Music fans are fuming and demanding refunds from music promoters who were organising Nigerian singer Wizkid’s maiden Zimbabwe concert, labelling them fraudsters after the musician was in no-show on Friday at Old Hararians Sports Club.
Despite flying into the country, Wizkid — born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun — did not turn up for his scheduled show in Harare on Friday. Concert spokesperson Larry Kwirirayi claimed the musician failed to make an appearance at the show due to reasons beyond their control.
Kwirirayi, however, did not disclose the reasons, but unconfirmed reports on the showbiz scene suggesting the artiste refused to perform before a small crowd and was allegedly demanding his last payment before jumping on stage.
A handful of Wizkid’s loyal fans across the country, who had braved the showery weather and were at the venue in the capital expecting to watch their favourite musician perform live, were disappointed as only local musicians, among them Cynthia Mare, Bulawayo’s duo of Cal_Vin and Mzoe 7, Junior Brown, DJ Storm, Tufmiles, Rax, Mellow T and Judgement Yard took to the stage prompting them to throw missiles from all directions in protest, damaging stage lights and electronic screens.
After the Friday chaos, a sense of hope to watch the Nigerian star in action was restored for the disgruntled fans who had either tickets or wrist bands as the Bulawayo-based organisers on Saturday announced that they had rearranged another show on Sunday at Harare International Conference Centre.
Further to the frustration of the fans, the organisers, indicating what could be construed as confusion, cancelled the rescheduled gig at the eleventh hour.
In a statement, Kwirirayi said a new date had been set for another show, which he claimed Wizkid was dedicated to perform, and would be issuing a statement.
“The show that was scheduled for tomorrow, (Sunday 10 April) has been postponed. A date has been secured, but cannot be revealed at this time until statutory requirements have been met,” he said.
“We understand the frustrations of the fans and as the organisers we are keen to give you the show you deserve. Everyone with tickets that have not been claimed or wristbands, please hold on to them.”
The development, therefore, means that fans will now have to be patient and wait to know if the Ojuelegba hitmaker, who left the country yesterday, will be able to stage his maiden performance anytime soon.
“These promoters are fraudsters, how can they lie to us that they were going to stage
another show for us at Harare International Conference Centre? I am going to do my best to get my money back,” Prosper Gapare said.
another show for us at Harare International Conference Centre? I am going to do my best to get my money back,” Prosper Gapare said.
Bridget Kairezi said: “This is uncalled for, Wizkid and his promoters took us for granted
making us purchase advance tickets and later failed to show up while we were waiting for him in the rain, I need my money back.”
making us purchase advance tickets and later failed to show up while we were waiting for him in the rain, I need my money back.”
As the circumstances that led to the Nigerian artiste failing to perform remain unclear, social media networks yesterday were awash with memes and jokes over Wizkid’s no-show.
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