America has Ye, we have Holy Ten

HAS the Zimbabwean hip-hop scene birthed its own Ye? It seems every nation cultivates such a figure, a provocateur who both captivates and confounds. South Africa has Nota Baloyi, and now, Zimbabwe has unearthed its own Kanye West-esque rapper, known to his fans as Holy Ten. These individuals, defined by their unpredictable, often controversial, behaviour, carve out a unique and undeniably prominent space in the cultural landscape.

Holy Ten, much like his American counterpart, has recently courted controversy. From publicly criticising his wife, Kimberly Richard, to escalating his verbal sparring beyond fellow artistes, like former hip-hop luminary Mudiwa Hood, the MaChills hitmaker demonstrates a penchant for unfiltered expression. His recent, and particularly striking target was religious leader Uebert Angel, whom he engaged with during a candid podcast interview with DJ Ollah 7.

His recent outbursts echo the erratic behaviour and verbal diarrhoea of American rapper Kanye “Ye” West.

From confessing he married Kimberly Richards to spite Voltz JT, to insinuating she might be hindering his progress, Holy Ten’s behaviour suggests a descent into chaos.

As if airing his marital woes in public wasn’t enough, “Mujaya,” as Holy Ten is affectionately known, launched an attack on Spirit Embassy overseer, Angel, branding him as anything but angelic, and alleging “Ayindikumbira mababy” (he used to ask for girlfriends from me). He further accused Angel of infidelity.

This week, Saturday Leisure will draw comparisons between these two outspoken figures, highlighting how they have reshaped the musical landscape. Below are some of the shared characteristics that define these rappers.

Legal entanglements

Kanye West’s penchant for controversy is well-documented, frequently landing him in legal disputes. For instance, his former assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, accused him of drugging and raping her at a Diddy party. According to an 88-page lawsuit filed on October 11th last year, the influencer made further disturbing allegations implicating the controversial rapper in a sex crime.

This is merely one instance among many, as Ye has consistently courted controversy and faced legal repercussions.

Now, Holy Ten has joined this turbulent journey, with his pronouncements reportedly prompting lawsuits from comedian Mama V, former rapper and author Mudiwa Hood, and religious leader Angel. In the defamation and damages claim circulated on social media, Mudiwa and Angel reportedly demanded compensatory damages amounting to one and a half million United States dollars, although Mudiwa has vehemently denied initiating any such legal action.

Let’s be clear: the rap game is built on bravado, and verbal sparring sessions are commonplace, a practice both rappers have engaged in throughout their careers. In Zimbabwe, Holy Ten has exchanged diss tracks with his on-again, off-again friend Voltz JT, with the pair reconciling multiple times.

In America, Kanye West is renowned as a highly divisive artistic figure, known for a multitude of contentious actions and statements. His inflammatory rhetoric has embroiled him in feuds with Drake, Kid Cudi, Nas, and Cardi B.

Educational background

It’s rumoured that Holy Ten is a school dropout, a trait he shares with Ye. If true, this might shed light on some of the life choices these rappers make.

Blaming alcohol

Alcoholic beverages, often referred to as “wise waters,” can sometimes lead to decidedly unwise behaviour. This appears to be the case with both Holy Ten and Kanye West.

In 2022, Ye found himself in hot water (as is his wont), locked out of Twitter and Instagram for posting anti-Semitic remarks. In one tweet, Ye stated he would soon go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,’ referencing the United States defence-readiness condition scale known as DEFCON.

In his defence during a Candace Owens podcast episode, Ye claimed, “I was drinking when I put up the DEFCON tweet. You wanna know what alcohol I had inside me? Hennessy. It turns us grey. The demons come out.”

In an Instagram message, Mudiwa Hood, who has been targeted by Holy Ten, shared an apology from Mujaya, attributing his actions to alcohol and malevolent spirits. The message read, “I’m sorry about the stuff I posted. I genuinely believe I was possessed that weekend. That’s the same weekend I almost divorced my wife and amongst things. I’m really sorry but I have an actual alcohol problem. . .”

Awards controversies

In 2009, as Taylor Swift accepted her first MTV Video Music Awards gong for Best Female Video for You belong with me, Ye famously stormed the stage during her speech, proclaiming, “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’ma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!”

America has Ye, we have Holy Ten

Holy Ten has also been vocal about awards. In addition to missing out on this year’s National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), he expressed displeasure at comedian Mama V’s win, claiming the cross-dressing performer was a negative influence on children.

Controlling relationships

Both Ye and Mujaya exhibit controlling tendencies in their relationships. Ye’s and partner Bianca Censori’s recent provocative outfit at the Grammys sparked widespread debate, reinforcing claims made by his ex-girlfriend Julia Fox about his control over her wardrobe. Holy Ten appears to want to mould Kim into his ideal partner, accusing her of holding him back, a hallmark of controlling behaviour.

Musical impact

When Holy Ten emerged onto the Zimbabwean music scene, Zimdancehall dominated. His hits, such as “MaChills” and “Sahwira,” introduced a new hip-hop sound, sparking a wave of collaborations.

Similarly, Kanye West has been a major force in American rap, nurturing young artists through his G.O.O.D. Music label, which includes John Legend, Travis Scott, Tyga, Big Sean, and D’Banj. His own hits, such as “N*ggas in Paris,” “Run this town,” and “Heartless,” have solidified his status as a leading American rapper.

Infidelity

Ye and Holy Ten both appear to struggle with monogamy. In Mujaya’s own words, he admitted to having extramarital affairs during an interview with Olla 7. After his divorce from Kim Kardashian, Ye began dating Julia Fox, who claimed she was used as a pawn in his relationship narrative, suggesting he was unfaithful.

Religious persona

Mujaya, born Mukudzei Chitsama, adopted the stage name “Holy Ten,” despite his actions often contradicting this moniker. Ye’s “Yeezus” album explored religious themes, with the title itself referencing both black identity and divinity. The song “I am a god” sets a tone of self-proclaimed deity.

Ultimately, both figures embody the archetypal “rapper” lifestyle, forging their own paths and challenging societal norms.

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