Awa Khiwe’s Rap Gandaganda Strikes a Chord with Fans and Fellow Artists

Effort Moyo

Ndebele hip-hop sensation Awakhiwe Sibanda, popularly known as Awa Khiwe, has made a powerful return to the music scene with her latest track, Rap Gandaganda, released last week after a two-year hiatus.

Produced by Ghanaian Stallion and Outhere Records, the song quickly gained momentum, amassing over 8,800 views on YouTube within two days and sparking enthusiastic fan support on social media.

In an interview, Awa Khiwe expressed her joy at the song’s success, noting its celebration of Nkayi’s culture and how it has resonated with listeners.

“I’m so happy to see Rap Gandaganda receiving a lot of attention online. It’s been trending on social media platforms since we released the song, and today it’s approaching 25,000 views in just a couple of days. I’m very happy because I think it broke my record from previous work.

Seeing people celebrate Nkayi was the whole point to showcase our culture and to help people learn more about it. People have been telling me they saw donkey carts, grannies dancing, and singing RapGandaganda, complimenting how beautiful the video is. That makes me so happy,” she said.

Among her fans, Clive Dube praised the song for reaffirming her status as the “Ndebele Rap Queen” from Matabeleland, showcasing her dominance in hip-hop.

“It’s been a while since she released a song, so by releasing this one, she showed us that she is the Rap Queen of Hip-Hop from Matabeleland. You can hear in her rhymes that she’s a traditional person, and she has that flow that connects everything. Even in her visuals, you can see her taking her throne. I think it’s a clear message to other female rappers that she’s the one who’s got this thing,” said Dube.

‘Fere Fere’ hitmaker Lawrence Nkomazana, known as Lamas Ellz, also praised her unique voice and expressed hopes for a future collaboration.

“The song is amazing; it is beautifully done. The visuals, the script it’s a 10 out of 10. It’s truly refreshing. The energy, the flow, the lyrical delivery, it’s totally undeniable. She brings a unique voice to the genre; she’s a very important artist in Africa.

If I had the opportunity to collaborate with her, I would be open to it without any hesitation. Her authenticity shines through her music, and I believe there’s room for creativity between us. To Awa Khiwe, keep pushing, my dear this is powerful,” said Nkomazana.

With past hits like Ngeke Bangimele and accolades including Outstanding Hip-Hop Artist at the Bulawayo Arts Awards, Awa Khiwe’s comeback underscores her lasting influence on Zimbabwean hip-hop.