The Sunday Mail
THIS Thursday sees Harare’s Long Cheng Plaza hosting the Fifth Zim Hip-Hop Awards.
At face value, there is no excitement on the streets about the impending ceremony, which takes place at the imposing Club 1+1 Happy — one of the more popular scenes in Zimbabwe’s nightlife.
Yet in the circles of those that live and breathe hip-hop, the mood so supercharged one would think the Grammys have come to Harare.
From the City of Kings and Queens aka Bulawayo, the capital Harare, to small towns like Chiredzi and Zvishavane, Zim hip-hop has a following. And that following will be at Club 1+1 Happy.
In the early ‘70s, African-American and Latino youths in the South Bronx area of New York City in the United States started a cultural movement that has grown over the years, spreading its wings across the globe to become more than just a music genre.
Recognised as the world’s favourite youth culture, hip-hop has made a huge impact on the global music scene.
Zimbabweans have not been left behind, producing exceptional talent that has gone on to excel on the international arena.
Like Zim dancehall, the hip-hop movement in Zimbabwe started years ago.
But despite enjoying some good times, local hip-hop is living in the shadow of Zim dancehall in terms of mass appeal.
In terms of quality of music and international penetration — Zim hip-hop is way ahead.
And locally, there is no upmarket party to talk about without Zim hip-hop.
At the recent Castle Lite Street Party at Newlands Shopping Centre in Harare, it was Zim hip-hop that kept the thousands that attended on their feet.
Some of the characters that have kept the local hip-hop spirit alive include Tehn Diamond, Junior Brown, Simba Tags, Stunner, Black Bird, Cal Vin, Mudiwa, Trae Yung, Blacperl, Peekay, Briss Mbada and Maskiri, to name a few. Producer, singer and songwriter, Simba Tags, real name Simbarashe Tagwireyi, is one of those that have managed to hustle their way to the international arena.
From putting his touch on Peekay’s hit single “Ma1” to having Nigerian superstar Ice Prince feature on his single “Don’t Leave”, Tags’ star has been shining brighter with each project.
The talented artiste’s exploits have also seen him work with other continental stars like Burna Boy, Reason, Zubs and Skwatta Kamp.
He was included in the star-studded line-up for the inaugural African Music Concert at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg, featuring the likes of Casper Nyovest, AKA, Wizkid, Uhuru and Davido, among other heavyweights.
Another artiste who has raised the Zimbabwean flag high internationally is Keith Guzha Jr, popularly known as Kapital K.
Based in South Africa, Kapital K is one of the best rappers to emerge from Zimbabwe, headlining shows with big names like Neato C, Davido and HHP. He also featured on DJ C-Live’s “We Stay Winning” alongside AB Crazy.
In October, Kapital K proved what kind of showman he is at the Revolt Music Conference in Miami after he got an opportunity to ask questions during the A&R session but ended up dropping rap lines and hopping on stage.
In the crowd was the legendary P Diddy, who stood and clapped — before calling him over and giving him a hug as he was escorted off stage by security personnel.
The most prominent, however, is Brian Soko who has produced award-winning hits for some of the biggest artistes on the planet.
With a Grammy and three BMIs, he is among the most sought-after hip-hop beat-makers in the world.
He has worked on Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love”, Lil Wayne’s “No Worries”, Rich Gang’s “100 Favours” and “Tap Out”, Cassper Nyovest’s “Phumakim” and KO’s “Mission Statement”.
He displayed his vocal abilities when he featured on Chad Da Don’s “EFT”, a hit single he also produced.
As the big day in Zim hip-hop approaches, what should music fans look forward to?
Zim Hip-Hop Awards administrator, Sean Campbell, says the organising team has done its best to revamp the whole thing.
“We have been consulting various stakeholders and music gurus in order to find solutions for areas that needed improvement. Our preparations are now at an advanced stage and we are promising a memorable event.
“Since we released the list of nominees, we have received positive feedback from various stakeholders including the media and I am sure the adjudication team did their best to ensure smooth awards,” says Campbell.
In interviews with The Sunday Mail Leisure most hip-hop artistes said they were looking forward to the new-look awards.
Trae Yung, who has been nominated for the People’s Choice Award as well as the Best Song Award, said she was excited to be part of those in the running for the honours.
“I am definitely excited about the whole thing because being nominated shows that people recognise the work that I am doing. These awards are significant in that they push us as artistes to work harder,” says Trae Yung.
She adds: “I think things will be different this year and I am hoping that everything is going to be clear and fair because I believe that awards should be given to people who deserve them.”
Another rapper, Noble Styles, who is up for the Best Freestyle Award, says he is happy with some of the changes.
“I think that this year’s ceremony is going to be better than the previous years due to some of the changes that these new guys have implemented. These awards are usually dominated by artistes from Harare but you will realise that this year Bulawayo is in the mix, a clear sign that the organisers have managed to decentralise these awards.”
Hip-hop in Zimbabwe might not be as popular as in South Africa, Kenya or Nigeria, but it has a great future.
This vast potential is the reason why some corporates and individuals are now stepping in to invest in the culture.
One of the companies that have been channelling resources towards development of Zim hip-hop is Platinum Entertainment, which is now responsible for organising the annual Zim Hip-Hop Awards.
Platinum Entertainment has a proven track record in the entertainment scene with their innovations bringing life to many leisure spots in Harare.
From turning Motor Action Sports Club into one of the most vibrant leisure spots in Harare to transforming the defunct Book Café (now Volt) into an exclusive club, the company’s capabilities are not to be overlooked.
Most of the noise that has emanated from previous editions had something to do with controversial nominations, adjudication and winners.
Campbell has, however, pledged that this time around things are going to be different as they have put measures in place to ensure better transparency.
In August, organisers held a stakeholders meeting where all interested parties were invited to contribute to formulating solutions to the problems of the past.
With the help of music veterans like Professor Fred Zindi, Mathias Bangure and Shingirai Sebeta, the organisers are confident of pulling off an exceptional event. Bulawayo-based rapper Cal Vin, real name Mgcini Calvin Nhliziyo, is leading the nomination list with his name appearing in seven categories (Best Video, Best Album, Best Male, Best Collabo, People’s Choice, Best Producer and Song of the Year).
The ceremony is not just about awards — hip-hop artistes will also get an opportunity to showcase their skills.
The performance line-up features Tehn Diamond, Stunner, Probeats, Briss Mbada and Guluva Seven, among others. The hip-hop awards were established in 2011 by Aldrin Harrison and Alexander Mutumha to promote the genre. Held every second week of December, the awards continue to grow and attract sponsorship.
