NguDoni - A knife in a 'Bar' fight - 'Sgebengu'

The definition

The rap world is known for producing classic music like ‘Dear Mama’ by the late Tupac, ‘Stan’ by legendary Eminem and conscious tracks like ‘The People’ by Common and ‘I salute you’ by KingPinn. However, what completes the 360 Circle of Hip Hop is when heads bump. This is when you get tracks, also classic, like Tupac’s ‘Hit em up’ and Common’s ‘The Bi**h in yoo.’ Bring all that heat to Zimbabwe and it is no different. Especially so in Bulawayo, the city of street kings.

The story

NguDoni, is one artist we have featured here and true to his brand, he has dropped another street gangster track titled, ‘Sgebengu’. Aggressive as ever, the song has the dark themes of gangster rap reminding you of that N.W.A. era. The track has the one element I like about a true dis track, when a brother gets off beat just to get a line in. make no mistake, it’s a well written and researched track based on actual events. 

‘Sgebengu’ , loosely translates to gangster or street hoodlum. NguDoni refers to himself as the protagonist in this track. “Limkhuze! Why lingamtsheli? Lentwana idlala lesgebengu.” This is pretty catchy for a chorus. And what of the bars? NguDoni name drops peeps like Jermain and Bubz, now the thing is this, I don’t even know how relevant these kats are to the hip hop game but seems they are an influence to some he refers to as ‘Fossil f**ks.’ BlakAwt is the one I’m putting my money on as the recipient of some of these ‘strays.’ Check the references to ‘Xolani’, Chakka Dolla and the unreleased 6220 track. All these are are associated to the ‘IAMBLAKAWT’ EP maker. Also, this alleged beef has even been featured in a popular Bulawayo Podcast. Click here to have a listen. 

The credit

NguDoni is clearly not afraid of anyone in the rap game. He has been consistent with his brand over the last half a decade bringing it to whoever wanted it. He has never backed down. One thing I do respect about him, he always acknowledges whoever he has mad respect for. In his list are people like Mlue jay, who also has a new track out, K Brizzy, Breemzy and MC Tytoh. Whether you call this d**k riding or not, its still kinda gangster to know who dope and take down who not. Check out the song on the link at the bottom and follow this saga on social media. 

See you on the next one.

Sgebengu - https://audiomack.com/ngudoni-1/song/sgebengu

NguDoni on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ngudoni?mibextid=ZbWKwL

NguDoni on X - https://x.com/NguDoniBYO?s=08

'I don't belong here' ThirstyFrik EP review

                           ThirstyFrik

ThirstyFrik is an all-out musician who produces, raps and sings. He gave us the club hit “Chokin’,” which sent waves through the Amapiano streets of Harare. ThirstyFrik has consistently been dropping singles in 2023 and he has dropped a body of works for his growing fanbase. His brand new EP with the provoking title, “I don’t belong here” is now out on various streaming platforms. Here is a review of the FOUR track EP according to how we heard it.

BuzzSaw. That’s the first word you think of when you hear “Hufananyina” soon as you play the number one track on the EP. The more you get into it, it begins to grow on you. It has a nice mixture of Shona and English lyrics. It features Runna Rulez who jumps in with a gutsy bar: “…. Ndiri under age but handisi Ben 10,….. Ndine glock 40 and I got his name pabara.” Translated it’s a flex basically saying ‘I’m young, good looking but I can’t be taken for a ride by the older ones. I got my bars ready and the hater’s name is on one bullet.’ Its my first time listening to him and I think he made a great feature. 

The second track is called “Thotty.” It’s a proper slow jam soul trap song with great production behind it. It is also the one track where the title of the EP is mentioned. By definition, a Thot is a woman who has multiple casual sexual partners or encounters. Basically a baddie. ThirstyFrik laced the track with some great vocals and a melody that’s catchy. This track gives you vibes like those slow and sensual club scenes. I can imagine the video with quite some thot in it (pun intended). It is easy to listen to and tones down from the vibe brought in from the first track. It is a good song and sure to rock the club scenes.

“Ukumbotemba nei” is a typical hip hop track where the rappers throw shots, parry hits, and place themselves on a pedestal either through interesting creative flows or straight up bars on bars. This one is more of talking smack about ‘wanna be’s’. weith lines like, “When I pull up with your b***h ndamupa raw, uchandidi!...... Pandomuka ndisina mari, I tell myself I gotta go. Musaganze nemota dzamunopihwa nemaMhomz.” As if that’s all, he also talks about “thots” again when he says, ‘Ma bhebhi akutyisa paunopfeka pfeka 3/ Ndanga ndina Kim achiedza kukwenya sinhi/ anga ane drop achisheedzera creamy.” Like really. In his eyes the streets are not safe so to speak as there are various sexually transmitted illnesses rampant out there. After mentioning the symptoms for gonorrhoea, it is everyone’s responsibility, who is sexually active to protect themselves by using protection, getting tested regularly with your partner(s) and practising safe sex always. Overall it is a hard banging track with a lot of that gangster feel and hip hop lovers are sure to get a kick out of this one.

The final track on the compilation features ‘pretty gal’ Bouje Shepretty. This is a new name to the circuits and you can tell it is one of her first times on a record. Her bars are a mix of flex, some history and origins story. As you are reading this, I am still playing the track specifically her verse. I would like to leave it open to your own interpretation and maybe hit me up with your thoughts about it. Both Thirstyfrik and Bouje claim in the chorus: ‘Ndiri pretty boy/girl, ndozvandiri….Gevha/Musikana akanaka vaifunga ndobva mhiri.’ This is the centre of the whole track. The instrumental has an interesting sample underlying from the introduction. It has a hard bass and a flow that gets your head rolling. Ladies and pretty boys are sure to set this as their anthem. 

‘I don’t belong here’ EP by Thirstyfrik is a well balanced piece of work although one or two more tracks could have really solidified it. The hard hitting bass on most of the tracks tells me the aim is for some club bangers with a hint of a message that a true hustler just does exactly that, Hustles. It comprises of great production and the sound is not lost from the Harare sound we have become accustomed to. Check it out for yourself on the links below, subscribe or follow the man Thirstyfrik and be sure to leave your comment below and tell me what you think about this review. 

Thirstyfrik - Hufananyina visualiser 

Thirstyfrik - I don't belong here EP

Mlue Jay's Shooter video review

Artist: Mlue_Jay

Video: Shooter

Links: https://song.link/i/1488014019

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mlue_jay

Instagram: @Mlue_Jay

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/mluejay

Website: www.ywlentertainment.tk

Mlue Jay is one artist from Zimbabwe that I have mad respect for. He take his art and his brand real serious. This gives you the impression that he knows what he is doing, where he is going and how he will get there. This was evidenced in his 2019 grind where he switched to sharing his through music store links. This is beneficial to the artist and for future endorsements. Mlue is now currently based in South Africa and seems to be doing well there for a bubbling act.

The video for the track ‘Shooter’ was shot in South Africa through YWL Entertainment. Mlue edited most and color graded the video himself. This shows how much knowledge one can have when they are in the arts industry as contrasted to letting others handle everything when you know nothing. This is also in line with the theme of the song. 

In ‘Shooter,’ Mlue talks about the need for independence as artists. He praises his own moves in learning more about his trade. He narrates how he has big dreams and is working to build a good life for his family. Promoting independence from external influences like record label, promoters and some sponsors. Mlue Jay here encourages hard work as artists and not to sit and wait for good things but instead to go out and hustle them out.

I would say the track is a good song although he could put in more effort on his lyricism. The video is good with a side story to it and the clips were neat and well balanced.

Overall rating: 3.5/5 mics

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