Online Reporter
Nodumo Moyo, [email protected]
AWARD-WINNING hip-hop artiste Asaph Afrika is gearing up for a busy run of performances, saying he is excited to reconnect with fans and revisit the songs that have defined his career.
Born Tafadzwa Tarukwana, the rapper is set to travel to Harare for TeenFest ZW on August 22. He will then take to the stage at Hip Hop N Chill event on September 5.
For Asaph Afrika, the shows represent more than a return to the stage. They are an affirmation that his music continues to resonate with audiences despite his growing focus on developing other creatives through the Kwela Initiative and his work on 16Bars on Skyz Metro FM.
“For me, this run of shows means money is coming in, but more meaningful to my journey and where I’m at in my career. It’s pretty exciting knowing there are people out there who consider themselves fans of Asaph even though I’ve moved to doing work more behind the scenes with Kwela Initiative and 16Bars on Skyz Metro FM,” he said.
The rapper said he was particularly grateful that fans still want to see him perform the songs that established him as one of Zimbabwe’s leading hip hop voices.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling knowing my music has such an impact that people still want to see me perform their favourite songs. The message I’m sending to the fans is get ready because we’re about to have many opportunities to share some amazing moments with the music we both enjoy and love,” he said.
While he is looking forward to the shows, ASAPH said TeenFest ZW has him particularly excited because of the opportunity to deliver an extended 45-minute set, something he has not done for several years.
“I’m hyped about all of them, but TeenFest got me the most excited. They reached out to me months ago so I knew I was doing that one first. It’s a 45-minute set which I haven’t done since around 2022 or 2023 at the height of my career,” he said.
He added that longer sets allow him to build a stronger connection with audiences and showcase the depth of his catalogue.“Those are always exciting because you really get to connect with the audience, and it helps that I have a strong catalogue of familiar or at least catchy songs,” he said.
He promised fans high-energy performances and said he would share his set lists ahead of each show, giving audiences a glimpse of what to expect.
According to ASAPH, his ability to move across different sounds remains one of the qualities that sets him apart in Zimbabwe’s hip hop landscape.
“I believe what sets me apart is my range of sound which cuts across hard trap hip hop, Kwaito-influenced hip hop and Mbira-influenced hip hop, energetic stage presence and catchy sing-along choruses,” he said.
Away from the stage, the rapper is increasingly investing his time in nurturing the next generation of musicians through the Kwela Initiative. The initiative has launched an artist development programme offering workshops, recording camps and mentorship opportunities for emerging artistes.
Asaph’s music journey began in Bulawayo, where he developed an interest in hip-hop while attending Petra High School and participating in rap battles with friends.
He later rose to national prominence with songs such as Mambo, earning multiple awards and establishing himself as one of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable hip hop artistes. In recent years, he has broadened his contribution to the industry by combining his music career with artiste development through Kwela Initiative and his role as host of 16Bars on Skyz Metro FM, a platform dedicated to showcasing Zimbabwean hip hop talent.
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