Introducing Kingsville’s finest, NAVY SEAL- press play!

If you thought Bulawayo had only one rapper to its name, you are in for a nasty surprise!

When you hear the name NavySeal , you think of one hard core, indestructable unit , which so happens to be the case with our star feature, NavySeal.

Kingsville’s next best star of our time

Born a few years ago in Zimbabwe,Masimba Sigauke has turned out to be one of the best gifts granted by the heavens to Zim Hip Hop. Having started as a little ‘Slim Shadey’, immitating the works of Eminem in high school, NavySeal was destined to become a master of the art.

Nature, fate or whatever it is had its own way of directing NavySeal to his microphone kingdom when he met Mcpotar, who had been writing his own songs and poetry pieces. The two automatically became friends because of their mutual love for hip hop.It is Mcpotar who then made NavySeal see the bigger picture, encouraged and taught him to write his own rhymes and also helped him establish a style of flow.Like any grateful person does, NavySeal acknowledged Mcpotar for nurturing the star in him. He did so by writing a line about Mcpotar in his very first rhyme, and the two performed together for the very first time at a school function. This was only the beginning.

Since his high school years in the early 2000’s, NavySeal has written and performed quite a number of pieces, perfecting his art and growing in his creativity skills. In 2008, he was introduced to one of Bulawayo’s best music producers, T-Krued by his sister Sisiyanti, who happens to be a popular singer. T-Krued produced NavySeal’s first studio project, ‘Bring it on’, in which he featured Sisiyanti. For a first studio project, ‘Bring it on’ was delivered as a masterpiece, being an exellent blend of Navy’s well knit rhymes and Sisiyanti’s amazing vocals.

Later on, in December 2011, NavySeal started working on his first mixtape,’ Across the borders’ under Banks Beats Records and featured the likes of Sisiyanti, Centre Party, Orthodox 6 ,Robbie(of the Art Department) amongst others. The project was released in Jan 2012. Because of his great writing skills and amazing flow, the mixtape was an instant hit . For a new artist on their first project,107 downloads in 32hrs is a great feat not many accomplished artists can surpass.

back cover of the mixtape ‘Across the borders’

With all that history aside, what makes NavySeal stand out from the multitudes is that he has put his mind and heart to his music, banded together by incredible natural talent. His music does not only captivate the mind but carries different messages. One thing that i particularly fancy in his music is the motivation it preaches. To verify that, take a listen to ‘Hatidzokere shure’ featuring Sisiyanti and Champion featuring various artists.

Now Bars 263 being Bars 263, we love to pick out interesting notes and facts from evey artists’s work. The first song on the ‘Across the borders’ mixtape is what we would like to believe a cry out to the Zim Hip Hop industry to have a different opinion towards Bulawayo rappers. That is homework for everyone, listen to ‘Rhymefest 101’ and hopefully see what we mean.

After saying all we have about our star, Bars 263 wishes NavySeal all the best in his upcoming project, ‘Across the borders 2’ mixtape. May radio and Zimbabwe at large appreciate and enjoy what you have made and still are to bring out. But as always, every star has special mentions to some people they have to make. Shout out goes to Terry Bank(Banks Beats Records), First Class,T-Krued, Robbie and Tone(of the Art Department) and Mcpotar. You all have been part of NavySeal’s amazing journey and he appreciates the love much. Till the end of creativity and inspiration (which has no end after all), KEEP SHINING!

 

Munetsi , Zim Hip Hop’s ‘mic charmer’

“im on the world tour with the mic in my hand, London , Tokyo, New York, Sydney lets go”

Those are the first words to Munetsi’s title track to his latest album, World Tour. Munetsi is one most the most respected MC’s in the industry, this being a result of his great penning skills, experience and amazing vocal ability. He has a flow that easily captivates the ear and engages with the mind. Besides him bearing the above attributes plus a great sense of humour, Munetsi is well respected for presenting his art in one of our native languages, Shona, whilst maintaing his game water tight.

this picture is a direct translation of his name

“I am Munetsi, i spit.”

That is the response the man gave me after firing him with one of the most annoying questions ever -“Who are you?” Born Munetsi Matambanadzo, Incredible MU ,as he likes to sometimes refer to himself as, has been around the hip hop scene since the late 90’s. He has matured greatly from the days of his hit song ‘7 Days’ to those of his 2008 single, World Tour. His music is well known for its close connection to real social, economical and well lighter(humourous) issues. The amazing thing about him and his journey is he himself has realised he has come a long way with his relationship with the art of poetry and rap music. This is evident in his latest offering ‘Number One’ that has been well received by the public as well as other players in the game.

He says he draws inspiration from life experiences, any dope artist and yes, anything that sounds incredible.In the next 3 to 5 years , he has said this so look out, Munetsi hopes to be on a level of legendary greatness, in music and or business. Because i hate short and precise answers, on September 14 2017, i am going to call this man to check on his progress. I hope he changes numbers or skips the country.

According to Chaminuka,another name our star loves to use, Zim Hip Hop needs to reach its base audience to aid growth of the industry and familiarisation of the genre with the general public. We all hope, we in this case being the author and the blog, he hasnt already penned an awesome track talking about just how Mariann got a hard time decoding his short answers.I think i need a lawyer……….*trembles*

 

KING PINN, the marvel that lives on (Part 1)

When you talk about Zimbabwean Hip Hop and Rap music, the name King Pinn comes to mind. Years after his death, people still feel his presence and his music is alive. Up to date, no other artist has leveled up to the strong lyrical muscle and quality of vocal flow of the late great king of Zim Hip Hop.

THE MAN BEFORE THE MUSIC . Born Tonderai Ernest Makoni on March 25 1980 in Leicester, England, King Pinn destined for greatness. He was born in a family of three boys, Takura(Rassie Ai), Tonderai(King Pinn) and Tafara. He attended Thornhill Primary School in Gaborone , Botswana and later went to Watershed College in Marondera , Zimbabwe for his high school. Takura (Rassie Ai), King Pinn’s elder bro described him as a loving young brother who had so much respect for and looked up to his elder brother. King Pinn was well known to tackle tough and tense situations, be it family, personal and public affairs. Apart from the above, he was loving, a great listener, a reluctant leader and above all very creative and talented with penning songs.

KING PINN AND HIP HOP MUSIC. King Pinn was never vocal or public about his passion for hip hop.The first time that anyone knew he had talent and love for hip hop was when he perfomed his first song ever to an audience of himself and his elder brother, in the brother’s bedroom. This was in the summer of 1998. Takura (Rassie Ai) had been rapping for a while and sharing his music with his siblings. But upon hearing his young brother for the first time, he decided to quit the genre. He realised a star was fighting to be unleashed in his brother. The first sign that Zimbabwe’s greatest rapper of all time had arrived was seen in Takura’s bedroom. Amazing works were to be experienced by Zimbabweans. A talent was discovered. Time had come that a star shine.

Takura (Rassie Ai) having realised his young brother was talented and also being a loving elder brother, decided to help King Pinn get studio experience and get his music out to the world. The first studio project that King Pinn worked on was with The Blackfoot Tribe, in which he was featured. The project was done at Shamiso Records in Eastlea, Harare Zimbabwe owned by Gilbert Muvavarirwa. The track was produced by Ian Hillman who was once bass guitarist for the late great Andy Brown and the Storm. This was one of the only two collaborations that the Blackfoot Tribe did with other artists, the other one was with Tino Ludwick. The Blackfoot Tribe was made up of Proffesor The Four P, Vic Fox, Laygwan Sharkie, Chief ‘Tone Capone’ Chihota and Rassie Ai.

Shortly after featuring on The Blackfoot Tribe project, King Pinn went to study Political Science and Media studies at the University Of Capetown, Cape Town , South Africa. This was months before Zimbabwe Hip Hop music industry and the nation at large was about to witness greatness at its best and extra ordinary talent from one young man……….(to be continued)