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Winky D

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Winky D
Winky D at the Africa Unplugged concert, Wembley Arena 2012, in LondonWinky D at the Africa Unplugged concert, Wembley Arena 2012, in London
Background information
Born (1983-02-01) February 1, 1983 (age 41)
GenresDancehall, Reggae, Zimdancehall
OccupationMusician
Years active2004–present
LabelsBlack Lab Records, Vigilance Music, Independent (current)
Websitehttp://www.winkydonline.com
Musical artist

Winky D is a Zimbabwean reggae-dancehall artist, popularly known as "The Big Man" (stylized as "Di Bigman"). His music provides social commentary about Zimbabwean society.

Early life and career

As a teenager, Winky D began showcasing his music at various local events and concerts. At the age of 16, he participated in the Ghetto Lane Clashes, a series of DJ battles designed to showcase up-and-coming artists. Over time, he earned the nickname 'Wicked DeeJay', which was eventually shortened to Winky D. Recently, Winky D has shifted his focus to gospel music, and has been an advocate against drug addiction.

Music career

Winky D was among the artists featured in the Southern Africa Music Airwaves (SAMA) Festival in 2009.

Winky D has released seven studio albums and toured in the United Kingdom, United States, Asia, and South Africa.

Winky D is an advocate for male circumcision. As a call to action for his fans, Winky D and Albert Nyoni (Vanyoni Beats) released a track entitled "If you know you are a champion get circumcised". The song was launched in Harare on 19 January 2012.

Winky D failed to perform at President Robert Mugabe's inauguration gala held in August 2013 at the National Sports Stadium. There were contrasting statements about the musician's whereabouts during the event.

In 2023, Winky D launched his studio album Eureka Eureka. Some songs from the album, especially "Ibotso" and "Dzimba Dzemabwe", provide commentary on social ills in Zimbabwean society, in particular corruption and the struggles faced by young people. In response, a pressure group affiliated with the ruling party ZANU–PF called for Winky D's music to be banned in Zimbabwe. In March 2023, the Zimbabwe Republic Police shut down a Winky D concert in Chitungwiza just as he began to sing the song "Ibotso" leading to widespread condemnation.

On 31 December, he filled the Harare International Conference Center (HICC) for his Ghettocracy show. This event served as a celebration of his 20-year journey in the music industry.

Feuds

Winky D had 'beef' with then-dancehall artists such as Badman and Daddy D. They battled back and forth lyrically, from which he emerged as a victor.

Winky D, alongside The General and Sniper Storm, were scheduled to perform as opening acts for Mavado.

Winky D called for peace among the Zimdancehall artists through his songs and interviews.

Partial discography

  • War
  • The Devotee
  • Igofigo – The Unthinkable
  • PaKitchen
  • Life Yangu
  • Gafa Life Kickstape
  • Gafa Futi
  • Gombwe: Chiextra
  • Njema
  • Eureka Eureka

Awards

  • Best Male Artist (Southern Africa) in 2022 - All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)
  • People's Choice Award - National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) 2020
  • Winky D won "Best Dancehall Artist" at the 2020 African Entertainment Awards USA.
  • Best African Dancehall Entertainer at the International Reggae and World Music Awards.
  • Best Album 2020 'Njema' - Zimdancehall Awards
  • Winky D won 2024 People Choice - National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA)

See also

References

  1. Khan, Khatija (February 2021). "Censorship and the Cultural Ambiguities of Singing against Authoritarianism in Zimbabwe: The Case of Winky D's Popular Music". Acta Iassyensia Comparationis. 2 (28): 117–131. doi:10.47743/aic-2021-2-0013.
  2. "Winky D Biography: Age, Children, Siblings, Albums". Pindula.co.zw. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  3. "Thomas Mapfumo to perform in UK". 15 July 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. "SAMA festival set for the UK". 21 August 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. "Winky D". Music In Africa. 28 July 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  6. "Winky D on Apple Music". Apple Music - Web Player. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  7. "ZIM embarks on pilot Male Circumcision exercise" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  8. Mungwadzi, Godwin (23 January 2012). "Tuku's phone call to Winky D, "Bigiman Pindai Norton!"". Greedysouth.co.zw. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  9. "Winky D in no-show dilemma". Newsday.co.zw. 28 August 2013.
  10. Denhere, Blessing Taona (10 January 2023). "Politics of the Rhythm: Unpacking Winky D's Eureka Eureka album". Nehanda Radio. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  11. "Zanu-PF pressure group wants Winky D music banned in Zimbabwe". Nehanda Radio. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  12. Gonye, Vanessa. "Zanu PF shadowy group wants Winky D music banned". NewsDay. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  13. "Police shut down Winky D's performance in Chitungwiza". Zimbabwe News Now. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  14. "Fans stand with Winky D, call-out police, Zanu PF over Chitungwiza show shutdown |".
  15. "Finally Mavado to Perform in Zimbabwe, Charges Reduced". Archived from the original on 15 February 2012.
  16. "Winky D discusses Dancehall Beef, Royalty and Igo Figo – the new mixtape – Greedysouth – Zimbabwe Online Magazine for Music, Fashion, Design, Culture and The Arts". Greedysouth.co.zw. 9 October 2010.
  17. "BlackLab Records – Catalogue". 3 February 2007. Archived from the original on 3 February 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  18. "BlackLab Records - Zimbabwe's Hottest Reggae, Dancehall, Urban Music Record Label". Blacklabrecords.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  19. "Winkydonline.com". Winkydonline.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  20. "iTunes - Music - Pakitchen by Winky D". Itunes.apple.com.
  21. "Download Pakitchen by Winky D - eMusic". Emusic.com.
  22. "Winkydonline.com". Winkydonline.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  23. "iTunes - Music - Gafa life by Winky D". Itunes.apple.com.
  24. "iTunes - Music - Gafa Futi by Winky D". Itunes.apple.com.
  25. "Gombwe: Chiextra by Winky D". Itunes.apple.com. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  26. "WINKY D _ Njema Album Songs list". Bustop.tv. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  27. "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  28. "Winky D Wins Continental Award" 263Chat (16 January 2023). https://www.263chat.com/winky-d-wins-continental-award/. 263Chat
  30. Ncube, Audrey L (13 January 2021). "Zimdancehall Artist Winky D Bags An International Award". iHarare.
  31. Antonio, Winstone (18 May 2021). "Winky d bags another globa gong". Newsday.
  32. "Zimdancehall Awards 2020: All the winners". Musicinafrica.net. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.

External links

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