Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
NATIONAL Arts Council of Zimbabwe chief executive, Napoleon Nyanhi, has hailed rapper Mudiwa Hood for successfully turning his music career into a serious business.
He says the rapper should inspire other artists.
Nyanhi said the rapper has demonstrated that musicians could build sustainable brands beyond simply releasing songs.
“I have watched your journey closely,” Nyanhi told Mudiwa.
“In an industry that is often volatile, you have demonstrated a level of resilience that is truly biblical.
“You have weathered storms, you have faced the critics, and you have kept your eyes on the prize.”
Nyanhi added:
“But what stands out for me is your professionalism.
“You treat music not as a hobby, but as a serious business,” he said.
He also praised Mudiwa’s image, saying the rapper had challenged stereotypes about how a hip-hop artist should look and conduct himself.
“You are a brand. You have shown the young ones that you don’t have to be scruffy to be a Hip Hop star.
“You can be sharp, you can be corporate, and you can still drop bars that shake the industry,” Nyanhi said.
For Nyanhi, Mudiwa’s journey represents the kind of creative entrepreneurship Zimbabwe needs as the Government seeks to grow the creative sector as an economic driver.
“Mudiwa is one artist who has shown others that music is a business like any other. If you invest properly in your career, it will surely pay off,” he said.
“This aligns perfectly with the Government’s rallying call under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2.
“As a nation, we are advocating for viable and sustainable businesses.
“We are saying that the Creative Sector must gain its respect as a key economic driver.”
Nyanhi urged artists not to limit their investments to music but to think about their lives, futures and legacies.
He challenged musicians to build catalogues and other assets that could continue generating value long after their active careers.
“I want to urge every artist here to know that music is a legacy you can leave for your children,” he said.
“Your royalties, your masters, your catalogue, these can be assets passed down from generation to generation.”
He pointed to Mudiwa’s previous involvement with the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) as evidence of the rapper’s interest in protecting artists’ long-term interests.
“To the young artists here: Don’t just chase the hit song. Chase the asset. Build a catalogue that your grandchildren can live off,” Nyanhi said.
“Mudiwa, as you unleash Dhara Re Madhara onto the world, I want to say congratulations. Let this album unlock new levels for you. Let it open doors that were previously shut,” he said.
