Zorro: Why I quit the TPF judges bench

One week after the first episode of the talent search show Tusker Project Fame Season 6 went on air from the academy in Nairobi, there have been  twists and turns in events.

The Beat has reliably learnt that organisers at the academy have dropped Tanzanian judge, musician Zahir Ali Zorro from the panel of judges.

Details of the fallout are still sketchy but word from Zahir Zorro’s camp has it that it was an amicable understanding between both parties.

Speaking to The Beat, the veteran musician said he had chosen to leave the show in order to concentrate on his personal musical engagements back at home.

“After the show in Nairobi last week it dawned on me that the responsibility was heavy and I couldn’t handle both the academy duties and my other engagements at home satisfactorily,” he said.

Zahir Zorro’s appointment to the judges’ panel was greeted with cheers of hope as many thought he would take the contest to a different level after replacing producer Hermes Bariki.

He was to work with Juliana Kanyomozi who filled the Ugandan spot and as agreed, controversial Ian Mbugua filled the Kenyan spot.

But as the posts on the TPF website announced that the vastly experienced musician had joined the panel, discord was brewing.

Though there has not been any official communication from Endermol and East Africa Breweries, sources privy to the academy cite his laid back display at the inauguration as the potential cause.

In his trademark bling-bling and suit, Zorro barely said anything during the blockbuster show that ushered in 25 contestants. “He was a bit uncomfortable with the surroundings and looked not at ease with the other judges who were enjoying themselves throughout the show,” said the source.

But in an interview with The Beat, Zorro cited generation gap as the reason for his mysterious exit from the regional show. In hi own words: “They will have to appoint a more youthful person to take over from me.”

This leaves some unanswered questions whether it was the age gap that left the singer in the cold.

Did the academy place too much pressure on Zorro on his debut that made him back out of the region’s most famous talent search?

His performance was also a source of what could easily pass as twitter attack as the social network was abuzz with comments on the new judge’s lukewarm debut on the big stage.

To them, the Season that has been christened ‘Take the Stage’ demanded more than what Zorro was providing and in this era of the social media all that matters are hits on the website.

Local pundits were quick to rubbish that off given the fact that he has worked closely with younger people at several bands including the B-Band, which is owned by his son Banana Zorro.

“He remains one of the most sociable musicians who have blended in quite well with the current generation and the last time I watched him perform Cleopatra he was such a hit. And above all having raised children who are into music such as Maunda and Banana should give him an edge over the others,” says the source.

He also cites other shows where Zorro has participated in such as ‘Serebuka’ where he was quite popular with viewers on TBC in 2010.

Tanzania as one of the countries that has never won the contest this time is represented by four contestants Angel, 23, Hisia, 21, Tanah, 21, and Dubson, 25.

The four made the cut out of several contestants who had been shortlisted from the six participating countries which include Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi.

They have now set out on a journey in quest of the Sh100 million grand prize and a recording deal worth Sh200 million.

Whether or not it was out of a mutual understanding, as Zahir Zorro puts it,  is a story that remains very mouth watering to most of the Tanzanian audience.

To some, the Season they had warmed up to so much has already ended somehow prematurely as what they looked forward to had evaporated in thin air.

At this point assurances from the producers and organisers of the show that nothing has gone wrong will be very vital as we search for East Africa’s next millionaire and celebrity.