Zimbabwean hip hop is a variety of hip hop music that is popular in Zimbabwe. It emerged in the early 1990s. Prominent artists include Young Gemini,[1]Noluntu J,[2] Voltz JT ,Br3eze,[3] Ti Gonzi, Junior Brown, Calvin, Saintfloew, Holy Ten, Trey Heart, Asaph , Kriss Newtone,[4]Suhn, Denim Woods, Hanna, Tanto Wavie, Tehn Diamond, Synik, Maskiri, T3rry Tempo,[5] TreyXL, Munetsi, Bling4, Tha Bees, Bagga We Ragga, Yadish Da Chronic, Raykaz, Dough Major, Dingo Duke and Dilly1Buck.
History
1990–2000
10 years after independence, hip hop hit the Streets of Zimbabwe. The youth of Zimbabwe embraced it. The earliest recordings were mostly on vinyl and tapes.The Low income earners could not afford High Quality Equipment. The mainstream acts of the time were Piece of Ebony, Fortune Muparutsa [with rap verses on songs like "Rumors" (1991)], and Midnight Magic with songs like "Blackness" featuring Mau Mau. Since most vinyl records and cassette tapes are no longer playable, Zimbabwe lost much of its earlier catalog, from which later generations could have drawn inspiration.
This also limits the opportunities to sample from predecessors. During the 3rd and 4th quarter of this period,initiative and leadership influence of Innocent Tshuma (then known as the Millennium Man), saw the youths developing the genre. The Lifestyle and Culture began to adopt American Hip hop trends, leaning less on the stagnant local Mbira Hip hop - exported globally by groups like Zimbabwe Legit, hip hop remained Universal to other genres such as Museve, Reggae, Kwaito, Jazz, Choral, Sungura, Maskandi and South African House Music. In 2016, Rappers like Takura gathered a following. Becoming one of the first to be recognized during stiff competition with Zimdancehall.
2001–present
Since 2001 Rappers and Project Managers have branched out to form their own brands, record labels, and radio stations. The need for the Voice drove their grip on the industry and diluted their power in distribution, influence, airplay, and the ability to predict the next big Rapper. Rappers began selling CDs in the streets, the value of a Rapper in Zimbabwe was the same as a good laugh joke. Events Witnessed Projects such as Mashoko and the Circle in Harare uplifting and popularizing Hip hop Rappers and emcees like Osama, Outspoken, Synik, Upmost, Godobori, Aura, Blackbird (now known as Temple), among others. Other Rappers implemented politics into their music design and started movements such as House of Hunger.
Mashoko became a success to a once-a-month festival known as Shoko Fest, which included international acts like Hired Gun and Akala, among others who have staged in Zimbabwe. Many Zimbabwean emcees perform at these Events, ongoing since 2010. The same year, Zim Hip Hop Awards began.
With Developments to the Havard Project Manager, Rappers have used online platforms to adopt digital distribution channels such as Distrokid and Amazon Music. Music videos and promotional Content are now used to secure Commissions. Prolific artists are now hiring or being approached by Private Sector to handle their affairs in a more professional manner.
In 2018 female Rapper Tashamiswa gained popularity. She became one of the most important female participants. Currently, Rappers like Akim Denzil and Boy Nino are dominating the genre but are still being led by the legendary Murphy Cubic. In 2020, during the lockdown period, new era Rappers with English bars in a united the genre and the whole Country—including Suhn, Cyprian, Denim Woods, Kriss Newtone, Br3eze, Masimba, Hanna, Lucretius, and Raykaz. Kyla Blac is also an important figure in the genre with this subgenre "RnB" which is basically trap and RnB, New voices such as Dough Major and Dingo Duke emerged with a subgenre later called Shebeen rap, influenced by 90's Kwaito, Future Bass, Afrobeats and 1980's funk. Another voice has been constantly raising and creating a new Zim hip hop wave subgenred as Jecha trap influenced by a mixture of Zimbabwean hip hop culture mixed with other cultures from parts of Africa with fusioned with other styles like afro-swing, Maskandi rap, Melodical trap, Psychedelic rap and Conscious rap. The subgenre was created by Cyprian, an SA-based Zimbabwean rapper and his fellow friend and collaborator Mfundo Dyanose a.k.a. Killo Di King, a xhosa rapper from South Africa.
Another creative emerging is Dilly1Buck a producer and rapper making waves with music that resonates deeply with street culture. He's produced songs for notable artists like Dough Major, Dingo, Boy Tricky, and 9Gotti (Sony Ent.). His artistic reach extends globally also creating artworks for international artists such as Emerson Windy (USA), Keko (Uganda), YB, Jrock (under Young Chop's label ChopSquad), Joe Gator, and Calico Jones (signed by Big Meech's BMF). Among his celebrated local projects is the artwork for Dingo & Dough Major’s "From Shebeenia, with Love".
Style and influences
Influences
Hip hop's use of high Tech equipment, kept it fresh and relevant, re-birthed with each technological advancement like the Harvard Project Manager. America continued to exert the greatest influence. Many local acts use the same flow and drum kits used by their favorite United States Rappers and Hip hopProducers.
Zimbabwean Identity
A few acts are now moving away from the influence of American hip hop, branding themselves as kings, queens and faces of the generation. Some have resorted to remakes and remixes of old hit tracks, whereas others emphasize sampling traditional or folk songs and collaborating with each other Rappers and more established names from other genres. New Acts have seen a wide use of traditional languages Like (Shona and Ndebele), among 16 more Spoken Languages in Zimbabwe and incorporate Native instruments such as Mbira, Marimba, traditional drums or Hosho (shaker) which makes the new era sound named Amapiano,with leading Acts like Shumayela.[6] from the Amapiano Capital Movement in Bulawayo to Celebrate Local Music, While RnB Star Kyla Blac[7] and Boy Nino[8] proved that influencing, inspiring, or impressing International musicians is possible as their tracks were sampled or Recognized by South African Rapper Emtee, supporting the argument to establish distinct identities.
Media
Radio
Radio has boosted the genre, in part by broadcasting and implementing podcasts and shows to promote local content. Radio catalogs and podcasts are now a vital source of Entertainment for the generation Z who connect with the genre. Apart from airplay, some radio stations have segments dedicated to the genre.
Blogs are predominantly the drivers of Zim hip hop. One of the most influential writers was the late Donald "Dodger" Marindire whose work documented the culture for the past decade, inspiring many artists. Other media personalities that continue to document the culture include Thorne le roq, Mukudzeyi Mlambo, Specktrum, Khekhe, Takudzwa Chiwanza and Takudzwa "Manando" Kudzura.
