Langalihle Mhiti
HIP-HOP gospel musician Teqmula is pushing for greater recognition of the genre in Zimbabwe.
The rapper is the founder of HIGO Movement, which seeks to create opportunities for rappers, singers, dancers and poets to spread the Christian message through urban culture.
“My vision is to put HIGO on the national calendar. Our genre is not being given attention.
“It is being neglected because people have stereotypes about hip-hop, even the church is not giving us a platform, like other sounds,” he said.
Teqmula believes hip-hop has the ability to reach audiences who may not easily connect with conventional gospel music.
“Yet hip-hop has street credibility. It knows how to talk to someone who is a drug addict.
“That is what HIGO is all about,” he said.
Launched on May 30 at Theatre in the Park, HIGO Movement aims to establish hip-hop gospel as a recognised force in the country’s music industry.
Teqmula hopes to grow the initiative into a nationally recognised platform, with plans for HIGO Awards in the future and opportunities to bring international artists on board.
He said the support he was receiving from people close to him, the Youth Revival Team led by Evangelist Keith, and fellow musician Mudiwa Hood, was encouraging him to pursue the vision.
The musician, who lost his parents when he was a child, said the support has helped him remain focused on his dream.
Teqmula joins other Zimbabwean artists, including Mudiwa Hood, Pastor G and Prime Minister, who are exploring the fusion of gospel and urban music.
His music journey began in 2009, with his official entry into hip-hop gospel coming in 2016.
He has since earned nominations at the 2024 Zimbabwe Gospel Music Awards and the 2025 Zimhiphop Awards. The musician is using his latest EP, “Tingori naMwari Since 0000”, to celebrate God’s faithfulness.
The project follows his earlier EP, “BAE — Before Anything Else”, which emphasised putting God first.
“This time we are saying Tingori naMwari Since 0000, since gore zero, before everything.
“Before the struggles, before the stage, God has been with us. We are just celebrating and telling the world how good He has been to everyone,” he said.
Backed by her mother Tendai Tsatsa-Mateyu, who is also a talented gospel musician, Teqmula also has ambitions to expand HIGO Movement through HIGO Fest, which he hopes to stage in the future.
