We live in an environment which is highly paced and the culture of artistic appreciation has become kinetic with a demand for the more groovy sounds. Entertainment has also played a very central therapeutic effect on us all as it helps us to channel our emotion in the expression of joy.
It is of note that House music has taken precedence over many youth, and its captivating elements in the rhythm and groove and trance effect being a draw.
The Rebellious Suhnz is an Afro Tech House music trio from Bulawayo that uses the art of sound and its rhythmic resonance as a tool of stimulating the feel good factor on the audience.
One of the group members of the trio Emmanuel Jonas highlighted how the need to feel good and jovial is a key component of the human pleasure system, and can be stimulated whenever we listen to music that moves a person such as Afro Tech House.
“It is a genre that fuses different ambient sounds that are percussive and electric, coupled with good vocals or poetry. Our group is a trio which comprises of Emmanuel Jonas also known as DJ Channell and he is also the percussionist; sound engineer; and song writer,” Jonas said.
The group also comprises of Gladwell Ncube who is also known as “Swazii ë King” and is a voice over artist; remixer and Deejay. A third member of the group is George Dube also known as “George Verdaman” and he is a producer, remixer and DJ.”
The name “Rebellios Suhnz” evokes a sense of radicalism which is usually taken in the negative as our societal set up and societal norms don’t encourage a sense of rebellion from the youth. In as much I feel its relevance as the meaning of rebellion, it is however something that can be attached and related to advocacy which is to fight for a cause with an artistic root and base.
“The story that our name evokes is not that of ‘violent protest’, but a stern way to introduce our ‘Afro Tech Sound’ and value the power of storytelling through sound. It is about going out of the typical musical norm which has characterised the house music genre and introduces a new dynamism and strength which in the process will create an exportable sound internationally. We are the rebels of a new sound culture and the stimulation of the feel good vibe,” Ncube added.
Afro tech is a genre that originated from South Africa with a blend of Kwaito, tribal beats, and deep and soulful House music.
Examples of Afro Tech artists include Black Coffee, Floyd Lavine, Zakes Bantwini, Cristian Vici and Sun El Musician. It is a genre that combines elements of traditional, African type of music with modern electronic and techno sound.
Our appearances have been at the Matobo Gin Festival, Fun in the Sun Festival and we got to share the stage with Sun El Musician from South Africa, All Black Party which featured Sir Trill and the Garden Of House which feature Dj Nite Freak, and Deeper Mr Stripes to mention a few.
“People in Zimbabwe are beginning to understand Afro tech. It has become popular in Bulawayo's vibrant club scene and Dj hangouts such as Sunday Deep house “chillas” hosted by a group of DJs known as the Chronicles of House Nation,” Jonas said.
We are also now resident DJs at the Balcony where we usually do different sets and host different guest DJs and musicians.”
Ncube also chipped in: “In our chillas sessions, we encourage the mentality of being open minded and being free. It is at these sessions that people get to relax and listen to good music and ease the tension within them. We are using the power of music to get a therapeutic effect that can bring joy and completion to a person, especially to many of the youth who remain victims to depression.”
Many of the youth, and especially artists remain victim to suicide which is driven by depression, drug addiction and bottled anger and frustration. Social support networks from peers can therefore play a role in the reduction of the many cases of suicide which are on the increase and encourage the expression of bottled emotions.
Art forms such as music and the power of sound have a therapeutic effect on the listener as they can help calm the emotion and through dance and the expression of joy the listener gets to experience relief which is a characteristic of the feel good factor.
Jonas explained: “I find the “chillas” sessions important to House music lovers and House producers because that is when we meet and do our listening sessions. For those who play their own productions, it helps them a lot as they gain constructive criticism from others. There are a series of networks which we are building so as to grow our art into more international platforms and be known”.
On challenges faced by the group, Ncube highlighted how being a DJ in Zimbabwe is characterised by a low revenue payout from streaming as it is the current way of selling and exporting music in the digital era.
He said finance hurdles are the biggest factor hindering the success of their careers as the music sector in Zimbabwe is not very lucrative especially with regard to new genres such as Afro-tech.
“One of the challenges and the most painful encounters has been that of being ripped by someone who masquerades as a music manager and promoter.
“This hurts the progress of an artist as the music the artist creates or we as DJs play is usually the source of our revenue and livelihood,” Jonas said.
“Being a DJ is also seen, and is associated with being a drunkard, a player or womanizer which is totally unfair and is a stereotype that society needs to overlook.”
As June reflects on suicide awareness issues, especially those affecting men, it remains imperative that the power of sound must be used to reduce depression and stress and incalcate a spirit of hope for a brighter future and the strengthening of self-capacitance.
- *Raymond Millagre Langa is musician, poet, orator, independent researcher and founder of Indebo edutainment Trust. You can follow on Face Book @Millagre Ray Langa, on Twitter you can follow on #Millagre Langa, email. millagrepapito@gmail.com or indebotrust@gmail.com.
