The music scene is not the easiest thing to break into. It has so many variations and so many barriers to entry. Take a look at how the Zimbabwe Hip Hop Awards are handled every year. The whole Samora divide is kinda silly and has actually become an actual divide with regards to how we actually consume hip hop in Zimbabwe. Everyone has a high school rapper they fell in love with and probably never got to be heard again. Dem Boiz is a classic example of such a scenario.
We need more support for the music we like. Here is a list of emerging artists from Zimbabwe
01. Tasha
Its no doubt that Tasha has proved herself to be a very versatile artist. I first heard Tasha on an amvis instrumental when she dropped “Crew” back in 2018. While the crew was a dope listen. This wasn’t enough to make me a stan, but with her consistency, it is hard not to notice her as she comes through the hip hop scene in Zimbabwe. On her journey, she has collaborated with the likes of Guspy Warrior, Ishan and Beatsmith, Nutty O and even brought Tazziey out of hiatus. These collaborations have made her even more visible in the scene. Her young age gives her time to perfect and grow her craft.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TashaXIX
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tasha_musiq
02. H3nry
I don’t quite remember the first song I heard from this lad but it should have been a Hilzy feature. The first thoughts were this is some other rich kid who thinks they can be Hov because they got some time to go to a recording studio. After some actual consumption of the Tutor series, his music grew on me and I actually enjoyed it. Over time it turns out I am not the only one. H3 has gotten nods from Bryson Tiller and was an empawa Top 100 finalist. The way he has evolved as an artist is something you can actually hear in his music.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/H33nryy
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/h33nryy
Hanna (via Instagram)
03. Hanna
Hanna is a South African based Zimbabwean artist and at just 20 years old she already boasts of nods from Nasty C and Mr Eazi through the emPawa program. Her emPawa video Peace was really a work of art. She also falls under the list of Zimbabwean artists that emPawa brought into my light and I am truly grateful. Her music is dope and likes it. She also has some tracks she dropped last year like Gimme, and a couple of features with other upcoming acts like Drew the MC & Jabba. Being a female rapper is not an easy task but Hanna does it with ease.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnigist
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/therealnigist
04. King 98
King 98 has got to be the most interesting on this list. Listing to his features and performances would surely make him one of Zimbabwe’s top upcoming acts. The reception of his music has not been the friendliest. I first got a listen to the Nasty C show concert last year. I will always remember what Davido said during his Francesca album launch this year, that they are the same because he faced the same adversity when he was trying to break out of music too…,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialKing98/
Soundcloud: https://www.instagram.com/king98official
05. Garry Mapanzure
I have to be honest. I did not know Garry up until the emPawa frenzy. After doing some research and some youtube listens. The guy has been around for some while. I am actually embarrassed that it took an outsider to put me on Garry’s music. His soft RnB vibe kinda reminds me of a modern-day urban groove’s, Rolls and Royce. By now most have heard Slow Jam or even the Hilzy feature TV room and he is certified by my standard, really good
Twitter: https://twitter.com/garry_mapanzure
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-458787740
Zimbabwe is full of talent, apparently is what most of us might say. but for some they get to say, they learnt in the same high school class with these future great artists. I know I will get to say I wrote about them. I only have one request for all these artists. Please give us more music
Caring for the finer things in life, I like the world. Just look at it and you will see. Chief Financial Officer at 7:30, where I manage the company’s finances and also an editor at Check Your Time