BULAWAYO’S Grapevine (DGV) Clothing will host hip-hop cyphers rap battles in Harare next month in a move set to help local artistes in the genre to market themselves.
BY KENNEDY NYAVAYA
Efforts to hold such an event in the capital in January this year were marred by irregularities which the event organisers attributed to lack of connections.
The initiative has with time become a common phenomenon with a relatively large audience in Zimbabwe’s second largest city, prompting its organisers to expand to other cities.
The founder of the clothing line Naboth “Rizla” Rimayi said their current plan to move the initiative to other cities came after realising the growth of hip-hop culture.
“As the organisers of this movement we have decided to franchise it to willing parties in other cities though we will still be involved in ensuring that it is conducted according to our plan.”
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The multi-talented Rimayi bemoaned lack of platforms and nepotism in the media as the biggest problems in the genre saying that their initiative was set to address the issue.
“We are on a bid to counter the woes of the traditional way of getting music to radio and television stations which has proved impossible for some of the most talented rappers in the country,” he said.
The local cyphers which started in 2013 have proved to be different from global ones, which are mostly characterised by foul language, as they have rules to promote constructive lyrics which necessitate growth among other positive developments.
The clothing line, in partnership with another Bulawayo label ShadeOGrey, will host their monthly schedules at Rap Battles in the City of Kings this Saturday.