SIX award-winning Zimbabwe hip-hop artistes are set to embark on a musical tour of neighbouring South Africa in early March. SINDISO DUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT
The tour is being arranged by organisers of the Zimbabwe Hip-Hop Awards and the touring troupe will showcase local hip-hop and exchange notes with their South African counterparts.
In an interview with Southern Eye Lifestyle, Zimbabwe Hip-Hop Awards director Beefy Harrison said the visit would open a lot of avenues for the local hip-hop scene.
“Artistes will be interviewed on South African radio stations and Africa’s prestigious television Channel O, among other channels,” he said.
“Besides that they will meet the big names of South African hip-hop, from rappers to producers, so as to share industry experience and hopefully collaborate.
“The purpose of the tour is for artistes to learn more about the industry and show people abroad what Zimbabwe has to offer.”
He said the upcoming tour was the first of the many initiatives they had in store for hip-hop lovers and artistes.
“This is the beginning; we will tour other foreign countries as time goes on,” he said.
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“We have a lot in the pipeline as we believe this is the year for hip hop to take its position.”
Tehn Diamond, real name Tendai Nguni, who won best male artiste and video of the year for his song Happy and best album for Few King, which he produced with Jnr Brown at the 2013 edition of the Zim Hip-Hop Awards, will lead the touring pack.
Other artistes will be revealed with time.
Mzansi hip-hop has taken the continent by storm with the rise of stars such as Cassper Nyovest, AKA, KO, DJ Virgi and Duncan, among others.
The genré is made interesting by strong rivalry, for instance, AKA versus Cassper Nyovest.
In Zimbabwe, there is a battle between Harare and Bulawayo rappers.
