheso and the signing of one of the best dancers in the country, Franco “Slomo” Daka, have made him even more popular.

As for the Young Igwe, Peter "Dhewa" Moyo, it is a fairytale rise. The young man was born to perform — he has all the qualities that won his father awards for Best Live Performer at Zimbabwe Music Awards and the National Arts Merit Awards at his peak.

With the introduction of four new songs to his live performance list, which have been well received, it seems not even the sky is the limit for the Kwekwe-based Utakataka Express boss.

Though relatively unknown, Romeo Gasa and his band Extra Valembe are no pushovers. The young bass guitar maestro has stolen the hearts of many a fan and music promoters are now after his signature.

He has performed alongside almost every top musician in the country at the highest levels, but it is the emergence of young Dhewa, the success of Sulu and Jah Prayzah that has forced the young man to up his game and believe that he can be the best. Said Peter: "I believe that this is our time as young musicians. For long, young musical fans have been looking for young musicians to support, but there were very few then — now we are here and they are coming out in full force.

"The most difficult job in our line of work is convincing music fans to leave their homes, whether during the day or at night, to come to a show and see you perform. Our crop is doing it and the good thing is that we are still young and working even harder."

The Young Igwe dismissed claims that there was already tension between his camp and that of Suluman's, saying it was nothing more than healthy competition. Sulu's PR person, Joe Local, also downplayed the rumour.

"Our music is different from that of Utakataka and we do not share fans. There can never be any real competition between us. Anyway, we do not play music to compete but just to please our fans and do right by our sound, dendera," said Joe. However, the two, who go head-to-head at Holly's Hotel on Good Friday, are reported to be rehearsing "more than ever" for the high-profile outing.

The duo's fan bases are comprised mostly of women and young people — add to the fray Jah Prayzah who has the ladies practically eating out of his hands, and the Good Friday show will explode.

Organiser of the show Tatenda Paradzai says he believes in nurturing young talent and working with young people.

"If you look at this thing — you will see that these artistes, except for Sulu, have all sprung up almost from the unknown in the last six months or so to dominate the music scene.

"These are the artistes that music fans are hungry for because they have many new things to offer, stage acts that have not been seen before and can maintain their energy on stage for long hours," said Paradzai.

He added: "Actually we believe Sulu is now too old for our plan. We will not be mixing him with these budding artistes anymore. Instead, we will work with the likes of Jusa

Mupostori, Gasa, Jah Prayzah, Peter and Tryson. It is like a youth academy for future superstars."