What Next for Zim Hip Hop??!

Local Hip Hop has been the biggest winner of 2022 no doubt about that, the genre has grown in leaps and bounds. The reason why hip hop finally engaged into gear from my analysis is a combination of three things. 

1. The amount of diverse talent that has come through is immense, we now have different variations and interpretations of the genre, Voltz has his own style, Jungle Loco has another sound, Bagga Weragga has another sound, Suhn has another sound, Luminous, Malcomm Mufunde all do different styles. 
2. The majority of Zimbos are willing to give a different genre a chance since Sungura and Dancehall have all had periods of dominance before. Dancehall has sort of reached saturation stage, it needs to reinvent itself, Sungura is back in full force and in many areas its surpassing Hip Hop in popularity but despite that many still want to see what these young guys have to offer. 
3. The connection the genre has with ama2k. To fully succeed, a genre has to connect to a generation, that generation is the one that will push and support that genre. Dancehall was pushed by the us the 90's kids, it started in outlr teens and peaked in our 20's, it was thee music when many started clubbing and enjoying early adulhood. Ama2k may do the same to Hip Hop. 

Right now I liken the state of Hip Hop to where Dancehall was in the early 2010's before the arrival of the Mbare Trio (Seh Calaz, Soul Jah Love & Killer T). In the late 2000's Dancehall was growing fast but it took the arrival of the Mbare Trio and mostly that beef between Seh Calaz & Soul Jah Love for Dancehall to reach unseen levels. Local Hip hop is in such a state. 

Having said that I believe Hip Hop should not necessarily follow all the steps that Dancehall took, or wait for certain artists to blow up, it doesn't work that way (the crowds and Vibes are different) but there are certain lessons or strategies that can be borrowed to take the genre to that next stage. That is what this article is all about. 

The biggest strategy that must be adopted is finding a home ground. Hip hop needs a venue that will in the future become synonymous with Hip Hop, just like how City Sports Center is synonymous with Zim Dancehall. 

Such a venue provides a place whereby the fans and followers of the hip hop culture can express themselves fully. If you go to the cup clash at the City Sports Center you will get to experience the Dancehall culture in full undiluted force. 

That in turn helps the genre grow and last longer than any one person. Winky D has not been to the Cup Clash for over 10years but the event still get full to the bream, Killer T and Enzo were not at this year's edition but it was full irregardless. So having such a venue ensures that it time even if the top acts are not there the culture can go on. 

Next when a venue has been found, that creates a platform for various artists to showcase themselves to the fans. Many many hip hop artists have never performed for a crowd of more than 500 people so if a big platform is now available that will all change. This will in turn push the genre to improve more.

Also hip hop is a in ego led genre so imagine giving a platform for all those rappers who claim to be the best in front of thousands of Hip hop fans and we let the crowd decide who is actually the best, without resorting to streams, views and radio airplay which can be largely manipulated. I believe that will be awesome. We now get to see who can wow the crowds more. More can be done once such a platform is created, cyphers, freestyles... Etc.

Once a venue if found and a platform is created corporates can easily come in, corporates love sponsorship big shows. This also provides a opportunity for other lesser known artists to score endorsements which again will push the genre forward. 

So for today will end here, I truly believe if what I have suggested gets implemented the genre will grow much deeper and stronger. So I urge all stakeholders to come up together and let's make this happen. 

Watch : My Personal Journey With Zim Hip Hop. 

Share your thoughts on the ideas and scenarios that I have shared and also you own personal ideas in the comments section below. 

Proud_Zimbo