Bulawayo hip-hop artistes get platform to shine

Cape to Cairo pub in Bulawayo has in the last few months played host to afternoon hip-hop sessions that are aimed at unearthing and exposing the city's hidden musical talent, specifically in the hip-hop genre.

Founded by Leeroy "Spinx" Brittain and Ndumiso Craig Mabhena of the Still Using Pressure crew in collaboration with a local website www.da- gravine.com, the sessions were established with the hope of giving new artistes an environment where they could give each other a taste of their creative works.

"We were inspired by the desire to have a place where young and gifted hip-hop artistes would come together to share their music while also showing the people what Bulawayo has to offer musically," said Brittain in an interview yesterday.

He said that the sessions have been a launch pad for various up-and-coming artistes who had launched their albums and mixtapes to good reception from the pub's revellers.

"In the past few weeks we have seen Kasi Lunatics launch their mixtape while Tammy Jubbs will also launch his own mixtape and next week we look forward to playing host to POY," said Brittain.

He said although the project had up to this point been entirely self-funded, they were appealing to the corporate world to lend them financial support.

"We are appealing to the corporate world in Bulawayo to lend support where they can because the city's entertainment sector is trailing that of other parts of the country," he said.

He urged those who criticised hip-hop as a foreign sub-culture to have a re-think because the world was now a global village where various cultures were coming together.

"If you look at a group like Kasi Lunatics they added local flavour to foreign concept through their use of vernacular languages in their raps," said Brittain.

Regular performers at the sessions include Kasi Lunatics, POY, Nash, Sean D and Mac while established urban grooves artist Maskiri also graced the venue in June.

Brittain said although their main focus was on hip hop because of its popularity, other genres were also accommodated while the sessions were aimed at exposing the city's producers.

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