ARGH, something is terribly wrong with the moral compass of our society.
Not so long ago, Mai Juju watched controversial Zimdancehall singer Hulungende’s podcast during which the young fellow spoke with the conviction of a man who understands the ghetto’s pulse.
Yet, as she listened, she felt a profound sense of unease.
Here was a young man admitting — nay, boasting — about his affinity for mbanje.
But the discomfort did not end with the drugs.
It is his music, specifically his latest offering, “Zunza Mupunduru”, that has left Mai Juju rattled to the core.
The song is not merely suggestive; it is downright explicit.
The title itself, a thinly veiled double entendre, sets the tone for a track that leaves nothing to the imagination.
In Zimbabwean street slang, the lyrics are unmistakably carnal.
You cannot listen to this track in polite company, or even alone, without blushing.
It is a lyrical assault on our sensibilities.
In the old days, we had a Censorship Board.
We had gatekeepers who ensured that
our airwaves were not contaminated by
filth.
But with the advent of social media and the evolution of modern technologies, the gates have been flung wide open.
The liberalisation — or should we say over-liberalisation — of platforms means any idiot with a microphone and an internet connection can broadcast whatever they want without guardrails.
This has given chaps like Hulengende carte blanche to churn out sexually explicit songs with worrying regularity.
By last week, “Zunza Mupunduru” was inching towards one million views.
The people are consuming this poison, and we are clapping.
Killer T last week learnt the hard way.
He spent two days behind bars after an expletive-laden rant directed at Kwame Muzawazi, a man who had just lost his younger brother in the most painful of circumstances.
Killer T’s language was crash, foul and his threats were chilling, even if we all knew he did not have the capacity to see them through.
He was arrested for cyber bullying. He apologised, claiming alcohol made him say things he could not believe came out of his mouth.
So, why the double standard?
If Killer T was frogmarched to court for contaminating the airwaves with his drunken rants, why is Hulengende still walking free?
His lyrics are not literally insulting to an individual, but they are an insult to our collective conscience, our norms and our values.
The law is clear on criminal insult and cyber bullying, but we seem to have no teeth when it comes to the systematic pollution of our culture through music.
Hulengende is a role model, whether he likes it or not.
The ghetto looks up to him.
But his talent is being overshadowed by a persona that glamourises drugs and reduces women to objects of sexual gratification.
His track “Fadza Madzimai” was a hit, but imagine what he could do without the vulgarity?
He could dominate international airwaves.
Instead, he is limiting himself to the gutter.
The Muzawazi family showed remarkable grace in accepting Killer T’s apology, urging him towards positive reform.
That is the spirit of ubuntu.
But we cannot afford to be as forgiving with Hulengende.
He is not sorry; he is unapologetic.
He is not reforming; he is doubling down.
He needs to have his day in court.
While his lyrics are not literally insulting to one man, they are a crime against decency. We cannot allow a situation where the law catches a drunkard shouting in the street but turns a blind eye to a musician selling filth to millions of children.
Hulengende belongs to rehab or prison.
He is the role model we do not need.
It is time the long arm of the law caught up with him.
Ndikoko!
