"Panotinhira" another Kay Gee hit

Artist: Kay Gee 40 and Tension

Track: Panotinhira

Production: Mr Noxa (TMG Records)

Kay Gee 40 has been enjoying quite some airplay with his current hit track, “Jack Sparrow.” This has not made him slack at all. In fact he is back in the studio and cooking up what seems to be a banger with dancehall sensation, Tension. The song is entitled “Panotinhira” and will be released on the 1st of June 2020. Working with TMG Records and produced by Mr Noxa, whom he did his runaway hit track, “Sterek,” with, “Panotinhira” is set to be on major radio stations for the enjoyment of the masses. Kay Gee’s dream is to on everyone’s playlist and he is surely putting in the work. Look out for the track on 1 June on his social media:

YouTube: Kay Gee 40

Twitter: @kaygee40

Facebook: Kay Gee 40

Instagram: @kaygee40zw

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The Revelations by Stewie Le Savage

Artist: Stewie Le Savage

Track: The Revelations

Link:   YouTube: https://youtu.be/vD1ZgXn3Wt4

Stewie Le Savage is a spoken word and House music artist based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The track saw an Africa Day release and is available for streaming and download on all major online stores. The Revelations is a fusion of Spoken word and AmaPiano House and is to ask questions of the Christian community and how prepared they are for judgment day. Stewie ads this to his tracks on social commentary and helps people to evaluate their lives and how they are living and the hereafter after they die. The Revelations is a track that Stewie really wanted to deliver a message and fused all three major languages, Ndebele, English and Shona into it.

The track was produced by Shuza Drums and Tha Dawg with the video having done by Brintz Online. You can get a hold of Stewie Le Savage on his social media:

Instagram: @stewielesavage

Facebook: @stewielesavage

Twitter: StewieLeSavage

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Thain, Looking over "My City"

Artist: Thain from Kingsville

Track: My city

Release date: TBA

Links: Thain from Kingsville on all social media

Thain is a Hip Hop artist hailing from the city of thick queens and dope kings, Bulawayo. Thain recently moved to Harare to carry on his hustle, but still represents Bulawayo. As an affiliate to Kingsville Records, Thain is working his album as a follow up on an EP titled 409 he released in November 2019. For the EP he has also shot two videos that are yet to be released.

‘My city’ is a track where Thain expresses his feelings of missing home. He goes in about the grind and everyday life with hommies and how he will always represent Skies city no matter where the hustle takes him. Thain is clearly passionate about where he is from. He has also represented Kingsville in a recently released cypher, Hatcliffe Cypher Vol.1, which features the likes of Nicklaine, Chipman, Lil Pac and Trishae. Follow this link to watch it here.  https://youtu.be/cScLW3Zv5co

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Even Bosses Got Feelings preview

Artist: RapThan

Project: Even bosses got feelings [EBGF]

Twitter: @D_T_R_zw

When one talks of bosses, they refers to leaders, mavericks in the community. Bosses, as used by RapThan, are the big guys that lead their respective industry. They go through hell for their subordinates. They set examples of courage, strength and boldness to all who see them. This, however, does not mean they are not super human nor immune to physical, mental and emotional pain.

On the back drop of a heartbreak inflicted by the girl he thought was his beginning and end, his baby mama, RapThan produced this EP to share his story. He felt his friends and fans were not understanding how a person of his stature, being the leader of a label, could be so emotional and broken over a heartbreak. He has taken it upon himself to express his story and show that as much as he is a boss in his own right, he has feelings too.

The EP is set to feature industry riders like Rockie DoUb of the Monate Fela’ fame and award winner Floppy X of ‘Ngdakwe ngahamba ngeface’ fame. Three more tracks will be added to the compilation with a scheduled online release for early June. Winter is surely coming and will be bringing a lot of music with it. 

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Rulah ZW: Born in the Trap

Personality: Rulah ZW aka Shaun Edward

Role: Hip Hop influencer

The new millennium has seen new forms of the Hip Hop culture emerge. From skaters, to boppers and now we have personalities that represent the genre and are as much a part of it as any other aspect in the game. Rulah is one such personality. 

Born in the late 90s, Rulah was exposed to hip hop music early on with the main stream acts like 50 Cent, Eminem and Snoop Dogg. Now that he has found his footing with the current flow of rap music in trap and soul, Rulah has been following international acts from Bryson Tiller to Isiah Rashad and Dave East among the many he bumps to. This doesn’t mean he has no love for local flavor.

Rulah has a local top five of Zimbabwean rappers mostly from Bulawayo. Included in his list is the on fire Rockie DoUb, Excellence’s very own J. Garnet of the ‘Maleeh’ fame, Skiiny (DAV) also known for his graphic designing skills, Ashley Kempton and M-One who wrote the classic Holy_Mic track. Rulah says 2019 saw Excellence Music Records aiming for the skies as they produced an in-house mixtape, an EP for Martin Jona Tao, a series of singles by J. Garnet and KoKo and the rise of Club Excellence the blog site for promoting local artists and their works.

When asked what he sees as the future of Zim hip hop, he believes Bulawayo rap is the next big thing. He cited that there is a lot of talent in the city and various stables and movements have been putting the city on the map. Rulah says moves like having local radio stations playing Bulawayo artists has not only improved general quality of locally produced music but also increased the number of music available to the public so they also know what‘s going on with their local celebrities. He also mentioned that events like the Color Fest, Bigger than Hip Hop (BTHH) and the Annual August Rush (AAR) have helped put some artists on the map and have provided a platform for other artists to bloom and shine.

Rulah is a staunch believer in local talent and wishes to see all of them put in the work and hours so as to produce high quality music and videos and compete with international counterparts. Rulah encourages unity among artists and says the one way Bulawayo can rise is if artists work together to build the game and see them played internationally. Rulah is no hater and shares everybody’s links throughout his network freely. Get a hold of him on his social media

Instagram: RulahZW

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Umfazi Katshaywa: Promoting peace in the home

Artist: BleckHit

Track: Umfazi katshaywa

Album: The Advocate

Link: https://m.soundcloud.com/user-188344252/bleckhit-umfazi-katshaywa

#Qiniso_Rap

BleckHit, the Ndebele rap advocate gives us more of his new flavor, Qiniso rap with his single, “Umfazi katshaywa” extracted from his latest album, “The Advocate.” 

Acting as a social commentator, BleckHit here touches on an issue quite precedent in our local communities. Here he speaks to men encouraging them to treat their women, wives, mothers and daughters as precious goods. He describes them as flowers that beautify the world. With negative behavior that hurts and even kills women, men are in essence making the world an ugly place. How then should one expect respect and honor when all your partner knows is fear?

The outspoken BleckHit also speaks against child marriages exposing some religions and cultural rituals where people use young women as fortune trinkets, treatments or cures for life long illnesses and baby making machines. He encourages men to honor their vows and love their women as they would their own bodies. Gender based violence activism is very potent in Zimbabwe and can never preached enough. It is a good thing to see artists produce music with a positive message and get airplay.

The song is well produced. The instrumental has a feel of rap and dancehall to it making it easy to listen to. BleckHit did the entire song including the backing vocals and chorus. The track is currently topping the charts on Skyz Metro Fm and is enjoying good airplay. This is encouraging because it shows that not all entertainment and hip hop music making waves is about recreation, money and ‘hustling’.

I will take this opportunity also to discourage violence in the home and abuse of any kind. Be it physical, verbal, mental, economic or social. Both men and women, find better and humane means to communicate or express yourselves. We all need each other and the world is a better place when there is peace in the home.

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. 

 

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Siyathandaza’: Motivation by Luminous

 

Artist(s) – Luminous Ft. Juandez Apongo, Mawizza, Donny Chords and GTI 

Track – Siyathandaza 

Production – Represent Beats 

Artwork – Marko Designs 

Link – 

https://bit.ly/2YI84vu

  

One of the singles from his “Driven” album, Siyathandaza is one gem by Luminous. The track is a feel good anthem and samples the popular church hymn “Inzima lindlela” once done a cover for by Sandra Ndebele. Represent beats had an idea and Luminous in studio, the two part chorus was done and a motivational gospel rap song was born. 

 

It is everyone’s dream to be happy and find a measure of success in life. This song touches on exactly that. Represent Beats, being an active producer that he is, brought in the rap features in the track. Mawizza, Donny Chords and GTI are well known rappers in the Bulawayo circuit and based on their history alone are relevant features on such a track. It was easy for them to express their desires which produced a balance in the overall track. 

 

Juandez Apongo, my first time hearing of him, has some clean vocals. Luminous brought him in for the singing and bridge and surely got that down. A lot of talent is on this track. The amazing thing is how they took an old and very Ndebele concept, fused it with hip hop and gave it new life. It is an easy sing along to track that surely boosts one spirit. 

 

Please check out the stream for the track and get yourself “Driven” for the better things in life, spiritually, 

 

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Msiz'kay does it again (Ngawuzw' umoya wami track preview)

Artist(s) – Msiz’kay Ft. AWA Khiwe and Mzoe 7 

Track – Ngawuzw’ umoya wami 

YouTube – 

https://youtu.be/o-99ozxhlbl

  

At the back of a successful album, Msiz’kay once again has come to rock our ear buds with beautiful sounds of African melody. Adding sugar to our already sweetened pallets, Msiz’kay here features amazing talent in AWA Khiwe of the Ndebele Rap Queen fame and the enegetic Mr Gagagugu, Mzoe 7. 

 

The setting?  Two lovers going through an altercation then the one starts to give attention to another. A scenario common in our society. Yawuzwa umoya wakho uphuleka. A story of love, lust and jealousy. This track fuses hip hop with modern day afro pop and the production is good utilizing in full the technology now available linking artists based abroad on one project. 

 

The song was inspired by the trio wanting to give the people the familiar yet painful story in an entertaining presentation. The beat was sent out which AWA and Mzoe vibed to instantly. Creative backing vocals for the chorus were added by Mzoe for that extra flair and flex for the masses. AWA is amazing with her delivery, diction and emotional expression. The trio bring the song to life and hope the masses enjoy it as much as they enjoyed creating it.  

 

This is the first single off Msiz’kay’s upcoming album to be released later in the year. He promises great production and relatable stories that his fans and more can vibe to and share.  

‘ Ngawuzw’ umoya wami’ is available for streaming on YouTube 

 

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I'm back _ Lee_Zie Taylor anñounces her return

Artist: Lee_Zie Taylor

Track: I’m back

Production: K-Switch

Mixing and Mastering: K-Bling

Genre: Urban Hip Hop

Lee_Zie Taylor, the name that raises heads in the local music scene. She is an upcoming femcee who has taken steps to ensure her rise will be undeniable this time around. Her latest offering, I’m back,’ is a strong call reminding the big BYO that she is the missing leader of the game. Going in with an explicit type of flow, Lee_Zie minces no words in her claim to clean up the streets from the weak rappers flooding it.

In the past year she has been around many platforms and performing at various shows. At some of these she used to share the stage with the infamous Whinn Queenz. I’m back also serves to assert that she is not and has never been a part of the exotic dance group Whinn Queenz. The song has a catchy hook and uptempo trap beat. Production is a collaboration of K-Switch and K-Bling. 

Overall rating. I give the track a 3/5mics. Note could havrbeen done with production and lyrical delivery. Lee_Zie is potentially one of the hottest fencers to hit the sound waves. Hope to hear note from her.

F: Lee_Zie Taylor

T: @LeeziekTaylor

Ig: Lee_Zie Taylor

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