| Tocky Vibes |
Tocky Vibes is the jewel in the Zimdancehall crown. His new album, Toti Toti, however, stakes a claim in the keynote circuit of local music.
When Tocky came from nowhere and turned an industry on its head last year, much was made of his instant flight to stardom.
For some, he was a passing fad. But he was on point with each new single, even stretching his fanbase from ghetto mafia to cool heads like Mai Chisamba.
For others, he needed to grow beyond shortlived dancehall riddims. His conscious content had to be accompanied by live instruments if he was to graduate out of Zimdancehall’s bubblegum mill.
And now he has done just that with “Toti Toti.”
The eight-track album, easily stands out from previous offerings with its customised instrumental pitch.
The latest offering features tracks “Nyama Yekugocha,” “Hande Tocky,” “Usarare,” “Mweya Wekubara,” “Toti Toti,” “Ita Undide,” “Oh Father” and “Kuhope.”
The tracks retain the conscious flair which endeared Tocky Vibes to Zimbabwean listeners and earned him the mantle Dancehall Priest.
Add a new, feel-good tempo to his deep “audiolect” and you have a re-routing, maturer, stand-alone Tocky Vibes.
However, the album’s street credibility stands to be tested against his big hits “Mhai,” “Usakande Mapfumo Pasi,” “Kushanda,” “Kudzamisa Pfungwa” and “Chii Nemi?” which were set to the riddims of the day.
His “Singles Collection” earned him his first two gongs at the Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima) two months ago and he has since become an award magnet, even attracting business awards.
Reception for the latest album might have been, however, optimised had Tocky thrown in more catchy choruses.
Catchy choruses stick in the mind and stretch longer across the ghetto circuit. Likely where some of the big names have been missing in action recently.
As I see it, the problem will be probably compensated for by the wild popularity the talented 21-year old currently enjoys.
All the same, the album merits a generous rating and shelf longevity for the daring and well-executed experiment that it is. To his credit, Tocky has remained on a clean and conscious tip
Clearly, Tocky’s voice is one that will go a long way, a conviction he reiterates in most of his songs.
The title track, “Toti Toti, urges listeners to take the journey of life one step at a time. “You can’t jog in a kombi while others are seated,” Tocky counsels, pointing out that the need for prayer and focus instead of shortcuts.
“Nyama Yekugocha” is a response to haters whom Tocky says who are out to condemn at the slightest mistake but choose to look the other way when he does well.
The masterly reggae sound shows Tocky’s flexibility with genres. Haters may find it hard to look the other way this time.
In “Hande Tocky,” the Rugare-bred artist emphasises his conviction that he is fashioned for greater accomplishments and his courage to stay the course to his destiny.
A significant section of urban discography is dedicated to bigging up oneself and gloating is just about what most of them is about.
In the case of Tocky Vibes, there is an infectious confidence which rubs on to ambitious listeners. He has always been convinced that there is a special vacancy for him in the room at the top, the same way an obscure Jah Prayzah used to lyrically predict his accession when fewer people took notice.
“Oh Father” is the flipside of “Mhai.” Tocky extols and thanks his father: “We had a good life from your sweat” and promises that he will work hard like him, at the same time praying to God for his longevity.
Continuing from the award-winning “Mhai,” “Moyo Wekubereka” is another lover letter to mothers in which Tocky sings about the travails of motherhood.
As in “Kushanda,” Tocky Vibes extols hard work in “Usarare.” He encourages people not to deposit energy but to expend each day for observable results as energy will always replenish itself.
“Ita Undide” is a comical song in the tradition of Xtra Large. Tocky brags about his “bag” and tells his crushworthy half that he is the one who raised Jah Prayzah, originated Dendera and bought Baba Sharo his bass guitar.
He adds when he sings about poverty, he will be referring to others not himself. At the end of his effort, the crushworthy half exclaims, “Your lines are so 1942. Anyway, you so cool. I like, I like.”
“Kuhope” is the narration of love in the dreamland. The chorus is a “hummalogue” between Tocky and his crushworthy fairy. His flustered whistle in the chorus is a comical add-on.