By Nyasha Chuma
HARARE– THE long dry spell in Harare’s mature reggae music nightlife has come to an end with the return of veteran deejay and MC Stanford “Stansplash” Chibanda and his crew at Kirrytan Grill in Emerald Hill.
The award-winning Stansplash, known for his tall frame, commanding stage presence and signature deep voice, is leading ‘Reggae Throwback’ , a weekly session that has quickly become the go-to spot for older reggae lovers.
He fronts the collective The Fantastic 4, made up of himself, Selektah Gibbs, DJ Wanco and Judgement Yard star TwoBad.
Together they are bringing back the sound of 90s and 2000s roots, lovers rock and dancehall to a crowd that has been underserved for years.
“Every Thursday and Sunday we run it at Kirytan Grill, 32 Golden Stairs, Emerald Hill,” said Stansplash.
“We are hosting sessions that have rapidly become a preferred destination for mature crowds seeking a secure environment and networking opportunities.”
The venue has positioned itself as more than just a club. With tight security, ample parking and a restaurant setup, Kirytan Grill is attracting professionals who want to enjoy reggae without the chaos of mainstream nightlife.
Stansplash is the pioneer of the Actionpak Sessions in the capital and also made waves at reggae sessions in Warren Park.
He became famous for his high-energy hosting at the Red Fox Hotel and at Mereki events.
He started the Kirytan reggae movement with Danny Vibes four years ago and revived it with the new ‘badd’ crew .
He has played on big reggae/dancehall platforms.
MC Stansplash pictured with Winky D and Jah Cure in Harare
Patrons say the revival could not have come at a better time.
“There has been a dearth in mature reggae music and the revival of the genre at Kirrytan with Stansplash and the team has given us relief,” said regular patron Ras Bolly from Highlands.
“The security is tight and it’s also good for business networking.”
For years, Harare’s reggae scene catered mainly to younger audiences in the CBD and Avenues. Reggae Throwback is now filling the gap for the mature crowd who want to reason, network and skank to timeless classics in a controlled setting.
With two nights a week and a growing following, The Fantastic 4 say they plan to keep the sessions running and expand to include guest selectors and live performances.
Let the Music play!
