New Years Message

2013 is finally here and I am excited about everything from the new numbers in our dates to new beginnings. I have to admit that I felt quite lazy to sum up 2012 in a blog post, so I will combine a little summary of it together with the new years message.

I started blogging three months ago. It all started with my favourite and most memorable article ,’ King Pinn – The marvel that lives on part 1′ (http://wp.me/p2IDUI-h ) and I must admit, everyone I turned to for help did not just give me the information that I wanted, but also blessed me with words of encouragement. I remember asking Outspoken and Synik about the late King Pinn and they both referred me to one person, Upmost. Upmost was not only helpful but treated me in a way I never imagined. Shout out to him for being so humble and nice to me. He later connected me to Rassie Ai , King Pinn’s elder brother who gave me more than enough details about the story of one of Zimbabwe’s greatest rappers ever. Rassie actually saluted me for asking him for information personally unlike some people who either assume or duplicate what has been written before. What I learnt from that experience of getting information was that little forms of help can mean the world to the one you’re helping. I was this young girl, little known in Hip Hop circles, trying to use my passion for writing to tell stories of a genre I loved. I had never written anything Zim Hip Hop related, nor had a following whatsoever. But the people i approached first believed in my dream and three months down the line, my blog features artists of different strengths and backgrounds and has amazing response from the public.

Now back to the new years message. I believe in Zim Hip Hop and all artists involved in it. Last year was amazing and this year looks very promising. A number of artists will release their albums, mixtapes and singles in the first quarter and i can not hide my excitement . Artists, bloggers, promoters, producers and everyone else took notes from mistakes and successes from last year, and will use them as stepping stones to becoming even bigger this year. I believe that seeking knowledge does not only keep you informed but helps when making critical decisions. Being humble and willing to learn will also help us become better people, pushing Zim Hip Hop to greater heights.

I would like to encourage every artist, new , underground or established to always believe in themselves first before taking on any challenge. Nothing in this world is certain, but if you are sure of yourself, you can never go wrong. Face challenges, criticism , failure and success with a smile. Attitude influences action, and action determines success. I know we are all meant to shine this year in our own unique ways. Embrace the new year with a energy plus a smile, dream big and BE AMAZING!

 

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)