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Bruce Ndlovu
Bulawayo rapper Awakiwe a�?AWAa�? Sibanda is in line to receive an Arts and Humanities Research Council Film award in Britain for a documentary chronicling her life as a rapper rising from one of the countrya��s oldest and most notorious townships, Makokoba.
The nine-minute documentary, directed by Briton Maximilian Thurlow, was nominated in the Inspiration category of the award ceremony.
a�?AWA: Zimbabwea��s Rap Queena�? tells the story of the up-and-coming starlet AWA preparing to perform at her countrya��s biggest hip hop festival Shoko, in the capital Harare.
It was filmed as part of a series by VICEa��s music channel Noisey, which profiled young artistes from around the globe and their backgrounds.
Other rappers also profiled in the same series include American rap superstar Kendrick Lamar who charts his own history growing up in Americaa��s Compton and South Africaa��s Cassper Nyovest, who was profiled as part of a look at the budding and self-determining hip-hop scene in South Africaa��s economic hub, Johannesburg.
AWAa��s feature charts her rise from her roots in Makokoba where she had to witness biting poverty and domestic violence while growing up to her awareness of her own abilities as a rapper.
It also follows her excitement prior to her first plane trip as she prepared to perform at the Shoko Festival in the capital.
While a plane ride was a novelty back then, AWA has since made it the norm as she transverses the globe showcasing her unique art. The rapper was recently in Paris, France after joining with fellow Bulawayo rapper Cal_vin in Germany for the Urban Africa Music Festival.
Online Reporter