by Jane Munaki Nkomo
African Women Arise(AWA) is an award winning Zimbabwean hiphop artist,she joined us in conversation as we discussed the growth and rise of Zimhiphop,putting her musical journey on the spotlight with our 5/5 questions heres what she had to say.
How would you describe your sound and what is the inspiration behind?
I blend hiphop with the Ndebele Culture to produce a distinct sound;i rap in Ndebele and i wear African attires when i rap because i want to grow as much as i can but stay true to my roots its who i am and i want to tell Zimbabwean stories.
I blend hiphop with the Ndebele Culture to produce a distinct sound;i rap in Ndebele and i wear African attires when i rap because i want to grow as much as i can but stay true to my roots its who i am and i want to tell Zimbabwean stories.
How is the hiphop scene like in Zimbabwe?
Hiphop in Zimbabwe is growing but we still have a long way to go,many people have told me that they dont listen to local hiphop because it sounds like an immitation of American rappers and their way of life and even choice of words,i think as artists we must also make music that people can relate to instead of keeping up with western trends we must create our own sound which people all over the world can only find in Zimbabwe that way our music will be in demand,"i hope" i wish we had more festivals like Shoko Festival and Jibilika but we will get there.
Hiphop in Zimbabwe is growing but we still have a long way to go,many people have told me that they dont listen to local hiphop because it sounds like an immitation of American rappers and their way of life and even choice of words,i think as artists we must also make music that people can relate to instead of keeping up with western trends we must create our own sound which people all over the world can only find in Zimbabwe that way our music will be in demand,"i hope" i wish we had more festivals like Shoko Festival and Jibilika but we will get there.
As a Female Hiphop artist do you feel the need to emulate what the male artists do for you to be on the same level with them.
No i do not feel the need to emulate what they do or say for me to fit in,i chose to embrace my femininity in hiphop when i chose the name African Women Arise(AWA) most of my songs address issues that affect women,as one of the few women in the hiphop industry i think its very important to have woman to woman conversations through my music,its hiphop for all ears with women in mind.
No i do not feel the need to emulate what they do or say for me to fit in,i chose to embrace my femininity in hiphop when i chose the name African Women Arise(AWA) most of my songs address issues that affect women,as one of the few women in the hiphop industry i think its very important to have woman to woman conversations through my music,its hiphop for all ears with women in mind.
What is your take on "Beef" in hiphop?
Beef has always been a part of hiphop,rap battles,diss tracks and it even gets physical sometimes personally i am not on that lane but i would not hesitate to retaliate if one attacks me.
Beef has always been a part of hiphop,rap battles,diss tracks and it even gets physical sometimes personally i am not on that lane but i would not hesitate to retaliate if one attacks me.
If you had the power to change one thing in Zimhiphop what would it be and why?
Wow im glad you asked,i would change a lot of things and start with peoples negative attitudes torwards local hiphop,yes i admit sometimes the music is not that good but there are a lot of good hiphop albums that Zimbabweans are sleeping on for example;Synik Sin City the good music is there people should just pay attention to it follow what is happening locally in the hiphop scene,they will wonder why they haven't been following all along.I would also create more platforms to help hiphop artists to showcase their talent,market and distribute their music.
Wow im glad you asked,i would change a lot of things and start with peoples negative attitudes torwards local hiphop,yes i admit sometimes the music is not that good but there are a lot of good hiphop albums that Zimbabweans are sleeping on for example;Synik Sin City the good music is there people should just pay attention to it follow what is happening locally in the hiphop scene,they will wonder why they haven't been following all along.I would also create more platforms to help hiphop artists to showcase their talent,market and distribute their music.
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