adminYeukai Karengezeka and Kudakwashe Pembere Entertainment Reporters
Controversial rapper Kennedy Simbanegavi better known as Yoz Wenyu in the music circles is boycotting the Zim Hip- Hop Awards to be held tonight at 7Arts Theatre citing unprofessionalism among organisers. The artiste has released a skit track in which he disses the organisers, accusing them of ignorance in coming up with the categories.
Some of the lyrics on the track note: “Kundiisa pamanominations palast minute because madiscover kuti Zim Hip-Hop is nothing without me.”
The organisers of the awards decided to nominate him after the list was already out for the Most Valuable Player category.
The talented rapper says he will not pitch up for the event as it is a disgrace to him.
“I was startled when they informed me about my nomination yet they had long announced other nominees.
“Initially, they left me out because they were saying that l am an urban groover not a hip- hop artiste, so why the change all of a sudden?
They just want to use my name to sell their event and I won’t fall for that,” he said.
One of the event organisers, Adrian Harrison, said that Yoz’s category was there from the start but was accidentally left out.
“We have no response to the skit he has released condemning us; he is an adult, let him do what he wants. The truth is that there were some mistakes in announcing the categories, which we discovered later and solved,” he said.
A hip-hop commentator, Plot Mhako, said there is need for organisers to recognise hip-hop music and the artistes should not be rude when they do not want to take part in events.
“I think as Zimbabweans we should shape our arts industry by going through the right channels if you are not happy about something. We seem not to understand what is involved in putting up events of this magnitude especially when corporates are not so keen to support,” he said.
Another rap artiste, Mr See from Beitbridge, lamented the sad state of local hip-hop but was happy that there were signs of improvement
“Slowly we are getting there and it just needs cool heads to take this to another level,” said Mr See.
Online Reporter