A Christmas with Audius

“Funny how time flies when you are making love. It goes on and on and on, You just can’t go wrong.“

You guys are probably wondering what I am on about here. That’s a lyric from a song by the Jamaican reggae star, Luciano, who also calls himself The Jahessenger.

Jahessenger was the last big act to visit Zimbabwe after Joe Thomas.

Now in that growing list of top entertainers performing in Zimbabwe, add Audius Mtawarira.

I was minding my own bees’ wax, when I got a Skype at 2AM from Jamie Huber, Audius’ manager in Australia asking if I was still doing music. Only Jamie can get away with asking something like that!

I confess, I had gone on long hiatus, not least because I was busy elsewhere but, the last time I wrote on this blog just before the X-factor finals 2008, I got so much stick from you guys about Alex, last year’s winner.

My crime? I said I knew her and her family and to most Zimbabweans that equals kuvhaira no less.  I had to pull the article down, because the torrent of abuse was staggering. That’s just off. C’on guys, lighten up will you, this is ONLY MUSIC!

Now, let’s cut to the chase and go straight to Audius.

Going Home … Audius

Our very own sound machine Audius is spending Christmas 2009 in Zimbabwe and he got the massive HICC locked down for December 21.

Audius last performed in Zimbabwe in 2005 at a joint in Borrowdale Brooke, when a group of young and old girls couldn’t help themselves and mobbed him on stage. This time, it’s the HICC and a one-off once-in-a-lifetime gig dubbed The Zim4Lyfe concert, featuring a five piece band and choir organised by BlindFaith Entertainment, ZimVibes and ShonaClothing.com.

Audius’ band has supported huge international acts touring Australia like Justin Timberlake and Boys2Men. That just says WOW for their pedigree.

Tickets are going for a cool US$40. If I were in Zimbabwe, I wouldn’t blink twice.

My twin, Esau (word has gone around that he is now a lard bucket. He must quit the burgers and hit the gym fast), is helping out Audius’ sister Zoe arranging the gig. If you want to get involved ring him on +26323727662 or +263-912 261675. We are shooting a DVD of the whole concert so watch out online in a couple of months.

I am a cheer-leader for Audius. There is no question he has to take over from the retiring Tuku and be staging gigs here in the UK too. H-town is in for a rude awakening because Audius is glowing red-hot at the moment, having finished producing Jessica Mauboy’s multiplatinum album which featured The FloRida in the hit song Running Back.

Do I need to mention that Alexandra Burke has also featured The FloRida on her debut single Bad Boys released this week? It’s a small world isn’t it?

To most Zimbabweans, Audius’ best song remains Amai, because it holds so much meaning to us. Now spread the word.

RUNNING BACK: AUDIUS

AMAI: AUDIUS