A Jah-blessed Entertainer with Ganjahtrix

By Tawanda Matanhire

Reggae-dancehall star Tavona Padoro, popularly known as Jah Bless, is rebranding.
He now prefers to be known as Ganjahtrix, adding to his many other monikers, among them Entertainer, Sekuru ve Zim dancehall and, of course, Jah Bless.
The complete transformation is set to take place in April 2021 when the 45-year-old devout Rastafarian releases Born to Lead, an album he says will “definitely shake the market”.
In a social media post, the Rastaman, as he also likes to call himself, said this is a new dawn for reggae music.
“It’s not the Zim dancehall era, it’s not the urban grooves era and it is not the Afro-pop era either. It’s my era, it’s the Rastaman time,” said Ganjahtrix.
“I’m dropping a new album titled Born to Lead and after careful thought I am rebranding to Ganjahtrix,” he added.
In an interview with Nhau Arts, Ganjahtrix explained the meaning of his new identity, giving a simile of the marijuana (mbanje) plant, which has survived for millennia besides being regarded as illegal in many countries.
Marijuana is also known as ganja.
“Ganjahtrix is someone who prospers against all odds. Someone who outlives and outsmarts his adversaries just like the ganja plant, which still exists up to this day despite the ‘persecution’ it has ‘suffered’ throughout centuries,” he said.
“It was first made illegal in the UK in the 19th century but those who legislate against its existence are in graves whilst the plant still spreads its seeds far and wide till this day.
“So despite what we go through, our legacy will live and our enemies shall be erased from history. We are full of tricks to thrive like ganja and protected by the creator and mother nature hence Ganjahtrix.”
His decision to rebrand was also a result of having “too many Jahs out there”.
“There are too many Jahs out there, which has confused the market as to what ‘Jah’ means. Jah Signal, Jah Love, Jah Prayzah, Jah Master etcetera in Zimbabwe. There is also Jah Cure, Jah Mason, Jah Vinci, Jahmiel, Jafrass, Jahbless in Jamaica and another Jah Bless in Nigeria.
“I am a Rastafarian first and foremost. So it is of great importance that my brand stands out in the market to reflect me and my divine purpose which is to entertain, heal and teach, comfort and uplift the people through music.”
The Ndouya Ikoko hitmaker said his album will differentiate him from other artists.
“Born to Lead is an Album that will help the world understand that I am an artist in a league of his own, walking my own journey and that there is no other like me in this whole world,” he said.
He added that a lot of local artists went through a tough time owing to the Covid-19 pandemic but God preserved life.
“Just like birds of the earth and every living creature, we survive because the Most High is the life giver. We were there before Covid-19 and we shall live beyond coronavirus,” he said.
In an economy where many artists are struggling to live off their music, Ganjahtrix told Nhau that he solely depends on music.
“Besides music I just do music. I am all about music. I’m multi-talented though, I’m an intellectual but my calling is entertainment that’s why I’m the Entertainer,” he said.
Ganjahtrix says he is both a Zim dancehall and reggae artist because the former was birthed by the later.
“Reggae is the foundation of dancehall. All authentic global dancehall superstars are very good with their reggae. Zim dancehall was born from dancehall and dancehall evolved from reggae,” he said.
Adding: “I am a real artist, I’m not in it for the hype and fame but I live the culture. Reggae is the weapon to cut down all wickedness and we are servants of the Creator.
“I am a versatile artist, I do all kinds of music including dancehall, Zim dancehall and Afro-pop but reggae is my first love. Zim dancehall partly defines me. I’m part of the movement and the movement is part of me.
“However, I’m also a movement on my own because I do my things, my own way. I just think what no one else is thinking and I just do what no one else is doing.” Nhau/Indaba