Wallace Chirumiko
Born in Kambuzuma, Wallace Chirumiko, also known as Winky D is a Reggae-Zimdancehall artist known as one of the biggest artists in the Zimbabwe.
| Legal Name | Wallace Chirumiko |
|---|---|
| Born | February 1, 1983 (Age 42 Years) |
| Albums |
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Winky D became interested in music at 8, and he started off by collecting reggae tapes and vinyl records. He attended Rukudzo Primary School and later Kambuzuma High 1 School. By the time he was 16, he was participating in local DJ battles which were known as Ghetto Lane Clashes, where he earned the nickname "Wicked Deejay," later shortened to Winky D.
Personal Life
Winky D is married and he has a child named Taenda [ 1.] His younger brother, Trevor Chirumiko, known as Layaan Soulja, is a producer as well as a television and radio presenter. There's not much information known about him that doesn't pertain to his professional life and he's one of the few prominent figures that have managed to do this.
Music Career
Winky D's career began in 2004, and since then he has released multiple albums, including:
- Gafa Life Kickstape (2015)
- Gafa Futi (2016)
- Gombwe: Chiextra (2018)
- Njema (2019)
- Eureka Eureka (2022)
His hit songs, such as "Musarove Bigman," "Disappear," and "Ngirozi," have topped charts and just like most of his songs, they have resonated with many. Winky D has performed internationally, in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Africa.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Winky D has received numerous awards, including:
- Best Male Artist (Southern Africa) at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in 2022[2]
- Best Dancehall Artist at the African Entertainment Awards USA in 2020 [3]
- Best African Dancehall Entertainer at the International Reggae and World Music Awards in 2023 [4]
These awards highlight his significant impact on African music as a whole.
Advocacy and Social Commentary
Winky D is known for his socially conscious lyrics, usually addressing issues like poverty, corruption, and drug abuse. His 2022 album, Eureka Eureka, features tracks such as "Ibotso" and "Dzimba Dzemabwe," which critique the societal challenges in Zimbabwe. This has sometimes led to controversy, including calls from certain groups to ban his music.