Jamaica’s Sir Ford’s Zimbabwe video released

Titled, ‘Babylon’, the video was released on YouTube on Wednesday 21 September.

Produced by T Man of Mount Zion Music, ‘Babylon’ features Harare’s popular bus terminals: Market Square, Copacabana and Charge Office. The video opens with a rank marshal calling passengers to board a commuter omnibus heading to Mbare—a dusty suburb credited for producing some of the country’s influential Zimdancehall artists.

The video, which was shot by Naxo Films, explores the ‘fights’ between taxi drivers and the police. The singer pleads that law enforcement authorities leave taxi drivers alone.

Commenting on why he decided to record and shoot a video in Zimbabwe, the ‘Jump Over Board’ singer told Music In Africa, “I recorded in Zimbabwe to get a different vibe. I love Zimbabwean music, there are great artists in Zim.”

Ford who is back in Jamaica said he looks forward to working with more artists in Zimbabwe.

Sir Ford took interest in music from the late eighties, when he started to DJ at sessions in and around communities in St. Thomas, Jamaica. He has released such singles as ‘Pass Di Coffin’, ‘Jump Over Board’, ‘Pet We no Powder’, ‘Bad Man pleasure’, ‘Big Life’ and many others.

Real name, Glenton Foreman, Sir Ford is not the first Jamaican artist to record in Zimbabwe. Red Rat, real name, Wallace Wilson, recorded a hit, ‘Rise up Zimbabwe’ which was a joint project with ABRA (African Bread Recording Artists). The song was released in April 2010 and immediately found popularity with Zimbabwe music fans.

In 2010, Sizzla, who flew to Harare to perform at President Robert Mugabe’s 86th birthday celebrations, was reportedly working with Transit Crew to put together his debut album on Zimbabwean soil.