Floppy X and Cal_Vin
Bhekumuzi Ncube, Sunday Life Reporter
THERE may not be any public brawls or squabbles between Cal_Vin and Floppy X, but the two City of Kings hip-hop artistes have developed a significant “beef” against each other on stage.
The two are both incredible lyricists who are able to drop their bars flawlessly; they have each mastered the basics of their genre and produced some of the best hits out of the city in 2017, setting up a bruising battle for Record of the Year gong at various awards events.
For the longest time, Cal_Vin has been largely seen as the king of hip-hop in Bulawayo with the hip-hop muso bagging several awards during his career right from the moment he entered the scene with the release of his memorable hit, Z’khuphani. He shined at last year’s Bulawayo Arts Awards where he walked away with the Best Male and Best Hip-hop Artist awards.
Cal_Vin has undoubtedly outshined his rivalries in the past few years, but the growth of the genre in Bulawayo has showcased new, raw talent in the industry and they have begun to threaten Cal_Vin’s position at the top of the food chain.
The standout challenger for Dat Luveve Boy last year was the Mpopoma-based Xolani “Floppy X” Lunga who is developing into one of the more controversial rappers in Bulawayo. The Ngidakwe Ngihambe Ngeface hit maker has been embroiled in brawls at leisure centres which have seen him being labelled “violent”.
However, for anyone who understands the history of genre; they are keenly aware that hip-hop artistes across the globe tend to be the most controversial among celebrities. The likes of global sensations Drake, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Birdman and Lily Wayne who have not once, or twice but as many times been involved in scandals that have seen them serve jail time and Floppy X’s brawl with Tariq Bravo last year is seen as “proof” of his hip-hop DNA.
Back to rapping; Floppy X is proving to be a force to reckon with, bagging the Hip-Hop Song of the Year gong at the inaugural Skyz Metro FM awards last year. Previously, he was nominated for Best Newcomer Award at the Zimbabwe Hip-Hop Awards but failed to take the award home.
However, it is now in the open that Cal_Vin has a more than competent rival in Floppy X known and his highly distinctive hairstyle seems determined to take over the reins as the king of hip-hop in Bulawayo.
“Beef” is a popular term in hip-hop circles which means fights between rival artistes. In the United States of America, these beefs have often resulted in loss of life while others have resulted in unending turf wars attracting global attention: Tupac vs Notorious B.I.G, Drake vs Meek Mill, Jay Z vs Nas and Jah Rule vs 50 Cent are case in points.
Therefore, it will not come as a surprise if the two local hip hop “giants” Cal_Vin and Floppy X lock horns for the title of the “baddest” in the game.
What makes the idea of a “beef” seem plausible between the two is the fact that Floppy X once criticised Cal_Vin for the poorly attended Made in Bulawayo Hip Concert last year at Elite 400. -@NcubeBhekumuzi