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Peter Matika, Senior Leisure Reporter
MULTI-AWARD winning rap and hip-hop artiste, Mgcini Calvin Nhliziyo popularly known as Cal_Vin, last Sunday undoubtedly immortalised himself, as one Bulawayo’s best rap artistes, when he put up a sterling performance alongside South Africa’s rappers Cassper Nyovest and AKA at the Kalawa Homecoming concert.
Cal_Vin in his diminutive frame delivered a performance that sent the crowd into frenzy.
So impressive was his stage presence at the Kalawa Homecoming gig that his South African influences Cassper and AKA acknowledged him.
Cal_Vin rose to fame this year, after releasing tracks such as Zikhupani featuring Cassper Nyovest and has been a force to reckon with.
Since he ventured into the rap scene, he has been perceived as Bulawayo’s rap messiah, considering the fact that Bulawayo has not been acknowledged as a rap quantum in the country.
One of his hit tracks — Bebengakholwa from his album Perfect Balance has had a successful run on radio, doing extremely well on the Bulawayo Top 10 Chart, as it stood as number one for almost three months.
In his endevour to remain relevant in the industry Cal_Vin releases a freestyle every Friday for his fans (Vin Nation) on an online project called Free Bars Fridays, which has seen him not only getting commercial level respect, but also earning him street cred and he intends to keep going until he has established himself.
He has worked with many local artistes including the likes of Orthodox, Langelihle, MC Tytoh, Dj Emasto (Botswana), Bra Snipes (Botswana), POY (Zim), Haem O (Swaziland), Testa Uno (South Africa), Metamorphic (South Africa), Guluva Seven (Zim), Tear Dream Boiz (Zim), Kasi Lunatics (Zim) and Tumi Stopnosons (South Africa).
Cal_Vin has four official albums, namely Perfect Balance, Dat Luveve Boy, which he released both in 2014, Askies and Year of the Vin, which he released last year.
Rap and hip hop critiques across the country consider him a rapper par-excellent, as he is a rapper that actually produces his own music.
Cal_Vin was born in 1985 and was introduced to rap in 1996 and was provided with an opportunity to record in 2003.
He went on to start making his own beats in 2004 because he wanted to have full control of his career and creativity.
He has often said he is heavily influenced by the likes of American rappers, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Tupac, Michael Jackson and of course not to mention his all-time South African rapper Cassper Nyovest.
Cassper was once quoted saying that his favourite rapper from Zimbabwe was Cal_Vin and that he sometimes felt intimidated by his material.
“My favourite Zimbabwean rapper is Cal_Vin. I mean when I listen to his material, I really feel intimidated. It shocks me to realise that many Zimbabweans are familiar with my music and not his. I guess there is need for some changes in structures within the Zimbabwean system, to push more of the local artistes.
“Maybe that means reduction in airplay of our songs and giving more play to local artistes, I don’t know what the problem really is but the youngster is really talented,” said Nyovest.
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