TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA
It is always encouraging to see the art of proper writing still alive in the country's ever-changing rap scene. And this is the case with the latest hip-hop cypher released by Bindura-based rap collective called Private Events; a cypher that treats rap as a living thing worthy of undying respect. The cypher features rap artists Irie Flower, Mindlace, Elijah Wordsmith, KrAim Wave, and Mhoks. The five artists do their best to tell their life stories in the most authentic ways they know, leaving no stone unturned as they showcase their rap mastery to the world.
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| Mindlace, Irie Flower, Elijah Wordsmith and Mhoks |
Created over a boom-bap instrumental laden with a nostalgic vibe for certain eras of rap that are no longer in vogue, the cypher comes off as living testament that there are still rappers in this country with a penchant for letting their pens do the work for them; unafraid to stretch their writing abilities for the purposes of glorifying the art form called rap in its raw essence. It comes as a refreshing experience at a time when rap sounds in Zimbabwe continuously gain more attention - and this is because this cypher is a welcome addition to an excellent palette of sounds that is already in vogue.
One gets the impression that this is a reflection of a fiercely determined underground scene that remains relentless in its quest to gain some attention, however little that attention may be. It is that type of work that you are hugely glad to have stumbled on while roaming the streets of YouTube and get a little concern after you have finished watching it that it will probably never reach as many people as may be desired. Nonetheless, you do realize that this does not diminish its greatness and likability in any way - and in any case, you immediately set off to sharing this piece of work, hoping that you may recommend it to the right type of listeners, just as this writer is doing with this brief write-up.
Even before one gets to praise the beauty of the words that the rappers set out to author, the production on this cypher is a mastery of perfection. The laid-back instrumental, with its mesmerizing concoction of well-layered kicks, snares and melody, the artists get an unrestrained chance to fully express themselves without holding anything back, and this is the type of artistry any rap fan is always on the lookout for. The production alone does a good enough job, and we are not left with any doubts as to the capabilities of the rap artists on this cypher.
Irie Flower opens up the cypher, and he does not waste any time in sending a message of what this cypher is all about - dope writing and nothing less. He crafts his words in a way that leaves a lasting imprint to the listener, and his style of delivery is a tad unconventional but all the while something you follow through with till his verse is done. There are some lines that deserve some mentioning: "Got a golden glove on call me Michael // Moonwalking on you haters ... No naysayers in my presence // Packing presents for the ghetto youths juggling drug addiction and unemployment // Still doing this rap shit for enjoyment".
He passes the baton to Mindlace who starts his verse with a rather cold opening: "It's the illest Zim lyricist zita remurwere ndiMindlace". He starts gliding over the instrumental, dishing out some doses of braggadocio wrapped in a calm demeanour. He delivers some lines worth remembering: "See maflows andoruka anovhura mayouths // See mabars paanodropper iearthquake mubooth // Hurricane I'm a natural disaster on the mic that's what I'm saying // Tongue is like a double-edged sword I'm a Viking". After him comes Elijah Wordsmith, and he justifies his name in that he is a true wordsmith out to show the brilliance of his words. He's got some ferocity in his approach, evidenced by lines such as "All I see is enemies wishing for my ending // Just because I said your favourite rapper's album is sounding like a mic check // Coldest on the mic they just pulled me out of a freezer // I can end careers over some beats and some speakers". He refuses to settle for mediocrity, declaring: "We ain't gon become a generation of trash rappers // Coz most niggas capping they just hide behind a label."
KrAim Wave takes over from Elijah Wordsmith, and he proves his mettle in being a worthy lyricist. Like every other rapper, he stakes his claim in being the best ever to do it, but does so with a touch of undoubtable excellence; something he proves over lines such as: "Check out the catalogue filled with classics // We drop bombs while your favourite's verses is ghostwritten he's a catfish ... Sipping the finest grapes, icing on the cake // Killing rappers is a sin that I gotta repent". (A special mention at this point has to go to KrAim Wave because he has got an album on the way, and it is titled Code Name: Purple.) He is very competitive in his approach, acknowledging that rap is inherently a contact sport: "Eyes closed all I see is ghosts // Killed your favourite rapper sorry for your loss ... Try to beef with me and the result is a catastrophe". Always ready for war, apparently.
Closing the cypher is Mhoks, and with a delivery backed by an enviable baritone, he concludes in a stylish manner, maintaining the pace that the previous artists before him had established. A deviation about his verse from the others is that he delivers it in his local tongue, providing some balance to the entire cypher. His verse is laden with graphic language of a sexual nature, but that's just about it. He has some lines worth mentioning nonetheless: "Bought a worksuit, sold my pyjamas // Hope hadzina ndima raised the way ... Don't take me back to 2007 // Chimodho muoven cup yetea vanhu 11 ... No rice, more bulgar // No employment njuga // Mbambaira takazadza musaga". Everyone can recall that tough period in Zimbabwe's history. And Mhoks gave a narration of how difficult life can become in Zimbabwe.
On the overall, it is a decent cypher that deserves some spins on the regular. It is a masterful showcase of the rap talent abounding in Zimbabwe; talent that should reach more and more ears.
You can watch the Private Events 2025 Cypher below:
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