DJ BlakAwt: Road to the Beat Tape

BlakAwt: Beat maker growing hip hop 

Artist: BlakAwt 

Trade: Beat maker/ Producer 

 

Hip Hop is a growing and vibing culture in Zimbabwe. Many artists have gained national and even regional fame.  The modern version of culture comprises of rappers, which encompasses battlers, freestylers and song makers, dancers, graphic designers, graffiti artists, videographers, DJs and beat makers. This article is about the latter. And a name that surfaces is DJ BlakAwt hailing from Mpopoma in Bulawayo. 

 

BlakAwt is a passionate and talented hip hop producer. He is one of the pioneers of gangster Ndebele rap, Mgiqika Cyphers with the late Don. He has been instrumental in inspiring the careers of many rappers from Mpopoma all the way to Emganwini. BlakAwt also produced the memorable track, ‘Twelve disciples of the Cypher’ produced at the former DOPE Studios and featured established kats like Cal_Vin and Floppy X. Lyricists like M-One, Mistar T, Kingson Mac and Psycho Tek  made graceful appearances among the star studded cast representing NK 9 and the Bulawayo culture as a whole. By means of this beat tape, he will be the first to bring Bulawao and Soweto together on one project.

 

BlakAwt, now based in South Africa, has initiated a movement to promote what he calls the most essential component to hip hop, whether underground or mainstream, Beat making. Without beats, most tracks would simply be poetry or lamentations. In this regard, he is putting together a Beat Tape to promote the art and trade of producers. He has put together a group of +35 beat makers, with room for growth, and as a collective will be putting out beat tapes on a regular so that beat makers get recognition, showcase their skills and be able to sell their works so as to make a living. 

 

The idea is to provide a platform for access to not only locally produced beats but to also highlight this as a viable business. Many artists and producers are short changed and under paid. BlakAwt hopes this initiative will see a boost in received revenue towards beat makers and the industry in Zimbabwe as a whole. 

 

The first of this movement will be launched May 2020. Look out for what the beasts in beats have to offer. Keep your pockets full because these producers are promising nothing but fire. 

 

If you need your music reviewed, previewed please hit us up on our  

Facebook page: Word: The Magazine   and on our  

WhatsApp number +263782695968