Artistes recording under a new Zim hip-hop sub-genre, shebeen rap are making waves and probably reaping the rewards of creating a new sound.
Shebeen rap is a fusion of a South African genre degong, that was popular in the 90s and Afro-beats while adding some elements of new school hip-hop sound.
The genre’s presence is being felt on the local showbiz if the current developments are anything to go by.
One of shebeen rap ambassadors Tanaka “Ndonzi Beatx” Moyo was recently invited to perform in Rwanda at the Accountability Lab show where he shared the stage with the African rhumba star Fally Ipupa.
The show was meant for artistes who raise awareness on social responsibility.
Also, the genre has bagged six nominations at the forthcoming Zim hip-hop awards set for December 8 in the capital.
Some of the artistes that are pushing shebeen rap are Dingo Duke, Dough Major and producers like DJ Zedaz and Case Btz.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style, Ndonzi Beatx said the genre was addictive.
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“We live in an era of partying everyday, we celebrate to forget a lot of things so shebeen rap is like alcohol, when you listen to it you will get drunk and have this feeling of wanting more and more,” he said.
“Shebeen rap came from the greatest hits in Africa. We derived it from degong, Afro-beats and fused the old sound with our new school hip-hop. We started this genre and called it shebeen rap where music is the alcohol that makes people enjoy all the time.”
Ndonzi Beatz said they were inspired by Chitungwiza-based singer Shingirai “Tanto Wavie” Makaza who has also formed his own type of sound called TrapSu which mixes trap and sungura genres.
He has released Amasungura, a six-track album as validation for his creativity.
“We have a dream to make shebeen rap our country’s main influential hip-hop sound. These Drill and Afro-pop sounds are not our genre, we need to have our own sound like TrapSu from Tanto Wavie, as we want to be recognised internationally in future,” he said.
Ndonzi Beatx, who records with Ward 5 Silverplate Records, recently released a single titled 24/7 which features Dough Major.
He is expecting to release his debut album next year.
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