Raisedon Baya
I AM not a fan of hip-hop. I don’t have anything against it but I grew up on a different diet. I grew up listening to the likes of Ilanga, Tobias Areketa, Jonah Moyo and Paul Matavire. This was before I got addicted to Tuku and his brand of music. I can listen to Tuku music anytime, anywhere. This is because the music touches a part inside me no other musician could touch.
I must confess I have also tried other genres. Chiwoniso Maraire and Mbira Dzenharira almost spoke to me spiritually. There was a time listening to their music almost made me close my eyes and search for something reverend inside me. The feeling I got when listening to that music I really cannot describe or share properly with someone else.
If Chiwoniso had lived longer maybe she would have converted me into a mbira loving fan. However, hip-hop is still something I must get both my hands and perhaps my ears on. I love the word craft in this genre. The word play. I am a total sucker for good word arrangement.
My daughter loves hip-hop and she is crazy about some South African artistes. Friends at school must be influencing her towards that genre. Unfortunately she is yet to find something local she loves. It is my duty to start pushing her towards local stuff and the immediate challenge is where to find the music.
Where are our musicians selling their music? Do we have to go to their homes to look for that odd CD or DVD?
Of course I know of Asaph — and who doesn’t? I know Cal_Vin. Again who doesn’t? I know them not because of the awards they have won but their work ethics. Then there is Takura, M.U.S.E, Kbrizzy and AWA. Funny that I really got to know AWA when she started performing outside the country. And I know I am not the only who “discovered” her when she was out there. They say a prophet has no honour in his/ her own home. The above talents have gifts they need to share with the rest of us and the truth is we must find ways of finding each other.
Frankly, I must admit that I know all the above not through radio. Not through television. In fact, not through any national platform. My first contact with them was not through their music too. I first knew of these by name, mostly through social media. Then, slowly, I got to want to know more about their music. What is my point? Simple. Radio exposure is no longer the only way to push and get to the top. People don’t become stars, not through national platforms. Not through radio or television.
Now there are many other social media platforms that our artistes can use to break into the mainstream platforms. Hip-hop has been aggressive. I know Cal_Vin is a hustler. He is a go-getter and is prepared to fight for the cause of hip-hop. I know another hip-hop activist in the name of Thorne. The passion is there. The cause is there too. What is seriously left is creating more platforms like Made in Bulawayo and August Rush. And more importantly the platforms must prove hip-hop has fans and people willing to pay for their music.
I could say the same with imbube. Great talent. Great music. But the same question continues. Where is the music? How does one access the music without really having to go an extra mile to get it? Besides Black Umfolosi, Indonsakusa and Nobuntu what other imbube music is out there and accessible.