Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu ,Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Tuesday, November 18 will see the Music Connects Africa programme (formerly Scripts and Bars) unveil Volume 1 of the compilation album, “8 Piece Combo”.
This body of work will be available across all major digital streaming platforms worldwide.
Inspired by fast-food combos, 8 Piece Combo Vol 1 serves up eight tracks blending Afro-fusion, R&B, Hip Hop, House, and traditional Zimbabwean sounds for a rich and varied listening experience.
Charleen Moyo, A&R manager at Terminal One, Kay Media’s music division leading the album rollout, highlighted the project’s spirit of unity.
“This project is a celebration of the creative energy and diversity shaping Zimbabwe’s contemporary music scene. It showcases what can happen when young artistes, producers, and managers come together to collaborate and innovate,” she said.
The line-up includes a mix of artistes from across Zimbabwe: Bulawayo rappers Noluntu J and Brintz, alongside poetess Chioniso Tsikisayi, join Harare-based talents Melyssa, Paintafresco, Masa Caroleen, Danai Clay, and Raven Duchess.
Acclaimed producers TAPIWA, Verseless, and Texas round out the creative ensemble.
The aforementioned joined the first ever Music Connects Africa song-writing camp in June where 14 tracks were recorded in total.
Notably, the track “Ikoko” samples Splash’s 1986 hit “Peacock,” reimagined for a modern audience.
Splash, the iconic South African band from Soweto led by Dan Tshanda, enjoyed massive popularity in Zimbabwe during the 1980s – 90s and beyond.
Besides, “Ikoko”, the album boasts tracks like “Khetha mina”, “Egoli”, “Changamire”, “Amapantsula”, “Thank God”, “Amandla” and “Warrior”.
Tsikisayi described the project as transformative.
“It felt like a culinary journey in the arts, experimenting with ‘recipes’ by blending genres. Poetry underpins most music – rap, singing, lyricism, so the DNA was there. Collaboration is my craft, and this project came at the perfect time, aligning with who I am and what I bring.”
8 Piece Combo emerged from a songwriting and recording camp under the Music Connects Africa Programme, an initiative by the British Council in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe.
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