Day Light Citizen (DLC) — a Mpopoma-based upcoming hip-hop outfit — has pledged to transform the Western hip-hop genré to the Zimbabwean culture in a bid to appeal to local fans.
SHARON SIBINDI OWN CORRESPONDENT
The group comprising five passionate youngsters — Mildred Mandere, Methembe Ndlovu, Mwezi Mwezi and Thembelani Nkomo — said it was aware that most local hip-hop artistes were struggling to make a breakthrough in the genré popular in Western countries hence the need to come up with a sub-genré which would appeal to unpredictable Bulawayo music fans.
Hip-hop ,which became popular at the turn of the millennium, has in the past been rejected by music lovers who find the genré alien to their culture.
However, in the northern part of the country artistes have managed to come up with a sub-genré known as “urban grooves” modelled around hip-hop and has a ready market in Harare.
“We are aware that hip-hop music is not popular in Zimbabwe hence it is very hard to make a breakthrough,” Ndlovu the group spokesperson said.
“However, our core business as newcomers looking forward to cut teeth in this grisly industry is coming up with a sub-genré modelled around hip-hop so that we appeal to local fans since music is about followership.
“Our thrust is to popularise the Zimbabwean culture as minister Andrew Langa said during the Nama awards. We want to popularise Bulawayo culture and carry the message of young people across the country. We see ourselves as messengers of youths whose voice is curtailed,” Ndlovu added.
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Ndlovu said his group, unlike other local hip-hop outfits recognised the significance of indigenous languages in packaging their messages through music hence they sing in local languages.
The upcoming outfit has two singles under their name. For You — a song dedicated to young people and produced under Face the Music in 2013 — and Thousand Stars, a romantic song released in 2013.
The youngsters envisage getting airplay on local radio stations so they could get recognition before embarking on other challenging projects such as compiling music videos.
