ZI on Music Theory Print

Zimbabwean hip-hop

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1990–2000#

After 10 years of independence, hip hop hit the streets of Zimbabwe. The youth of Zimbabwe embraced it. The earliest recordings were mostly on vinyl and tapes. The low income earners could not afford high quality equipment. The mainstream acts of the time were Piece of Ebony, Fortune Muparutsa with rap verses on songs like “Rumors” (1991) , and Midnight Magic with songs like “Blackness” featuring Mau Mau. Since most vinyl records and cassette tapes are no longer playable, Zimbabwe lost much of its earlier catalog, from which later generations could have drawn inspiration. This also limits the opportunities to sample from predecessors. During the 3rd and 4th quarter of this period, initiative and leadership influence of Innocent Tshuma (then known as the Millennium Man), saw the youths developing the genre. The lifestyle and culture began to adopt American Hip hop trends, leaning less on the stagnant local Mbira Hip hop - exported globally by groups like Zimbabwe Legit, hip hop remained universal to other genres such as Museve, Reggae, Kwaito, Jazz, Choral, Sungura, Maskandi and South African mouse music. In 2016, rappers like Takura gathered a following. Becoming one of the first to be recognized during stiff competition with Zimdancehall.

Zimbabwean jazz

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Different versions of Zimbabwean jazz#

Bulawayo jazz is a form of jazz that originated in the 1950s. A notable artist of this genre are The Cool Crooners.

Notable jazz musicians#

Charles Fernando
Victor Kunonga
Dorothy Masuka
Oliver Mtukudzi
August Musarurwa
Prince Kudakwashe Musarurwa
Percy Nehoreka Nhara
Josh Meck
Takakunda Mukundu

Zimdancehall

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Origins and Jamaican influence#

Zimdancehall started in the late 1980s, coinciding with the rise of sound system culture present in Zimbabwe at the time. It developed as a genre through continued exposure to Jamaican reggae and dancehall, which had both achieved global success and circulation. Early artists adapted several of these Jamaican rhythms and performance styles while incorporating local sayings and slang into their lyrics. The dancehall inspiration is also seen in the chanting styles, riddims, and street performances of the genre.