adminNgoni Dapira
HIP-HOP artiste and Tazoita Cash Records label proprietor, Stunner, whose real name is Desmond Chideme gave Mutare revellers value for their money at BarCode last Friday during his hip-hop ‘Black and Gold party.’ Stunner performed for one hour after 12-midnight, promoting his latest forthcoming album, Toitoi. He also played yester-year hits which fans sang along to show the brand he has become over the years in the music industry as a pioneer of the urban grooves genre.
Stunner who was early this year ranked number 15 in the Top 20 African best Hip-Hop artistes by a South African social media site sahiphopmag showed why his on top of the game after exuding a polished performance last Friday.
His hit-songs such as Dhafukorera, Hameno and Team Hombe proved to be still popular with fans on the night. Speaking on the sidelines, despite the good turnout at the show, the flamboyant and swag artiste, however, bemoaned lack of appreciation for local hip-hop in Zimbabwe.
“People would rather listen to American hip-hop which is a totally different culture rather than support their own local talent. In South Africa, they started hip-hop around the same time we started here in Zimbabwe, but their hip-hop culture is growing faster because of the local support. I aim to be the number one rapper on the continent and I believe in myself to reach such levels,” said Stunner.
He also encouraged upcoming hip-hop artistes not to be head-strong and gun for overnight riches. He said many upcoming artistes were forgetting how long it took them to put urban grooves in the limelight especially the hip-hop genre.
“I have heard so many young artistes who come to record at my stable thinking overnight they will become famous and rich. You need to work for that money and sweat to make a name in the music business,” he said. Stunner also appreciated BarCode for promoting local hip-hop music which was played randomly throughout the night.
Meanwhile, the beef between Stunner and award-winning gospel rapper, Mudiwa has been escalating. Stunner was on StarFM radio on Monday with KVG and Pathisani commenting on the bad blood between the two. Early this year the two released the same song, with the similar title – ‘Vandikonewa’.
A comparison of the tracks on StarFM in July saw Stunner’s “Vandikonewa” beating Mudiwa’s “Vegodo Vandikonewa” with four votes, while the gospel rapper had one.
Online Reporter