Enzo Ishal, a popular Zimbabwean musician, has sparked speculation about his next career move with cryptic social media posts hinting at a potential signing with Samanyanga Sounds, a record label owned by fellow artist Holy Ten.
Enzo recently announced he would be signing with a “prominent” artist’s label, leaving fans guessing.
The post sent social media abuzz with possibilities, from Jah Prayzah’s Military Touch Movement to Winky D's Vigilance Music.
However, on Friday, Enzo’s ambiguous post featuring an elephant, the symbol of Samanyanga Records’ totem, fuelled the fire of speculation.
Holy Ten, a staunch supporter of Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, established Samanyanga Sounds.
Interestingly, rumours swirl around Scarfmore Records, allegedly owned by Mnangagwa's sons Collins and Sean, playing a behind-the-scenes role in Samanyanga Sounds’ operations.
Adding to the intrigue, Enzo Ishal recently acquired a luxurious Mercedes-Benz, with sources claiming it's a gift from the Mnangagwa twins, potentially linked to Enzo’s campaigning for Zanu PF in the last elections and a future collaborative relationship.
“The car is a present from the twins. A number of them (artists) closely linked to Zanu PF have been receiving these gifts. This gift also tightens the artist's relations with the Mnangagwa twins,” a source said.
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A contract posted by Enzo Ishal on his social media pages ostensibly signed by him also aroused interest around who could be facilitating the musician’s move.
“The company shall pay to the artiste a salary of US$12 000 per month (regular salary) payable under the company’s standard payroll practices,” reads part of the contract.
“In addition the company shall provide bonuses, incentive payments, and other forms of additional compensation as maybe established from time to time.”
The contract also showed that the artiste would receive a car worth US$20 000 among other benefits including vacation pay, personal days, health and disability insurance as well as retirement contributions.
This wouldn’t be the first time Enzo has received such patronage; Holy Ten reportedly received a Range Rover after openly supporting Zanu PF and Mnangagwa.
Enzo Ishal is no stranger to label hopping.
Previously, he was under Tee Mak Promotions (Malaysia), Chillspot Records and Passion Java's label.
His potential move to Samanyanga Sounds raises questions about the influence of Zanu PF and the Mnangagwa twins in the Zimbabwean music industry.
While the official announcement of Enzo Ishal’s label signing is yet to come, the pieces of the puzzle seem to be falling into place.
With Holy Ten’s Zanu PF ties and the alleged involvement of the Mnangagwa twins, Enzo’s potential move to Samanyanga Sounds adds another layer of complexity to the ever-evolving Zimbabwean music scene.
It remains to be seen if Enzo Ishal will officially join Samanyanga Sounds and, if so, what impact it will have on his career and the wider Zimbabwean music landscape.
In the run up to the August 23 elections last year, the Smart Rinotangira Kutsoka singer contested in the Zanu PF primary elections for a municipal ticket in Sunningdale.
However, the dancehall star took to Facebook to refute reports that he participated in the elections after the results came out.
He had a paltry seven votes, which earned him the moniker 007, the codename of the legendary film star James Bond.
