Staff Writer
Musician Sanii Makhalima has reminded Urban Grooves fans that it was his brother and renowned music producer Delani aka Step Aside who coined the word in marking his birthday.
Delani who turned a year older today is largely credited for putting Urban Grooves on the map having first recorded a full studio album comprising local artistes.
The compilation album titled Urban Grooves became the anthem on the airwaves coinciding with government’s 75 percent local content drive.
Sanii took to his Facebook page and wrote: “A happy happy birthday to my older brother Delani Makhalima Delani Makhalima . . . May you be granted more wisdom health and power to forever change generations like you did… Your imprint on the Zimbabwean music circle shall never be forgotten!!
“You ARE URBAN GROOVES and a lot of us are a result of your vision, your productions, your efforts and your success!! Facts about Delani that many do not know
1. He came up with the word Urban Grooves after doing the highly successful Urban Groove Vol. 1 compilation.
2. He literally co-composed or fully composed every one of his productions. He recorded, mixed and mastered all these productions single handedly.
3. He hardly slept more than 4hrs when the movement was taking place.
4. He guided us all as a elderly figure in music. He too was learning the ropes and we made the mistakes and learnt lessons together as we went along because we were the blueprint and we had to set the tempo. EVERYTHING we did was an experiment.
5. Gramma records initially refused to sign a distribution deal for his company Galaxy Records. He went on to pay Gramma jus to manufacture cassettes. He sent us all to all parts of Zimbabwe carrying tapes in bags to sell to flea markets in all cities and mostly this consignment hadn’t been paid for even though it was available to the markets.
This strategy created our distribution network and this, Urban Music was at first found in the flea markets before Gramma approached to decide to distribute for us . . . this was after close to 100 000 cassettes had been sold through the flea markets
6. He is a judge at AFRIMA.(African Music Awards)
7. He doesn’t like the limelight and is thus always far from the public eye”
Sanii then suggested that both ZIMA and NAMA to consider Delani for a Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Delani changed the face of music in Zimbabwe as we see it today and it’s utter disrespect that we as Zimbabweans haven’t acknowledged this great feat by one of our own!
“That being said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY bro . . . I love you heaps and THANK YOU for making me Sanii Makhalima . . . I owe you!! Happy birthday.”
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