By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
It was a night of nostalgia, rhythm and raw energy as Jamtree hosted its Urban Grooves night over the weekend, drawing a mature crowd that came ready to relive the golden era of Zimbabwean music.
But while the performances were electric, one name dominated the conversation — and not just for his music.
A Late Arrival, A Showstopping Performance
Roki, the man behind the timeless hit “Chidzoka,” was the night’s headliner. But in true rockstar fashion, he kept fans waiting. Arriving late, he took to the stage after Madiz had already set the house on fire with his rhumba-fused grooves.
Roki poses for a picture with Boss Stan
When Roki finally appeared, dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, all was forgiven. He delivered a showstopping act from start to finish, proving why he remains one of Zimbabwe’s most enduring urban grooves icons.
The crowd ate up every moment, swaying and singing along as he ran through his catalogue of hits.
The After-Party Drama
But as the saying goes, “what happens after the show” can sometimes steal the spotlight.
Roki’s night took a controversial turn when a video surfaced of him being dragged by a prostitute at a downtown Harare brothel. The footage quickly went viral, sparking a flurry of reactions across social media.
In response, Roki took to his social media handles with a defiant message:
“We all sinners and we need God. If any one of you have never sinned, cast the first stone. #OnlyGodCanJudgeMe.”
A Night of Nostalgia
While Roki’s off-stage antics grabbed headlines, the music itself was the real winner. The wintry weather couldn’t keep urban grooves fans away, as they flocked to Jamtree to catch live performances from some of the genre’s finest.
Maskiri brought the heat, delivering crowd favourites including his hit “Wenera” and sharing the stage with collaborators Pauline and Tererai, much to the delight of fans.
Tererai expressed her excitement, saying the urban grooves movement should continue beyond Harare and spread to other parts of Zimbabwe.
Boss Stan left and Dino
Dino Mudondo surprised many with a medley of hits, including some impressive covers, while Madiz warmed up the crowd with his signature rhumba-infused grooves.
A Monthly Celebration of Urban Grooves
Speaking about the future, Dino Mudondo revealed that Jamtree’s Urban Grooves night will now be a monthly event, featuring a mixed bag of performing artists. For fans of the genre, it’s welcome news — a chance to relive the sounds that defined a generation.
Maskiri summed up the sentiment, saying he was thrilled with the crowd’s response.
Roki may have turned up late, and his night may have ended in controversy, but when he hit that stage, he reminded everyone why he’s a legend. Off-stage drama aside, the Urban Grooves night at Jamtree was a resounding success — and the movement is only getting started.
Same time next month? You bet.
Dino pictured with a fan pic — Gemnation
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