Fantan Mojah gives Zimbabwe a monster performance

Zimbabweans set aside their disappointment in the absence of the Godfather of Jamaican soul music, Beres Hammond, last Saturday at Glamis Arena, Harare, Zimbabwe, when Fantan Mojah gave possibly his best and longest performance to date.

It was Fantan's first performance on an African stage and the Rastafarian was prepared to give his fans as much as he could.

Entering the stage with his Fire Child single to a large crowd, filled with energy, already created with a superb performance from veteran reggae artiste Cocoa Tea, Fantan Mojah was in control.

Fantan's three hours of performance excited the crowd at the Lion Lager Beer Festival from start to finish. he almost sang his entire catalogue and interacted well with the audience, who received him with much appreciation.

Scintillating stagecraft

There was a request for an encore for every song he sang.

"Mi heart full," said Fantan. "The feeling I get when people show me the love my Zimbabweans fans show me, words can't explain," he said.

The kudos for Fantan Mojah's performance flooded the local news, as several newspapers had his face on the front pages the following day.

One report said the Jamaicans unleashed their "scintillating stagecraft and melodious vibes".

Fans took to the Internet to show their appreciation for his presentation, sending emails and a few posts. It was a good and bad day for the Zimbabweans, who were also mourning the death of one of their own - artiste Tongai Moyo who died on the day of the show from a brain tumour he had been ailing with for some time.

Fantan Mojah remains in Zimbabwe and is scheduled to make a second appearance in Bulawayo today at Queens Sport Club.