By Tawanda Chari and Takudzwa Hillary Chiwanza
Tulk
Munny Dhavhidhi Zikubhanditi is rap-swag artist based in Harare. The Dakutsika
Jive hitmaker is known for his impeccable gangster verses and laid-back
crispy timeless flows. As if he is in a permanent state of being high/drunk. A
powerful art form for rap deliveries if you ask us.
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| The apt, relevant, contextual cover art for Reverse EP. "Kubva kujecha" without reverse. (Coming from low-income high density areas without reverse.) |
Tinevimbo David Chimbetete (Tulk Munny’s real name) is undeniably a savant when it comes to flow and cadence, and he never stands tongue-tied or out of options in providing a great rhythm to his loyal fanbase. You nod your head. You rap along. Almost subconsciously. Interestingly, he keeps a low profile because his rapping is all he needs to stay relevant. It’s dizzying, indisputable, and above all, timeless.
And
the low profile he keeps seems to justify hazy assertions that he partakes in
what he raps about. Yeah, cold like that. He once intimated to us that he lets
his music speak for himself because it is dope like that. And that he is more focused on pleasing his loyal fanbase (a database he is steadily building through sales of his Skiri Remufirimu album with Take Fizzo. Message him on his socials for that project, costing USD$5 or equivalent in local currencies).
Tulk Munny says his music is like marijuana on the block – the jazzman does not need advertise to the whole world that he is selling marijuana. But still, people flock to
his base on their own accord for the said marijuana. Those who truly want Tulk Munny’s music
will look for it.
When
it comes to entertaining and convincing music quality, FM Muzik is
unparalleled. He exudes a thorough, genuine understanding of musical
projections and melodies (and we say via FL Studio or whatever software he employs) because
his sound says it all. As soon as it hits your ears and brain. He is a fine
producer who enlisted the help of Tulk Munny on Reverse EP to produce arguably
one of the best Zim Hip Hop projects of 2020.
The
project largely went unnoticed (it was released at the end of 2020) but that does not bother Tulk Munny at all –
those who need his music will look for it. And in such a way he creates a
database of unwavering, loyal fans. Staunch fans. Ride-or-die fans.
Here’s
a brief breakdown of Reverse EP by FM Muzik and Tulk Munny.
Mercedes (Intro)
This
tracks highlights the materialist desires from which every urban youth cannot
extricate themselves from. The rags-to-riches narrative. The motor vehicle alluded
to in the track (which is viewed as a symbol of individual material success) is
as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside. The design language, fluid
in nature with sleek lines from the front to the rear, and the arched roofline
along with the panoramic sunroof, makes it a stunner. There is a lot of
hype surrounding the cars and the
attendant better lifestyle that comes with the attainment of a Mercedes
– lavish parties with the hottest broads, and the inevitable Instagram gwans.
The song vindicates Mercedes’ status as the bastion of luxury when it comes to
automobiles.
And
the song is totally a classic rags-to-riches story of urban success in the
context of an African continent caught up with the vicissitudes of millennial
capitalism. AKA neoliberal capitalism. If you put in the hard work,
you can spoil/reward yourself with a Mercedes-Benz.
Cautious
to spread narcissistic tendencies, the song seems to be a perfect opener for
the overarching motif of the EP – life can never move in reverse mode. Only
forward. What may be resonated by the contemporary urban slang in the streets
of Zimbabwe’s cities and towns – takaenda/zvakaendwa/takananga/kunanganisa.
And that all our toil must yield tangible results in the form of consumption of
material wealth. Rags-to-riches bruh.
Reverse
The
title track largely displays loyalty personified in the strictest terms of
street code. Tulk Munny is never selling out his homies under any circumstance.
In Tulk Munny’s consciousness of urban hustling, snitching is absolutely
unimaginable. He refuses to show the police where the drug base in the
hood is at. He actually plans on conning bogus police as revenge for scamming
them money on previous raids. The irony of it though.
Because
anyone familiar with the terrains of police shenanigans in urban areas will
tell you that these days they are looking for that money. But Tulk Munny rubbishes
the Babylon by cementing his street cred – time-wasting is not part of his
hectic schedule and no one can roll a blunt for him. Or no one can arrest him
for rolling blunts. Tulk Munny never ceases his agenda – marijuana must be
legal and he will smoke it for eternity. Which is empowering enough.
So High
Whoever
did that hook definitely has the soul of a singer. Love is beautiful and sometimes
addictive. Now, imagine for a person like Tulk Munny who professes substance-consumption
in his catalogue of timeless songs. The substances plus the love become a
straight overdose for his mind. And imagine a gevha like Tulk having
been subjected to love portions …
But
was he talking about the enigmatic euphoria of romantic relationships with his
woman or marijuana? Such ambiguity portrays Tulk Munny’s artistic freedom and
prowess – he does not shy away from evoking feelings of suspense in the
listener. We feel he could have been concretely conclusive to accommodate new
listeners but we are convinced that is what makes such listeners inclined to
more of Tulk’s music. Have your guesses, on whether he referred to his woman or
marijuana in the track So High …
Kure Kure (interlude)
Translation:
Came from way back or we have been together a long time. We intricately know each
other’s past and because of that, we share an unbreakable and unmalleable bond
of loyalty.
It
remains unclear whether it's a reference to a person or something else. It
would largely sound as if here is a bold declaration of a romantic suitor who
is unwilling to share his subject of interest with the world – “Kure Kure
kwandakabva naye … ndewangu ndega.”
Emoyeni
Life
in Africa can get unbearably hard and nothing is really ever rosy. In literally
all facets of life. War, sickness, hunger, poverty, corruption, lack of basic public
services such as education, water and sanitation, public transport, etc. make
the headlines both on the continent and in the media of Global North countries
such as America and European countries. As if perpetual poverty and conflict is
the perpetual determinant of Africa’s dynamics. And this mostly affects both
the rural and urban youth. It is a consciousness warped.
Is
Emoyeni a person's feeling or an era?? The song brings that nostalgia of
the liberation war – the spirit of freedom at that time is that same that must
envelope every youth [rural and urban] and the elderly populations as well.
Everyone is in dire need of this freedom.
The
original song that they sampled is descriptive of the difficulties liberation
war heroes went through. Emoyeni was initially composed and performed by
Light Machine Gun Choir (effectively ZIPRA’s choir) at the height of the
liberation struggle in the late 70s.
FM
Muzik and Tulk Munny convey the message that we have been stripped of our human
rights to fight for our country. But in the same vein, Emoyeni speaks of the
power of unity, and friendships that it [liberation war] was not a one man's
battle, but a concerted one. Guided by left-leaning ideologies.
This
song becomes a contradiction from the unbridled, individualistic desires for
material wealth – consumerism. By sampling a song that banked on Leftist
ideologies, FM Muzik flexes his production credentials while Tulk Munny conveys
hope for Zimbabwe, his beloved motherland.
Even
though it is searingly tough, with perennial financial challenges, people
should be determined emotionally through their vulnerability, to make a better
living.
Easily
the best song on the EP. Not because of the subject matter alone but the idea
behind the song and the immaculate production.
Work
hard even for a little. Do anything for the money because it's hard in Africa. Tulk
Munny reminds us of it's a race against time, not against other individuals. So,
we have to take it easy on how hard we push ourselves. It's work both smart and
hard. Fight against poverty.
Are
we headed for the wild?
There
is an issue with young people not being given chances in the government and any
of the important places. Tulk made a point to be careful in speaking against
the government or attempting to keep them accountable because of the ominous
disappearance of political activist Itai Dzamara.
Sunday to December
This
one is a hustler's anthem that conclusively ends REVERSE EP. Again, with
immaculate production that allows Tulk Munny to be dreamily lyrical, Sunday
to December is the ultimate motivation you need as a gevha in the
hustle, both rural and urban.
The
duo basically gave props to every hustle there is. They preach patience, saying
that when it comes to materialist desires you need to chill till you have some
substantial cash in your possession. Again, contradictory from the opening track.
But in artistic ways, as regards thematic issues, the Mercedes and Sunday to
December seamlessly intertwine. You cannot move in reverse mode in life. We
love the catchy hook and the descriptions around artisanal mining gwans.
It's
motivation to keep kicking and pushing for that money. Instrumental made the
whole concept tick. The guitar on top of the baseline was a nice touch. Sounds
like a winners song. It feels like a winner's song.
Listen to REVERSE EP by FM Muzik and Tulk Munny via this Apple Music Link. You do not want to miss this one.
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