Teen Protégé steps onto the scene
By Zandile Zaza Ndovu
Tamy born Tamsanqa Moyo marked her entrance onto the musical scene with the launch of her debut album and video at a glitzy event held at Moto Republik last week.
The event which also served as an extension of her 18th birthday celebrations was a mixture of joy and emotion as she also got to honour her mother inviting her to stage when she performed a dedication Believe as she reminisced on her journey.
But it is her video, Ndibereke directed by Nico Abote which could easily be the climax of the gig.
It is a beautifully shot video with excellent choreography execution.
The story line appears to address abuse of teenage girls being tempted to choose between their peers and grown men who compensate them with cash and luxuries.
For a song titled along the lines of the famous Zimbabwean idiom “Tsoka ndibereke” which means running away often from a grave situation, the story line appears to satisfy the theme on child abuse.
However the interpretation of the message in the song into the visuals on the video could easily have been explored deeper.
The scripting of the video could have shifted its focus from making Tamy and the dance choreography which dominated the video from being the central focus in the plot, instead of the mere hint on the story line on child abuse.
Tamy is seen in the video being approached by a young man with a beer bottle and a cigarette trying to woo her and within a blink of an eye, that scene has changed and shifted to Tamy’s solo shots alternating with those where she appears with her dancers.
The storytelling and plot development seems inadequate while the cast’s acting needed more attention.
Gaps are evident in her camera relation when she is acting out a role of a teenager being courted and when she discusses with her peers unlike the smooth performances on scenes where she dances with her dancers.
In the acting scenes she and the other protagonists look too unsure and unconvincing and one can tell a bit of directorial effort would have delivered better facial expressions and body movements.
However overall, the video was beautifully made and would make for entertaining viewing.
For a debut video launch, it’s a good start and it can only mean there are better things to come.
At the launch, Tamy ushered in each song with a brief background on her inspiration and she somehow put paid the adage old soul in a youthful body as her writing oozes with creativity and depth.
Gathering her inspiration from her mentor and music legend Prudence Katomeni Mbofana, Tamy said hopes to one day write songs for her icon as well as other international artistes.
The album embeds a colourful mix of afro pop fusion, which appeals to the palette of any age group.
It has upbeat as well as thought provoking slow jams.
This rising star has also solicited the help of notable seasoned but youthful Zimbabwean talents such as the Grand World Champion in Performance Arts gold medalist Sylent Nqonqo, acoustic guitarist and producer Humphrey Domboka, Producer and Beat Maker Simba Tags and Internationally acclaimed Mokoomba Lead guitarist Trust Samende.
The launch was very well organised and well attended with support from corporate sponsors.
Tamy started singing at the age of seven as a child protégé. She has performed at the Madison Square Gardens in New York, at the Harare International Festival of the Arts, Shoko Festival, and was one of the opening acts for Joe Thomas when he toured the country.
She is also the Ambassador for Childline and is set to collaborate with South African artists Vusi Nova and Nathi from the Mutherland Ghetto Ruff stable.
One can follow Tamy on Facebook as Tamy and on Twitter and Instagram on @Tamymusiczw.
