Looking to highlight some of the specific aesthetics and advances of the Zim hip hop genre, Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu has thrown his weight behind the formation of Zimbabwe Hip-Hop Movement meant to promote the genre.
The brainchild of hip-hop group called SOD, the movement will serve as a platform to assist hip-hop artistes countrywide. Already SOD approached a number of music promoters to come on board with the aim of promoting hip-hop. SOD co-founder Gerald "Jellz" Themba (@jellzfbaby) has urged interested youths to join the movement.
"Hip-hop is a culture, it is a way of life and a business. The general belief is that hip-hop is a culture that can be diluted with African tradition to come up with a hybrid that relates to the youths of today.
"The movement's mandate is to ensure that youths stay in school and universities.
"Those pursuing music as a career should be given that platform to explore and showcase what they know best.
"We approached Honourable Shamu, who is also the Patron of Zimbabwe Union of Musicians. He agreed with the idea and we are ready to start our journey," said Jellz.
The movement comes at a time when hip-hop music is on a steady rise. This also follows a number of successful shows and gigs that featured regional hip-hop artistes. Jellz said the movement was luring regional and international hip-hop artistes to collaborate with Zimbabweans.
Recently, South African's trio of Dj Zihle, A.K.A and Young Nucho visited Harare courtesy of some of aspiring Zimbabwean hip-hop promoters.
SOD was also part and parcel of the show that saw local hip-hop gurus sharing the stage with South Africa's crème de la crème. The movement will host hip-hop artistes at some of the Harare's entertainment spots such as The Lounge, Red Bar and Circus Nightclub.