FROM ZERO TO GAFA

Winky D (born Wallace Chirumiko in Harare) is a Zimbabwe man reggae–dancehall artist, known popularly as GAFA Also known as Dancehall Igwe.Winky D a.k.a. Wallace Chirumiko was born in Zimbabwe on 1 February 1983 in Harare’s ghetto, Kambuzuma the home town of some notable Zimbabwean celebrities such as prince Tendai and Radio and TV personality Admire Mhungu and Keith Mawoyo who later moved to Sunningdale,and relative to young upcoming Hararean rnb/hip hop artist Lil Tilama.

Winky D was among the artists featured in the Southern Africa Music Airwaves (SAMA) Festival 2009. Award winning best dressed Zimdancehall arist 2014 at the second edition Zimdancehall Award held March 2015.

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Chango star known as Charlton Nyakudya helped Winky D with $ 2000 000 000 cash in 2010.

Music career

With the help of Bartholomew Vera of BlackLab Records, Winky D went into the recording studio. His first songs in like Rasta and Head Inna War coupled by his ingenious stage performance set the dance floors very busy. Ever since Winky D has not turned back, he has released five albums with many charts hits which made him fans across the world, evidenced with successful tours in United Kingdom and South Africa. Winky D has become the new icon for Zimbabwean urban/reggae music with nicknames like, “King of Dancehall”, “The BigMan”,Messi wereggae, “Truthsayer” being attached to him in the ghettos.

In the bid to persuade the Zimbabwean male population to get circumcised Population Services International, and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare initiated a Winky D and Oliver Mtukudzi duet entitled "If you know you are a champion get circumcised", and the song was launched in Harare on, 19 January 2012.

In December 2010, Winky D alongside Guspy Warrior and Terry Fabulous from Chimurenga drive in Zengeza were scheduled to perform with Capleton on New Year's Eve but after failure to reach common ground the "Musarova bigman" Star withdrew and cancelled all his scheduled performance from Capleton's Zimbabwean Tour.

Winky D (born Wallace Chirimuko) failed to perform at President Robert Mugabe's inauguration gala held in August 2013 at the National Sports Stadium following contrasting statements about the musician's whereabouts during the event

In 2011, Winky D made his debut at the Monash Beer fest Carnival in Johannesburg, South Africa performing alongside Black Coffee, Cabo Snoop, Winky D, Dj Snypes, Dj Leks, TshepNOZ and Sipho, Dj Luo, Kay Mack ^]Winky D had 'beefs' with then popular dancehall artists such as Madcom and Daddy D.They had back and forth lyrically which he emerged as a victor en-route to become the most popular zim-dancehall act. Winky D alongside The General, Sniper Storm, were scheduled to perform as opening acts for Mavado.Winky D performed first and kept Mavado and Sniper Storm waiting backstage. Efforts were made by the organizing people of the show to get the "BIGMAN' off stage and make way for a ten-minute Sniper Storm performance but to no avail. Sniper Storm then took matters into his own hands and snatched the mic off Winky D. Sniper's actions caused a rage as the crowd threw all sorts of stuff on the stage, it also caused heated debates all over the internet and street corners across Zimbabwe as various musicians and entertainers reacted. Winky D has seen some more artist throw shots at him to get popularity off him which he has since ignored.The most popular of these is Seh Calaz who has had considerable and noteworthy attention for his disses towards the ninja president which he has also not replied but only called for peace among the zim-dancehall artists through his songs (Mafeelings, tiki taka, sungura like and PaGhetto which he mentions Seh Calaz) and interviews. 

Early career

When he was 16, he performed at the Ghetto Lane Clashes which were DJ battles meant to showcase the best emerging talent. He instantly made fans as he continued participating in similar platforms. It was from these shows where he earned the name 'Wicked Deejay' which was shortened Winky D for his powerful lyrics.When he started recording, his music had explicit lyrics and extolled violence, gangsterism and promiscuity. He however changed and started singing gospel music from 2013, and songs urging youths to shun using drugs.

Discography

Albums

• Gafa Life Kicks Tape (2015) Produced by Oskid
• Igofigo 'the Unthinkable' (October 2010)
• Twenty Eleven Singles Compilation (April 2011)
• Pakitchen (November 2011)
• Life Yangu (October 2012)
• 
  

]Having born in the ghetto, his music speaks about the everyday struggles of a ghetto child. He devoted his music to poor people’s trials and tribulations and pursuit of happiness.

In February 2015, he unleashed his 2015's theme which is based on releasing singles. He however faced numerous set-backs when he was deserted by some of his band members.] He outclassed his arch rival, Seh Calaz at the Harare International Carnival's Zimdancehall night which was held in the Harare Gardens in May 2014.[10]

Success

Winky D has been celebrated by many young Zimdancehall artists for being one of the pioneers of the genre in the country. He is also one of the long serving musicians in the industry with more than a decade of experience, He has also performed in different continents such as Europe and the Americas.

Disappear Success (Gafa Life 2015)

In 2015, Winky D's fame soared with the release of the album Gafa Life which featured the song Disappear. The album was produced by new producer at the timeOskid. The song topped the charts in Zimbabwe and was also in the BBC Radio 1 Extra Destination Africa Top 5 The song won both the NAMA 2016 Best song of year and Zimdancehall Awards 2016 Song of the year awards.

The song spurned a lot of cover versions on the internet by fans] as well as other artists like Tariro ne Gitare

Awards

• NAMA 2016 Best Song of Year for Disappear
• Zimdancehall Awards 2016 Song of the year for Disappear
• 2014 Zimdancehall Awards for the song Rokesheni.
• NAMA for the album Igofigo and People’s Choice Award in 2010
• 2013 Zim Dancehall awards for:
• Best video-Vashakabvu
• Best Social Message-Mafirakureva
• Best Live Performer
• Best Artist and the Best Artist Manager-Banda.

2015 Zimdancehall Awards for

• Best Dressed Artist
• Honorary Award
• Best Live Performer Award
• Best Artist Manager Award

Endorsements

Winky was endorsed to be the goodwill ambassador of the PSI Zimbabwe in the male circumcision campaign in 2011. He has appered on various television commercials and on radio stations campaigning for male circumcision as part of the organisation's agenda to reduce HIVand AIDS.